GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Several businesses in downtown Grand Rapids and on the northeast side felt the impact of the water boil advisory that had been in place since Sunday after a water main break near the intersection of Leonard and Union.
Some made the difficult decision to close their doors while others operated with limited food and drinking options. Business owners who are getting back into the swing of things say they are elated to be returning back to normal.
Clint Penokie, owner of Pita Way at 2044 East Beltline Avenue NE, is relieved after having to make the tough decision to postpone the grand opening of his restaurant in the best interest of his customers. With water now safe to drink and use again, he says the safety of customers remains their top priority.
“It’s a great day today, we finally were able to open our doors and we’re taking the necessary precautions to ensure that,” Penokie said.
Precautions to keep his customers and employees safe, even though it came with the heavy price of missing out on business. 13 ON YOUR SIDE shared Penokie’s story on Monday. Wednesday, he was able to open his doors for the first time.
“The setback was a little disheartening because we were all amped up to open on Monday, but things happen that we can't control,” Penokie said. "We took the adversity and flipped it and we are ready to take care of business.”
Marco Ruiz-Wrobbel with Brewery Vivant is ready to serve up a full menu to customers. The last few days, he had to offer a limited menu to fewer customers than normal out of precaution. He says after the brewery survived the COVID-19 pandemic, he knew his team would get through the challenge.
“We're super excited to be able to get back to our full menu service, being able to shape up cocktails, being able to serve any and everything that we have on the menu for all of the guests that we have coming through our doors,” Ruiz-Wrobbel said.
Back at Pita Way, customers were excited to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening. Customers started coming in minutes after the store opened – a sight Penokie had been waiting to see.
“We decided that we wanted to come today due to them not being able to open on the grand opening day on Monday and we wanted to be able to support them and their business on their opening day,” Ridley Duncan said.
“I would want to come back definitely, and I would probably like try as many things as I want because this is actually so good.” I had a sandwich, and it was so good,” Angeleah Cordova said.
Both businesses say even though the advisory has been lifted, they will continue to take the necessary precautions to keep their employees and customers safe.
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