Good Morning Grand Rapids!

It’s Veterans Day (veterans, you eat free today, details below), and the weekend is packed: Comic Con, Gabriel Iglesias, Maybe Happy Ending and your last chance at Restaurant Week deals. Cosplay optional, appetite required!

Let’s get into it! 🦸

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

⛪ The Debate Over St. James Church: A Grand Rapids investment firm, Beckett Industries, is nearing a deal to buy St. James Catholic Church on Bridge Street NW, tear it down and build about 240 apartments in a $55 million project. The 150-year-old church has sat empty since its final Mass in June 2022. The diocese plans to save some of the stained glass, and Beckett says it will give bricks to former parishioners. It still needs city rezoning approval, and the story drew more than 1,000 comments on Facebook in a day. Want a say? The West Grand Neighborhood Organization meets this Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 PM at Jackson Street Hall.

🌭 Portillo’s Is Headed to 28th Street: The Chicago chain famous for hot dogs, Italian beef and cake shakes has filed plans for a restaurant at 3119 28th St. SE in Kentwood, near Woodland Mall, with a drive-thru and 80 parking spots. The building plans went before Kentwood’s Planning Commission this week. No opening date yet, and the closest Portillo’s right now are on the east side of the state in Livonia and Sterling Heights.

🏠 Housing Program Plans Expansion: Heartside Landings, Dégagé Ministries’ transitional housing program for chronically homeless adults, is planning a second location as it nears its third anniversary. Dégagé is buying a building at 670 Burton St. SE from Bethany Christian Services that would house up to 36 men and women with disabilities. Residents get 24/7 staff support and onsite doctor visits, then move to a regular lease within 18 to 24 months. The results so far: 100% of residents housed, ER visits down 83% and EMS calls down 91%. Burton Street Landings could open in July 2027, pending city approval.

🧠 New Bilingual Exhibit at the Museum: The Grand Rapids Public Museum is opening “AlgreMENTE | Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections” this Saturday, Nov. 14. The English-Spanish traveling exhibit from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry shows how everyday play and interaction build little kids’ brains, with hands-on spaces where families can dance, play and explore together. It’s included with general admission and runs through May 2.

🎖️ Local Veterans Find Civilian Jobs: The Defense Department’s SkillBridge program lets service members spend their last 180 days of service in civilian internships or apprenticeships while the military keeps paying them, so it’s free for employers. GE Aerospace in Grand Rapids has brought on seven veterans through it, all of whom were placed in jobs, including former Air Force F-15 crew chief Rob Norman. Only about 15 Grand Rapids companies take part, and participants are urging more local businesses of any size to sign up.

🎺 West Michigan Marching Bands Clean Up at State: West Michigan bands swept the state championship titles at the MCBA State Finals at Ford Field. Rockford won Flight I, Jenison won Flight II for its ninth straight title, Reeths-Puffer took Flight III, Lakeshore won Flight IV and Grant won Flight V. Rockford, Jenison, Grandville, Allegan and Reeths-Puffer head to Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis this week, Nov. 12–14.

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Wednesday, November 11

Veterans Eat Free Today - 30+ spots around Kent County - Free meals for veterans at local favorites like Russ’, Anna’s House, HopCat and Brann’s, plus chains like Texas Roadhouse, Applebee’s and Golden Corral. Bring proof of service and call ahead, since deals vary by location. Free for veterans / All day

Griffins vs. Rockford IceHogs - Van Andel Arena - A Veterans Day morning puck drop. It’s the Griffins’ School Day Game and another Winning Wednesday. Prices vary / 11 AM

Maybe Happy Ending - DeVos Performance Hall - The Tony-winning robot love story kicks off the Broadway Grand Rapids season this week. Prices vary / 7:30 PM

Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony - Calvin University Commons Lawn - A short flag raising to mark Veterans Day and Remembrance Day. Free / 12 PM

Gallery Chat: Abstract Art - Grand Rapids Art Museum - A guided conversation in the galleries about abstract art. Included with admission / 1 PM

Tails & Tales: Read to Therapy Dogs - GRPL Van Belkum Branch - Kids practice reading out loud to a friendly licensed therapy dog. Free / 6 PM

Family Storytime - GRPL Seymour Branch - Books, songs and an art activity for ages 0–5. Free / 10:30 AM

Restaurant Week GR Continues - Restaurants across Kent County - Only a few days left to grab $25, $35 and $45 multi-course menus. Runs through Sat, Nov. 14

Thursday, November 12

Hot Water Music - The Pyramid Scheme - The Gainesville punk legends headline a stacked bill with Signals Midwest, Rodeo Boys and Singing Lungs. 6:30 PM

Kevin Bozeman - Dr. Grins at The B.O.B. - Stand-up to kick off a three-show run downtown. 8 PM

Bryan Andrews - The Stache at The Intersection - An intimate pop-rock show in the smallest room at The Intersection. 8 PM

Free Thursday Night at the GRAM - Grand Rapids Art Museum - Free admission every Thursday evening. Free / From 5 PM

Dueling Pianos at Horrocks - Horrocks Market, Kentwood - Shout out song requests and sing along while you shop or grab a drink from the tavern. Shows at Horrocks are free. Free / 5–8 PM

Maybe Happy Ending - DeVos Performance Hall - Another night of the Broadway tour’s stop in GR. Prices vary / 7:30 PM

Stuffed Animal Sleepover - GRPL Madison Square Branch - A bedtime story and craft, then kids leave their stuffies at the library overnight for a sleepover adventure. Free / 6 PM

Dungeons & Dragons for Teens - Main Library - Drop-in D&D sessions for teens. Free / 4–7 PM

Friday, November 13

Grand Rapids Comic Con Day 1 - DeVos Place - Celebrity guests including Jodi Benson and Amy Jo Johnson, plus cosplay, vendors, gaming and a film festival. Prices vary / 12–7 PM

Gabriel Iglesias - Van Andel Arena - Fluffy brings his arena stand-up tour downtown. Prices vary / 8 PM

Holiday Tree Lighting - Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids, 350 84th St SW - Kick off the holiday season with the outlets’ annual tree lighting celebration, a family night with over 2,000 people interested on Facebook. 5:30–7:30 PM

Duff Goldman: The Tao of Duff - Wealthy Theatre - The Ace of Cakes star brings his live show to Wealthy Street. 7 PM

Grand Rapids Symphony: Coffee with Bob - Royce Auditorium at St. Cecilia - A Symphony concert in one of the most beautiful rooms in town. 7:30 PM

Kevin Bozeman - Dr. Grins at The B.O.B. - Two chances to catch him tonight. 7:15 PM & 9:45 PM

Resavoir + Harmolodics - The Pyramid Scheme - Chicago’s jazz-meets-hip-hop collective for a mellow Friday night. 7 PM

Calvin Symphonic Band: Voices of the Americas - Calvin University - A free concert in the Covenant Fine Arts Center. Free / 7:30 PM

Calvin Improv - Calvin University - A free night of student improv comedy. Doors at 7. Free / 8 PM

Maybe Happy Ending - DeVos Performance Hall - Date night idea: the feel-good Broadway musical of the year. Prices vary / 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 14

Grand Rapids Comic Con Day 2 - DeVos Place - The busiest day of the con, with autographs, panels and meet-and-greets. Prices vary / 10 AM–7 PM

Gavin Adcock - Van Andel Arena - The rising country star brings his headlining tour downtown. Prices vary / 7 PM

Christmas Market at Alaska Haus - Alaska Haus, 7465 68th St SE, Caledonia - The most popular event on Facebook this week, with nearly 4,000 people interested. A curated market of boutique clothing, kids’ goods, art, home décor and jewelry for knocking out Christmas gifts. 9 AM–2 PM

Byron Center Craft Show - 8500 Burlingame Ave SW, Byron Center - A big annual craft show run by the Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters. $3 / 9 AM

Leslie Jones: I’m Hot Tour - The Big Room - The SNL alum’s stand-up show is already sold out, so check resale if you missed it. Sold out / 7 PM

Choir! Choir! Choir! Presents Landslide: An Epic Fleetwood Mac Singalong - The Pyramid Scheme - The whole crowd learns the harmonies and sings Fleetwood Mac together. 5 PM & 8 PM

Boogie T - The Intersection - Heavy bass for a late Saturday night. 9 PM

Grand Rapids Ballet: Fall Showcase - Peter Martin Wege Theatre - The ballet’s fall program as an afternoon matinee. 2 PM

Davenport vs. Grand Valley State - Davenport University, Caledonia - A West Michigan college football matchup. 12 PM

Drop-In Studio: Fabric Wall Hanging - Grand Rapids Art Museum - Stop in anytime and make your own fabric wall hanging. Included with admission / 11 AM–3 PM

Dinovember Dance Party & Storytime - GRPL Van Belkum Branch - Dinosaur stories, songs and crafts for ages 0–11. Free / 10:30 AM

Calvin Wind Ensemble: Holding Tensions - Calvin University - A free wind ensemble concert in the Covenant Fine Arts Center. Free / 7:30 PM

Sunday, November 15

Pentatonix: Christmas in the City Tour - Van Andel Arena - The a cappella superstars officially kick off the holiday season. Listings disagree on 6 or 6:30 PM, so check your ticket. Prices vary / 6 PM

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - John Bonham’s son plays his dad’s Zeppelin classics. 7 PM

Redferrin - Elevation at The Intersection - Country with a gritty edge. 7:30 PM

Grand Rapids Comic Con Final Day - DeVos Place - Last chance for autographs and vendor deals. Prices vary / 10 AM–5 PM

Maybe Happy Ending - DeVos Performance Hall - Final two performances of the run. Prices vary / 1 PM & 6:30 PM

Grand Rapids Ballet: Fall Showcase - Peter Martin Wege Theatre - The second and final showcase matinee. 2 PM

Community Quilting Day with Treetops Collective - Grand Rapids Art Museum - Sew and quilt alongside neighbors at the GRAM. Free / 10 AM–3 PM

Calvin Gospel Choir Concert - Calvin University - A free Sunday afternoon of gospel music. Free / 4 PM

MDOP + Tonguecutter + Boob Sweat + Dog Skull - The Pyramid Scheme - A loud lineup to close out the weekend. 7 PM

💎 Hidden Gems This Week

Smaller stuff we dug up on Facebook that you won’t find on the big lists.

200 Years of Louis Campau - 254 Fulton St E - The Grand Rapids Historical Society marks 200 years since the city’s founder arrived at the rapids in November 1826, from fur trader to the man who bought what’s now downtown. Doors and cash bar at 6, program at 7. Thu 6 PM

NovemberFest - GR Auto Gallery, 4722 50th St SE - The 16th annual open house party with free food, drinks and a showroom full of cool cars. Free / Fri 6–9 PM

Black Love. Black Voices. Black Futures. - GR African American Museum & Archives, 41 Sheldon Ave SE - An evening of art, poetry and music featuring jessica Care moore, plus the trailer for the local documentary “A City Within a City.” Free, donation requested / Fri 6 PM

Holiday Open House - The Cheese Lady, 315 Fuller Ave NE - Cheese and wine pairings, samples, prizes and a free tote with a $100 purchase. Free entry / Sat 10 AM–3 PM

Chili Cook-Off & Bake Sale - Fox Powersports, 720 44th St SW, Wyoming - Pay $5, taste every chili and vote for the winner, all benefiting Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. $5 / Sat 12 PM

Cranksgiving - Grand Rapids Bicycle Co., 1311 Fulton St E - A bike ride meets scavenger hunt meets food drive. Bring a bike, a lock, a bag and $15–$20 to buy groceries for Meals on Wheels Western Michigan. Free to ride / Sat 2 PM registration, 3 PM start

Grand Rapids Comedy Jam - Ambrosia Theater - Three touring comics and a host in an intimate BYOB room. $25 advance, $30 at the door / Sat 8 PM

Hygge Night with Silent Book Club - GRPL Yankee Clipper Branch - Bring a book and settle in for a cozy, quiet evening of reading in good company. Free / Mon 6 PM

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Annie – Grand Rapids Civic Theatre – The sun’ll come out tomorrow: Civic’s holiday musical about the famous orphan opens just in time for family theater season. – Opens November 20, 2026 / Times vary / Prices vary

ENLIGHTEN at Meijer Gardens – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – The Gardens’ big winter light show returns for the holiday season. – Opens November 23, 2026 / Times vary / Prices vary

Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival – DeVos Place – Wine, beer, spirits and food from local and international makers. Over 1,500 people are already interested on Facebook. – November 20–21, 2026 / Times vary / Prices vary

🇺🇸 To every veteran reading this: thank you for your service.