Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could this new Division Avenue market launch your next creative side hustle?

Happening soon: Betka Pope Productions presents Trivi-YAH! on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Grand Rapids? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could this new Division Avenue market launch your next creative side hustle?
  • How will GRCC change under its new president starting in 2026?
  • How a downtown garden just secured its 2026 comeback

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 40 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cloudy with a bit of rain, temps: high: 51, low: 27.
  • Monday: Snow showers, 1-3", with a high of 30 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• Downtown Grand Rapids building to be converted into artist marketplace (mlive.com) — A long-vacant building at South Division and Cherry in downtown Grand Rapids is being turned into a large vendor marketplace for artists and second-hand sellers, with opening targeted for March 1, 2026. Local creator-entrepreneurs will be able to rent booths or wall space at relatively modest monthly rates, adding fresh energy to the South Division retail corridor.
   

• New Grand Rapids Community College president will take over in 2026 (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids Community College has chosen higher-ed veteran Kathryn Rogalski as its next president, with her tenure expected to begin in early 2026. Her leadership will shape GRCC’s academic direction, workforce partnerships, and student success efforts after a turbulent presidential transition.
   

• Downtown Grand Rapids community garden to return in 2026 (mlive.com) — A downtown Grand Rapids community garden near the Las Canchas futsal courts will return for the 2026 season, backed by $53,000 from the Downtown Development Authority. The funding will support Jade Rabbit’s urban agriculture programming, new equipment, and supplies for irrigated planter beds prioritized for downtown residents without yards, aiming to boost food access and neighborhood connections.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello, I'm looking for my handsome boy.
    He's not even a year old and got out. I live in pinebrook village trailer park. He means the world to my kids and me. We lost his mother when he was… (Nextdoor Kentwood)
  • Merry Christmas everyone!
    My grandma found a French Bulldog running loose near Marshall and Merritt in Alger Heights. She has it now. Does anyone know whose dog this is? (Nextdoor Creston)
  • Suburban Inns posted a job opening for Facilities Manager - Hilton Garden Inn GR in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Concord Hospitality posted a job opening for Housekeeper Room Care in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

🗞 Nearby News

East Grand Rapids

  • Check out the latest state hockey rankings (mlive.com)

Walker

  • What's global is local: Soaring gold and silver prices come home to local shop (fox17online.com)
  • Hello, Grand Rapids: Why this DeVos, Van Andel project got $560.9M in tax incentives (mlive.com)

Wyoming

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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