News Summary
The Green Well, a beloved restaurant in Grand Rapids known for its American cuisine and brunch offerings, will permanently close on August 16. The decision comes as the restaurant group, Essence Restaurant Group, rebrands and focuses on its other establishments due to rising operational costs and changing dining trends. Customers can enjoy popular menu items during the restaurant’s final week, while the affected staff will be reassigned to other locations within the group.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – The Green Well, a well-respected restaurant in Grand Rapids, will permanently close its doors on Saturday, August 16, ending nearly two decades of service to the community. The restaurant, owned by Essence Restaurant Group (ERG), has become a staple known for its American cuisine and innovative cocktails, particularly popular for brunch. The decision to close comes as ERG prepares to rebrand itself as Essence Hospitality Group (EHG) and shift its focus to three other establishments: Bistro Bella Vita, Grove, and Lucy’s Café.
The closure of The Green Well comes after a careful evaluation by EHG, which determined that the restaurant’s performance had not matched the success levels of its other properties. The decision not to renew the lease was also influenced by rising operational costs and changing dining trends that have affected many eateries across the region. In the restaurant’s final weeks, diners will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of previous popular menu items.
James Berg, Managing Partner of EHG, reflected on The Green Well’s significant role in enhancing the dining culture in Grand Rapids. He highlighted the restaurant’s community impact, showcasing pride in its contributions over the years. To support the transition, staff from The Green Well will be reassigned to other EHG restaurants whenever possible, helping to mitigate the impact of the closure on employees.
The operating hours during the restaurant’s final week will be as follows:
- Friday & Saturday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Closed on Mondays.
The closure comes amidst a broader pattern of restaurant shutdowns in Grand Rapids, as economic hardships and inflation continue to challenge the food service industry. Rising operational costs have led to difficult decisions for many establishments, and The Green Well is one of several to face these changes recently. EHG has committed to assisting approximately 20 employees affected by the closure in finding new job opportunities, either within the other EHG restaurants or through networking connections.
This decision to restructure signifies a shift for EHG as it aims to reallocate resources to restaurants that have seen better performance. The owners have expressed a commitment to supporting local businesses and restaurants amid evolving dining habits, a challenge facing many in the food industry today.
The Green Well’s legacy will continue in the memories of its patrons, who cherished its unique menu and inviting atmosphere. As it prepares for its last week of operation, the restaurant’s team encourages the community to support local dining establishments. Through this support, they hope to bolster the local economy and maintain the vibrant dining culture that Grand Rapids is known for.
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Additional Resources
- WZZM13: The Green Well Closing for Good
- FOX17: The Green Well Restaurant Announces Closure
- MLive: Popular Grand Rapids Restaurant Closing
- WOODTV: Final Chapter for Longtime Grand Rapids Restaurant
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: The Green Well Closing After 18 Years
- Wikipedia: Restaurant
- Google Search: Grand Rapids restaurant closures
- Google Scholar: restaurant industry challenges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: restaurant
- Google News: Grand Rapids restaurant closure
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
