Tag Archives: Bob O’Callaghan

Chamber celebrates local businesses as it has its first annual meeting in two years

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Weller Team accepts award for Manufacturer of the Year
Blue Frost IT accepts the Volunteer of the Year award.
ServicePro South and Northwest GR accepts the Service Business of the Year award.
Craig’s Cruiser’s Cait Black accepts the Retail Business of the Year award.
New Chamber President and CEO Keith Morgan with his wife.
Bob O’Callaghan accepts a proclamation in honor of his contributions from State Senator Mark Huizinga.

It was a night of celebration as the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, the first since COVID pandemic in 2020.

Along with celebrating the annual award recipients, the event, which this year was held at Crossroads Conference Center off of Clay Avenue, also gave members and local officials the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of President and CEO Bob Callaghan. In November, O’Callaghan announced his retirement from the chamber after working with Chamber for past 30-plus years, the last nine as its president and CEO.

 

“I can’t even guess how many feet of ribbon you have cut over the course of time, but I have been there for a lot of those ribbon cuttings and it is always important for new businesses to see that we are committed to them,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll during a recent Government Matters, which is hosted by the Chamber and broadcast by WKTV.

“Thank you for all you have done to help the small business, the big businesses, businesses in general especially in these tough, tough times,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley during the Government Matters meeting. “ We really appreciate all that you did.”

For his years of service, O’Callaghan was awarded with the Gerald E. Fessell Distinguished Service Award. O’Callaghan thanked everyone at the meeting, stating he has some wonderful memories and hopes to remain in touch with many who were in attendance at the meeting.

The Chamber’s new president and CEO, Keith Morgan, also spoke during the event. He talked about the challenges many have faced due to COVID and how the Chamber is beginning to look at what it offers and will be offering some new and exciting opportunities to members.

Award recipients

Receiving the Retail Business of Year Award was Craig’s Cruisers, located at 5730 Clyde Park Ave. SW. With around 120,000 square feet, Craig’s Cruisers is one of the largest indoor, and outdoor, recreation facilities in the area, offering go carts, mini golf, an indoor roller coaster, laser tag, and a wide selection of games. The facility also has a 700-capactiy seating restaurant, which is the largest seating capacity restaurant in Kent County.

Receiving the Manufacturer of the Year Award was Weller Truck Parks, 1500 Gezon Parkway SW, Wyoming. Weller Truck Parks is a re-manufacturer of heavy- and medium-duty drive tran components for the transportation industry. The company has been based in Wyoming since the 1970s and now has 36 locations distributing its products and employs around 1,000 people.

Receiving the Linda Harbor Service Business of the Year Award went to ServPro of South and Northwest Grand Rapids, which is based in Jenison. As sales rep Mike Nix puts it “Typically if you are calling us you are not having a very good day but we are here to make sure things are done right and on the first time.” ServPro of South and Northwest Grand Rapids is a full service restoration business. It offers fire and water cleanup, mold remediation, biohazard cleanup up as well as construction site services.

Volunteer of the Year Award went to Blue Frost IT. Owners Allen and Ashlynne Gilbert, said when they formed their IT company, they made the commitment to give back to their company and they wanted to see firsthand what their support was doing for the community they serve, often working hand-in-hand with the charitable organizations. Blue Frost IT has worked with UCOM and Family Network of Wyoming as well as served as ambassadors and on the foundation board for the Chamber.

This year’s Committee of the Year Award went to the Government Matters group. At the beginning of each month, the Government Mattes Committee brings together local government officials who discuss things taking place in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, on the state level and nationally as well. 

Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber seeking new leader as longtime president steps down

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From left to right, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. Chamber member Kathy Bates and Chamber President Bob O’Callaghan at one of the candidate forums hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce . (Supplied)

By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Community Writer

Nine years after taking the helm of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Bob O’Callaghan is ready to let someone else steer the ship. He plans to retire at the end of this year.

 

As president and CEO of the chamber, it’s O’Callaghan’s job to help businesses in Kentwood and Wyoming grow stronger.

“I get asked once a week, ‘What do you do? What is your job?’” he said. “I’m a connector. I connect businesses to other businesses to help them grow, and give them a chance to do more business.”

Bob O’Callaghan helping to promote the 28th Street Metro Cruise which expanded to Woodland Mall in 2021. (WKTV)

More than 400 businesses are members of the chamber, and most of them – around 70 percent in recent years – are actively involved. Those businesses have representatives serving on committees and offering volunteers to staff the chamber’s many events.

As he looks back on his years of service, O’Callaghan says the group’s community involvement is his proudest achievement. 

 

“We look at ourselves as a community chamber,” he said. “Some of our events, like the 28th Street Metro Cruise, the Santa parade, and the Government Matters meetings … are really huge because it gives exposure to the chamber and gets information out that’s sometimes not out to the general public.”

O’Callaghan has been involved with the chamber in some capacity for three decades. Prior to leading the group, he served on various committees and on the board of directors. In nearly 30 years with the chamber, he has seen both Kentwood and Wyoming become much more diverse cities. And he witnessed those cities go through bad times and good.

 

Chef Joseff VanHorn with Bob O’Callaghan who has been a champion to local businesses for 30 years, 9 as the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s president/CEO. (WKTV)

During the Great Recession of 2007-2009, Wyoming saw the General Motors plant on 36th Street, the Studio 28 movie theater and Classic Chevrolet, one of the biggest Chevrolet dealers in Michigan, close within three weeks of each other. 

“Everyone was down in the mouth and asking ‘Are we ever going to come back,’” he said. “To see that devastation and to see how we’ve come back – COVID has been a kick in the rear again, but before that, everything was going well. There weren’t a lot of empty buildings available, people had staff, the economy was good. So it was nice to see that come back, and I think it will again. COVID is just a temporary setback on the business community.”

He acknowledges that businesses everywhere are struggling now with lack of staff due to COVID. He hopes some of the biggest businesses in the area, like Metro Health, Lacks and Steelcase, might be on the leading edge of finding new ways to attract and retain employees.

“They are going to have to change the way they operate in regards to employment, and the bigger companies will be leading the way to take us forward,” he said. “Once we get over this shortage of people – however we do that – I think you’ll see some changes in how things are done.”

O’Callaghan said more than 70 people, who are hoping to serve as his replacement, have already been interviewed, and the final candidates will be narrowed down after Thanksgiving.

His last official event will be the chamber’s annual meeting on Jan. 28.

 

At the Santa Parade, which this year will be Saturday, Dec. 11, Bob O’Callaghan would often ride in the vehicle that pulls Santa. (WKTV)

“It’s kind of a great way to go out,” he said.

But before that, he’ll have one last Santa parade – one of his favorite chamber events – to participate in. The parade is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, and runs down South Division Avenue from 33rd Street to 44th Street.

“I have been fortunate enough to ride in the vehicle that pulls Santa. Nobody sees me, of course, but I would see the kids waving, and mom and dad smiling and taking pictures. That’s a really good feeling when you see that happening. We’re doing something in our community that’s needed,” he said. “There are years I come back and I don’t feel my feet are touching the ground.”

Cars are the stars at the 14th annual 28th Street Metro Cruise

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

For your traffic report this weekend, expect 28th Street to be packed full of hot rods, classic and vintage cars as the 2018 28th Street Metro Cruise takes place this Friday and Saturday.

 

The epicenter of the two-day event will once again be Rogers Plaza, where there will be food, vendors, the Pin Up Girl Contest, and of course cars, cars, and more cars. WKTV also will be on site recording the 14th annual event.

 

“The love affair West Michigan, and the entire county, has with the classic and collector cars is still going strong,” said Bob O’Callaghan, the president of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization that hosts the annual event. “We know the cars are the stars and always will be. We invite every type of car and car lover to attend our two-day showcase to celebrate these cars.”

 

Started in 2005 as a way to bring business back to 28th Street during the construction of the M-6 bypass, the event has grown to an annual attendance of more than 275,000 visitors in 2017 and more than 15,000 classic cars including hot rods, muscle cars, low riders, antiques and many more. The family-friendly event is 15 miles of cars, fun, and history running from Grandville to Cascade. 

 

Get a pre-look at the cars with the Blessing of the Cars, which takes place Thursday, Aug. 23 from 5 – 9 p.m at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, 1120 32nd St. SW. The lot will be open for cars starting at 5 p.m. Cars should enter off of 32nd Street or Michael Avenue. 

 

The 2018 Metro Cruise kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24. The alternative Latin rock group Cabildo will be on the main stage at 4:30 p.m., followed by local favorite, Delilah DeWylde at 7:30 p.m. performing a range of hillbilly and blues. Friday closes at 10 p.m.

 

Saturday, Aug. 25, kicks off at 9 a.m. with the opening ceremonies which will include the GM Foundation presentation to local charities. 

 

“We have a few new things this year,” O’Callaghan said.  “Among the activities, we will have the Midwest Mobile Dyno on hand for car owners to test their vehicles.”

 

For us non-motorheads, a dyno or dynamometer is a device for measuring force, torque, or power. Spots for the dyno had to be pre-booked (cost is $30). There is a free spectators viewing area near the test site which will be close to the Jet’s Pizza on the east end of the plaza. The testing will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

 

There will be a Walk-Up Pinewood Derby Racing event from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Hosted by Boy Scout Troops 354, 312, and 318, visitors can bring a car, build a car, or use one that is available. Derby car kits will be available for purchase on the day of the event. The Pinewood Derby will be in the Metro Square at Rogers Plaza. 

 

The music starts at 11:30 a.m. with the Seventh Son Blues Band and breaks at 2 p.m. for the the 2018 Pin Up Girl Contest. At 3:30 p.m. performing rock hits and covers is Mid-Life Crisis with southern rock country Bourbon Legends performing at 6:30 p.m. 

 

Known as “Mr. Walleye at Night,” Mark Martin will be at Steve’s Antique Auto Repair’s Booth located at Rogers Plaza. Martin is a fishing promoter, who travels extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada for tournaments, tv shows, and other events to teach walleye wisdom and lead children’ fishing clinics. At Metro Cruise, Martin — who will be there both Friday and Saturday — will be displaying his restored 1969 AMX as he talks about fishing, hunting, and cars. 

 

Also at Rogers Plaza will be a relaxation tent and two food courts featuring an arrange of offerings such as barbecue, burgers, pizza, tamales, tacos, burritos, wraps, and ice cream. Shuttle service will be available from and to the KDL Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW, and the Wyoming High School, 1350 Prairie Pkwy SW.

 

Of course the activities will not be just at Rogers Plaza, but local business such as Marge’s Donut Den and many of the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association members will be featuring cars and other activities.

 

For example, Harvey Automotive, 2600 28th St. SE, will showcase multiple car clubs with up to 90 classic vehicles in attendance. At Dan Pfeiffer Lincoln Mercury, 2424 28th St. SE, will be featuring Dean (Dino) Arnold, the creator of the sleek 1961 Ford Thunderflite. Dino is the owner of Dinos Rod and Customs, based in Middlevile, Mich. Joining Dino will be registered rat fink artist Kit-Kat, who is known for her paint builds and signature pin stripping which she will be demonstrating at the event.

‘Dust-Off’ Metro Cruise kicks off May 5

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By Joanne Bailey Boorsma, WKTV

 

They are going to have fun, fun, fun at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #763 as the 28th Street Metro Cruise annual kicks off Saturday, May 5, with the traditional ‘Dust-off’.

 

The annual event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and has become a tradition and a kick-off to the summer car shows with car owners finally being able to show off what has been stored under those tarps.

 

Hosted by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, the event usually has about 100 to 150 cars. A large part of that depends on the weather, according to Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Chamber. O’Callaghan added that the first 50 collector car owners to the Dust-Off will receive a free Dust-Off shirt, which has become a collector’s item.

 

The 14th annual 28th Street Metro Cruise is set for Aug. 24 and 25. There is a Blessing of the Cars on Aug. 23 as well. And while the actual event is still about four months away, there are several other pre-activities taking place.

 

Delilah DeWylde will be at Metro Cruise Aug. 24

Entries for the annual Pin Up Girl contest are also being accepted. The Pin Up Girl contest will take place July 7 at the American Legion Post 154, 2327 Byron Center Ave. SW. The final competition will take place during Metro Cruise on Aug. 25, rain or shine.  Application deadline is June 10. All contestants must be 18 years old or older and must provide a head shot and full body shot with costume and makeup. To register, visit www.28thstreetmetrocruise.com/pinupgirls.

 

The popular Art Cruise hosted by the Wyoming Business Leaders will be returning as well. Details will be forthcoming.

 

For up-to-date information, make sure to visit 28thstreetmetrocruist.com or visit the Metro Cruise Facebook page at Facebook.com/metrocruise.   

Chef VanHorn follows his talent and opens YoChef’s Catering

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By Lindsay Papciak

Community Writer

 

 

For executive chef Joseff VanHorn, he believes “when God gives you a talent, you should embrace it.” Recently, VanHorn opened a permanent home for YoChef’s Catering based out of Kentwood.

 

“[Becoming a chef] is not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be an attorney or a doctor, but it wasn’t my calling,” VanHorn said. “When I accepted it, doors opened and I’m like ‘okay God, I get it.'”

 

VanHorn involvement with fine dining began when he was 16. He learned the ropes for the front of the house, but his passion was behind the scenes, even if it meant shucking oysters and cleaning mussels.

 

Chef Joseff VanHorn with Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley (left) and State Rep. Steven Johnson at the YoChef’s Catering ribbon cutting event. Photos by Tom De Vette.

With 20 years of experience as a general manager and 15 years as an executive chef, VanHorn thought “I could do this myself.” YoChef’s Catering was established in October 2009.  “I didn’t have a pot to cook in but I had a lot of good friends in the ACF (American Culinary Federation),” VanHorn said. ” In February of last year, we had to find our own place, and that was a challenge.”

 

After more than eight years of borrowing time in four different kitchens, VanHorn and his team officially cut the ribbon for YoChef’s permanent home in February 2018. “I tried to escape [food] a couple of times and sold life insurance. I was young and almost starved to death,” VanHorn said. “I went back to food because you always know where your lunch is at.”

 

VanHorn considers his influence to come from old school chefs as well as his time in the Marine Corps from 1986-1990. “I was just a sponge when I was young and I learned from all the chefs just by watching and doing and mentoring,” VanHorn said. “I give them both props for what we do now and our standards of service and how we do our events.”

 

VanHorn also has had the opportunity to grow with the film industry in Grand Rapids by providing craft services for more than 14 productions. “[Catering for] the movies was a launching point for us,” VanHorn said.

 

Out of all the celebrity encounters he has experienced, the most notable was Bruce Willis.

Chef Joseff VanHorn with staff and Bob O’Callaghan from the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. (Photos by Tom De Vette)

“I thought he was going to complain,” VanHorn said.

 

“He said ‘did you cook my salmon?’

 

And I said ‘yes Mr. Willis’

 

‘That was the best Salmon I ever had’

 

I’m like ‘oh cool.’ and I said ‘thanks Mr. Willis’ and he said ‘call me Bruce’ and I said ‘okay Mr. Willis’ That was the only time I was really star struck.”

 

VanHorn makes each client feel like a star by running his business as a ‘boutique caterer’. “We only want at the most to do two weddings at a time. I want to put the personal touch in everything we do,” VanHorn said. “Our secret ingredient is love. We love what we do and it shows in our customer service and in the quality of our food. I have a freezer that’s unplugged. I don’t do frozen.”

 

After establishing YoChef’s catering, VanHorn knows that he does not want to stop there. “I’m not the kind of person that will plateau,” VanHorn said. “We know catering works for us, and next we want to try a cafe. We have a great concept and a great menu. I’m just waiting. And when it happens it’ll happen. We never say no to opportunity.”

 

If you would like to learn more about YoChef’s Catering, visit their website at yochefscatering.com, or contact Joseff VanHorn directly at 616-558-1077.

 

All photos are by Tom De Vette, community contributor. 

WKTV Journal: Smart 911, a visit from Bob O’Callaghan, and a call for Festival volunteers

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In this newscast , we join the City of Kentwood as officials and residents observe Martin Luther King Day with a special ceremony at the KDL Kentwood Branch and a food drive for its Little Free Pantry. Mayor Stephen Kepley talks about the city possibly expanding the pantry program.

 

The celebrations continued at Lee High School as the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools inducts three new members to its Hall of Fame.

 

Also, we head over to the Kent County Emergency Dispatch Center, where Emergency Communications Center Manager Matt Groesser talks to us about the Smart 911 program that was launched last year.

 

In studio, Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Bob O’Callaghan stops by to talk about the Chamber’s 2017 accomplishments, what’s up for 2018, and this year’s Chamber Award Winners.

 

Also Festival of the Arts Volunteer Chair Becky Richard comes to our studio to talk about the various volunteer opportunities available at the event which this year takes place June 1, 2, and 3 in Downtown Grand Rapids.

 

The WKTV Journal airs on WKTV Channel 25 Mondays at 9 p.m., Tuesdays at 7 p.m., and Fridays at 10 a.m.

 

 

Wyoming, Kentwood host a variety of community holiday celebrations

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Sleigh bells are ringing, can you hear them? Well, you certainly will in the next couple off weeks as both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood host several popular holiday events.

 

Santa Parade

 

Kicking things off will be the annual Santa Parade hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. The parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 2, with step off at 10 a.m. The parade runs down S. Division Avenue starting at the 34th Street Mall Parking Lot (formerly Hope Network) to Murray Street (Chase bank).

 

After the parade, Santa will be available for photos at the Brann’s Sizzlin’ Steaks & Sports Grill, 4132 S. Divison Ave. to meet with families and for photos, so make sure to bring a camera, said Chamber President Bob O’Callaghan.

 

For more information about the parade, visit www.southket.org.

 

Wyoming Gives Back

 

For the seventh year, the City of Wyoming will come together to host the annual community event Wyoming Gives Back. The event is Thursday, Dec. 7, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Rogers Plaza Mall, 972 28th St. SW.

 

Participants are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy to the Salvation Army Tree. Last year, more than 400 toys were collected. Each attendee who bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation will receive a raffle ticket in exchange for a chance to win prizes donated by Wyoming businesses. Last year, the city raffled off nearly $5,000 in prizes.

 

There will be hot chocolate, music by local choirs and bands, and of course, a visit from Santa.

 

For more information on the event, visit www.wyomingmi.gov or call 616-530-7272.

 

Kentwood Tree Lighting Ceremony

 

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the City of Kentwood will host its annual community tree lighting ceremony Friday, Dec. 8. The evening starts with a holiday light parade at 6 p.m. along Breton Avenue followed by caroling and lighting of the tree at 6:30 p.m. lead by Mayor Stephen Kepley. From 6 – 8 p.m., the Elves Express Gift Shop will be inside the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SW. There will also be hay rides, hot chocolate, cookies, live music, caroling, and of course a visit from Santa.

 

The entire event has free admission. For more information, visit kentwood50.com.

 

Wyoming’s Great Candy Cane Hunt

 

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department will host the Great Candy Cane Hunt, Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event begins outdoors in the front of the Wyoming Police Department, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW, where Santa Claus will lead kids on a scavenger hunt for the many hidden candy canes outside. Activities will then move indoors to the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW, for lunch, games and crafts.

 

The event is for children 3- 14 years-old. The cost to participate is $4 resident, $6 non-resident. Additional family members who are 15 or older may attend and have lunch for $2. Pre-registation is required. To register, call 616-530-3164 or www.wyomingmi.gov/PRRegistration.

Welcome to the neighborhood: Delta Hotels, Health Bridge

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The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce marked two ribbon cutting ceremonies in November, celebrating the addition of a hotel and a rehabilitation facility.

 

On Friday, Nov. 8, was the ribbon cutting for Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport. The new hotel, located at 3333 28th St. SE, is a full-service hotel designed with the essential needs of frequent travels in mind. The new hotel is located erwin Woodland and CenterPointe malls and is four miles from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. It is also only walking distance from many Kentwood dining and entertainment options and is connected to Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom.

Earlier was the ribbon cutting for HealthBridge Post-Acute Rehabilitation, located in the Metro Health Village at 2060 Health Dr. SW. The new center provides short-term care for patients requiring physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with skilled nursing care, after a hospital stay.

Metro Cruise hits the teens as it marks its 13th year this weekend

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The Pin Up Contest takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Main Stage at Rogers Plaza.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It’s gonna be cars, cars and more cars this weekend as the 13th Annual Metro Cruise takes place this Friday and Saturday along 28th Street.

 

Once again, the epicenter of it all will be Rogers Plaza with cars, vendors and food along with WKTV on site to record the two-day event.

 

“It has grown into quite a large event,” said Bob O’Callaghan, the president of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, which ha hosted the annual event. “The original thought process was to get a few cars and a couple thousand people at Rogers Plaza to highlight 28th Street and last year we have about 250,000 people and about 16,000 collector cars.”

 

New to this year’s event is the Blessing of the Cars which takes place Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, 1120 32nd St. SW. The lot will open for cars starting at 6 p.m. Cars should enter off of 32nd Street or Michael Avenue.

 

On the east end of 28th Street will be the Cascade’s Metro Cruise Warm Up from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Thornapple Center, 6797 Cascade Rd SE. (near the Cascade Road and 28th Street intersection.) Along with lots of cars, there will be food trucks, live music from the band Decades, kids’ activities, and a dunk tank to benefit the Kent County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 Unit. The event is sponsored by the Cascade DDA, Cascade Community Foundation and the Forest Hills Business Association.

 

Other new additions to this year is expand hours for the event with it running from 4 – 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, said O’Callaghan, noting the closing times are about an hour later than in previous years.

 

For Friday, Aug. 25, food and vendors will be at Rogers Plaza along with a variety of cars. Main Stage entertainment will feature Big Boss Band at 4 p.m. followed by local country singer Kari Lynch at 7 p.m.

 

While the event starts on Friday, which O’Callaghan noted organizers have seen increase attendance Friday night over the past several years, the official opening ceremonies take place at 9 a.m. Saturday. During the ceremonies, the GM Foundation presents checks to several local charities.

 

At a 11 a.m., about eight ladies will compete in the annual Pin Up contest, which is an era-type contest with the ladies involved dressing according to the era they represent, O’Callaghan said,

 

“The belief before people get to know Pin Up is that it’s just women perpetuating the old school idea that women should be beautiful and something that men should look at,” said Amanda Miehle, who is Victory Belle and will be competing in this year’s contest. That women can’t be more than a pretty face but Pin Up is so much more than that. It is empowering. Women took something with a stigma and a label that was once almost degrading to women and they reclaimed it. These women are amazing. They are strong. They are empowering. They are uplifting to other women. They are not afraid to get on a stage and show the world they are beautiful.

 

“It’s kind of like taking something and making it our own.”

 

There is more music starting at noon on Saturday with blues group Out of Favor Boys followed by country group Stolen Horses at 3:30 p.m. and JetBeats wrapping up the evening with a performance from 7 – 8:45 p.m.

 

Of course there are activities all along 28th Street at various businesses and car dealerships. One such event that takes place through the entire month of August is the Art Cruise. Similar to ArtPrize, local artists are matched with 18 Wyoming businesses where the artists’ work is featured for the month.

 

For a complete list of the businesses — or for more about this year’s Metro Cruise — make sure to pick up a brochure at the event or visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes businesses, volunteers at annual event

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By Bob O’Callagahn

Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce

 

The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 36th Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner Jan. 27 at Grand Rapids’ Crossroads Conference Center 6569 Clay Ave. SW.

 

Guests were welcomed by music from the East Kentwood High School Jazz Combo and a slide presentation with pictures from 2016 Chamber Events.

 

A strolling dinner and silent auction started the evening off. The nights program started with a welcome from President/CEO Bob O’Callaghan. O’Callaghan then introduced State Senators Tonya Schuitmaker, Peter MacGregor, and State Representative Tommy Brann. Mayor Stephen Kepley then updated the guests on activities in the City of Kentwood. City Councilmen Kent Vanderwood shared the accomplishments in the City of Wyoming in 2016.

 

The Awards portion of the Program started with Lacks Enterprises receiving the Manufacturer of the Year honors. Craig’s Cruisers was selected Retail Business of the Year. The final business award went to the Service Business of the Year Valorous Circle. Each award was preceded by a video of the winning business, prepared by WKTV.

 

The Daniel McLaren Committee of the Year Award went to the Annual Meeting Committee.

 

The Daniel Vandyke Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Keith Morgan from All Clean Again.

 

The Chamber’s final award, The Gerald E. Fessell Distinguished Service Award went to Terry Merriman, owner of PCO Associates, and the 2015 and 2016 Chairman of the Board. The 2017 Board of Directors were introduced and the meeting adjourned.

Shopping Small Business Saturday helps local economy

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Locally owned: Fruit Basket Flowerland
Locally owned: Fruit Basket Flowerland

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

We hear a lot about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but sandwiched in between is probably the one shopping day that has the most impact on a local economy: Small Business Saturday.

 

Actually launched by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is designed to encourage people across the country to support small, local businesses. The reason is simple according to Bob O’Callaghan, president and chief executive officer for the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce.

 

“When you shop at a small business you help feed a local family and their tax dollars stay local,” O’Callaghan said.

 

According to a recent Forbes magazine article, there are 28 million American small businesses, which account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales.

 

“The backbone of any economy is the local brick and mortar buildings that belong to the small business,” O’Callaghan said, adding that the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce is made up of 75 percent small and local businesses.

 

Cheers to the holidays: Cascade Winery
Cheers to the holidays: Cascade Winery

According to Local First of West Michigan, by shifting 10 percent of your spending towards locally owned business helps create up to 1,600 new jobs. The American public appears to be making that shift since according to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, commissioned by American Express and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, more than 95 million people shopped small business in 2015, which is an 8 percent increase from the 2014 Small Business Saturday. The survey also shows that more than 16 billion was spent at small independent businesses on the 2015 Small Business Saturday.

 

“Small Business Saturday is a great entry point to start learning about and supporting local businesses,” said LocalFirst Marketing Manager Mieke Stoub. “We hope that the community continues to support our local economy after the holidays and throughout the year.”

Community organizations come together for first South Kent Expo

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logosSeveral community organizations — covering four municipalities — have come together to host the first South Kent Community Expo, which is set for this Saturday, Oct. 1.

 

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, Kentwood Public Schools, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cutlerville-Gaines Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting the expo which runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The event is free.

 

expo“The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department hosted a health expo and they were running out of space at the location they were at along with the fact that we at the chamber and Cutlerville-Gaines have hosted expos in the past,”said Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, as he talked about how the idea for the South Kent Community Expo came about. “Coming together, we felt that we had more options and a better opportunity to reach a broader range of residents.”

 

The expo is designed to bring in a representation of businesses and organizations in the Wyoming, Kentwood, Gaines and Cutlerville areas. About 80 different vendors are expected to be at the event representing a variety of groups from health care to financial.

 

“We do not have a lot of duplicate businesses,” O’Callaghan said. “We have a variety of services along with organizations that provide products. It’s a nice representation and should meet about anyone’s tastes or needs.”

 

Mixed in will be several local restaurants and food stores that will be providing tastings of some of the items they offer. There also will be outside activities that include demonstrations from fire and rescue.

 

Kentwood Public Schools will be providing a variety of cultural activities, which O’Callaghan said organizers hope will help draw people to the expo.

 

Being the first year, O’Callaghan said it is hard to predict how many people will attend. A lot depends on the weather, however; being that the event is free, organizers are expecting somewhere between 2,000 – 3,000 participants.

DreamWheels!: History of Metro Cruise

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As the sun sits high in the sky, radiating down on the blacktop of 28th Street, hundreds of thousands of people bustle up and down the road taking in the sights. More than 15,000 cars waxed, shined, and ready for primetime cover the street and parking lots as spectators take in the grandeur of these classic beauties.

 

For the past 11 years, the 28th Street Metro Cruise has brought together generations of people by allowing them to a trip through memory lane by cruising down 28th Street in a classic car. While the event is now ingrained into the fabric of 28th Street and the communities that participate, not everyone was initially onboard.

 

“When the idea [for the Metro Cruise] came up, I was thinking, ‘this is not going to work,’” Bob O’Callaghan said with a laugh. Callahan, who now serves as the president of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce, was a Chamber board member during the creation of Metro Cruise. “But I turned out to be wrong.”

 

With the completion of the M-6 highway in 2004, there was concern that traffic would dissipate from 28th Street and turn a street that was once the second busiest in Michigan into an afterthought. The Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce set out to find a way to continue to drive traffic down 28th Street and to the local businesses in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood. The Chamber saw a problem, and the solution would hinge on the local car culture.

 

Metro Cruise“The idea for the Metro Cruise came from the Woodward Dream Cruise” said Charlie Steen, one of the main think tanks behind Metro Cruise. “We were looking for promotion for 28th Street and the businesses on the strip, and we felt it was an opportunity for merchants to benefit from the event.”

 

Steen, the former Economic Development Director for the City of Wyoming, approached then Chamber President John Crawford with the idea for the Metro Cruise. With the help of Dan Van Dyke from Fruit Basket Flowerland and Todd Duncan from Consumers Energy, the Chamber went all in to make the event a reality.

 

“We were very fortunate with the help of the city mayors, councils and governments, and the Chamber of Commerce,” said Steen. “We had to work with Wyoming, Kentwood, Grandville, Grand Rapids, and Cascade Township to make the Metro Cruise a reality.”

 

With everyone on board, it came down to one thing: Would anyone show up?

 

“During the early planning stages for year one, we actually hoped that we might get a couple of thousand people to show up and hoped to have a couple hundred cars,” stated Todd Duncan in an interview in 2014 reflecting back on the 10th Anniversary of Metro Cruise.

 

Turns out, the initial estimates didn’t quite comprehend West Michigan’s love for cars. The Metro Cruise went live in 2005 and 85,000 people came to see what it was all about.

 

“Without the car crazies from West Michigan, the Metro Cruise wouldn’t happen,” said Steen.

 

Metro CruiseWhile the participation was better than expected, and getting the inaugural event to make it from concept to reality was a success in itself, the first year of Metro Cruise didn’t accomplish its primary task.

 

“It was not a success with the Chamber, we lost money that first year,” explained O’Callaghan. “We thought we’d go in all the way with 16 different locations around 28th Street. It was too much and we scaled it back the second year with the Chamber staying in and focusing on Roger’s Plaza.”

 

The Chamber saw the potential of Metro Cruise, and instead of dumping the idea after losing money in year one, they adapted and continued to build the event. Since 2005, Metro Cruise has grown from 85,000 participants to more than 250,000, and well over 15,000 vehicles as well. The increase in event traffic has led directly to an influx in commerce for the local businesses.

 

“The Chamber did a survey three years ago and found out that $3.3 million was spent on the 28th Street corridor on the weekend of Metro Cruise,” said O’Callaghan. “It’s doing what it’s supposed to do as far as the financial side and the awareness.”

 

As the cruise prepares for its 12th year, car lovers from all over the state, and the country, will pour onto 28th Street to enjoy automobiles from generation to generation.

 

Make sure to check out the “DreamWheels” show which will be broadcasting live Saturday, Aug. 27 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Pal’s Diner, 6503 28th St. SE, and Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW. The show will air Saturday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. on WKTV Channel 25.