1. Sparrow's Coffee will be setting up shop in a new full-service cafe at Kingma's Market on Plainfield Avenue.
The specialty roaster will be on the southeast corner at Marywood but connected internally as well. Grab delicious espresso-based brinks, lattes, corridos, as well as drip coffee, cold brew, and beyond.
There will also be baked goods, and snag bags of Sparrows and Joven Coffee.
There are plans for an outdoor patio too. There's no opening date yet.
2. A new restaurant opens in Grand Rapids this week. Hamburger Mary's, a gay-themed and LGBRQ friendly restaurant, will open their doors this weekend.
They're right off 28th Street between Kraft and Cascade. The national burger chain is known for its unique dining experience.
The owner says they'll have something special planned every night of the week like karaoke, game and trivia nights, drag day bingo, and full production drag shows on the weekends.
The restaurant is only allowing 35 percent capacity for the time being, with plans to open up for lunch in the coming weeks.
Look for updates on their social media pages.
3. Guiding Light is getting a $25,000 grant to support its "Back-to-Work" program.
The grant, provided by TCF Financial Corporation, will allow the nonprofit to re-establish its Emergency Assistance Fund, that's run dry due to extra expenses related to the pandemic.
Guiding Light will use the money to pay for uniforms, steel-toed boots, tools, and bus passes for men who are working to pay down their debt, as they transition to independent housing.
4. Gun Lake Casino is hosting a fundraiser for Toys For Tots next month, Wheels on Reels, taking place on November 8.
Gun Lake will have two drive-in movies playing at the west entrance of the casino.
Members of the Marine Corps Reserve will also be there, collecting new and unwrapped toy donations.
Donors are eligible for movie concessions and free slot play.
5. We saw a jump in board-game sales at the beginning of the pandemic, and it seems to be happening again.
A lot of families are turning to Monopoly. Hasbro has reported a 21 percent jump in sales.
They're also seeing an increase in Star Wars and Mandalorian toys.
However, the company's overall revenue dropped 4 percent because of TV and film production delays.
