How Grand Rapids' Eastown Became a Haven for LGBTQ+ Community
Intentional inclusivity at the heart of this welcoming collection of queer-owned and welcoming businesses
Just outside downtown Grand Rapids, there's a neighborhood where rainbow crosswalks brighten the streets year-round, where banned books find sanctuary on open shelves and where a cup of coffee comes with an unconditional promise of acceptance. This is Eastown, a historic district that has evolved into one of West Michigan's most vibrant LGBTQ-inclusive communities.
The transformation of this early 20th-century neighborhood into a beacon of inclusivity didn't happen by accident. It's the result of intentional efforts by business owners, community leaders and residents who understand that creating safe spaces requires more than just hanging a Pride flag in the window.
The Eastown Community Association (ECA) has made diversity, equity and inclusion central to its mission, according to Stephen Staggs, ECA’s program coordinator. "During last year's strategic planning session, the ECA Board of Directors settled on three strategic goals for 2024, one of which was to increase our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts," he says.
These efforts have yielded impressive results. According to Staggs, 93% of businesses at their Bizarre Bazaar event and 85% at Streetfair were owned by racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. And the neighborhood's annual Pride Crosswalk Refresh every June has become a cherished tradition, symbolizing the permanent welcome extended to the LGBTQ+ community.
Community engagement runs deep in Eastown. According to Staggs, last year alone, 415 residents volunteered their time for various neighborhood initiatives, from clean-ups to family-friendly activities. The ECA has partnered with organizations like the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation and Grand Rapids Pride Center to expand their programming and reach, he says. Staggs reports that their Community Bike Ride Program, developed in partnership with the MLK Park Neighborhood Association, creates another avenue for inclusive community building, while their community garden program has been revived post-Covid with an explicit focus on creating an all-inclusive, welcoming environment.
Walking down Wealthy Street, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, visitors encounter a diverse array of queer-owned and queer-friendly businesses that form Eastown’s backbone. Visitors and residents often start their mornings at Good Judy's (1146 Wealthy St. SE), a gay-owned juice bar where fresh-pressed fruit creations come with a side of social consciousness. The bright, healthy space sources its products primarily from businesses founded by women, persons of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
For those seeking comfort food with a twist, Basalt (1450 Wealthy St. SE) offers what the Mexican-influenced cafe describes as being "like a diner, but better." This queer-owned establishment masterfully balances dive bar charm with hipster elegance, serving up unique tacos and thoughtful vegetarian options. Their motto — "all kinds, except the unkind, are welcome here" — perfectly encapsulates Eastown's welcoming spirit.
The neighborhood's shopping scene reflects its celebratory approach to individuality. The quirky Rebel gift shop (1555 Wealthy St. SE) and its sister store, Sticky Fingers (1503 Lake Dr. SE), offer a delightful mix of unique gifts and nostalgic candy treats. Nearby Fox Naturals (619 Wealthy St. SE) provides locally crafted skincare and beauty products in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Just down the street, another testament to Grand Rapid’s increasingly inclusive spirit can be found at Chartreuse Sisters, a micro bakery café housed in a renovated 1900s drugstore. The queer-owned business, run by two sisters with deep roots in the neighborhood, represents the area's evolution. "Being a queer-owned business, it is important for us to provide a safe space for our community," sisters Alyson and Mallory Caillaud-Jones told Pride Source via email. "We grew up in Eastown and have seen the neighborhood evolve to include many more queer-inclusive and owned businesses."
Their vision for the space reflects both historical appreciation and modern inclusivity: "We are a micro bakery cafe run by two sisters who renovated a 1900s drugstore to create a community space where historical charm meets elegant decor reminiscent of a European Café." Their goal, they say, is "to create an inclusive space for people looking to experience elevated, innovative pastries, lattes and teas."
The heart of this transformation can be found in places like Lotus Brew (211 Diamond St. SE), which has evolved from humble beginnings. Owner Max Freeman recalls, "We started off as a small stall in the Fulton Street Farmers Market and grew into a coffee shop a year or so later. I've had a unique experience where I got to talk directly with my community about the changes they want to see and the spaces they want to uphold. A lot of what we do started with us asking, 'What can we do better as a supportive space?'"
Freeman's commitment to community support takes many forms. "We started a banned book library that's completely free to the public and has a 92% return rate, as well as a community pantry and a kindness cup program," he explains. The shop's kindness cup fund ensures that "anyone in need" can get a drink, Freeman explains, with community members able to donate to support the program's 30-drink limit.
Lotus Brew’s mission extends beyond immediate community needs. "The kindness cup, pantry, library and shop space are free to use with no expectation of supporting the space. We've even been listed recently as a city warming center as well," Freeman says. "A lot of folks want to support our mission and we eventually made a change to the kindness cup fund where half would support the space and the other half would support the community fund."
Lotus Brew’s commitment to fair labor practices is equally strong. "Both on the community and business side we push to do better. Our baristas start at $20 an hour base [pay] and keep whatever tips they make," Freeman notes, adding an important reminder about workers' rights: "It's illegal for restaurant owners to take tips.” He often urges workers to understand their rights.
For Freeman, creating this kind of inclusive space is deeply personal. "I poured so much of myself into this because it's the right thing to do," he says. "There was a need for a community space that accepts folks as they are and a good night alternative that was alcohol-free. We started a lot of social groups from this to foster a community where folks could meet others, date and make lifelong friends and found family."
The impact of these efforts is visible in the daily transformations that occur within these spaces. "I've seen folks come in for the first time; they're apprehensive, nervous and possibly just starting to come out or accept themselves," Freeman shares. "I've seen that anxiety melt away slowly where they start to make friends, wear more gender-affirming clothing and [are] able to breathe and live as their true selves."
In the face of current political challenges, Freeman remains determined. "The current political climate is impacting everyone very hard. Everything on the government's side along with the tech oligarchies blatantly supporting a fascist clown,” he notes, adding that Lotus Brew’s community library was created to “preserve our history.” Physical media, he says, can be a radical act. “Our space was made to be a sanctuary and gathering space for folks not only to find family but also to organize and come together as a community.”
As Eastown continues to evolve and face evolving challenges for queer individuals and families, Freeman's message to the community resonates with both realism and hope, and the spirit of a neighborhood that really does feel like sanctuary in a challenging era: "I can't promise my community everything will be OK. I can promise that there is hope and strength in numbers. We will do everything in our power to support this hope in any way we can. You are not alone, you are loved and welcome as you are. We will always be there for you — I'm so glad you're still here."
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