Dairy Queen – Michigan Avenue
1040 W. Michigan AvenueI guess I would be stating the obvious if I said it’s been pretty hot lately? J and I were watching TV when a commercial for Dairy Queen popped up. The heat must have gotten to her because she all of a sudden really wanted DQ.
I had to make a trip to the east side of town to meet some co-workers and drop something off. I took L along for the ride so that J could have 45 minutes or so to herself.
After completing my task, J asked if I’d stop and pick up a couple Blizzards. I figured what the hell. It was hot and I like ice cream.
I stopped at the Dairy Queen on Michigan Avenue across the street from Waldo Stadium. That’s one of five DQ’s in the Kalamazoo area.
The building is nothing to look at. It barely looks like there is still an operating business there. There are no signs on the building and it looks like no one has done any sort of maintenance work (like a coat of paint) on the building in quite some time. Read more…
Press Release – Arcadia Ales Expanding in Kalamazoo
From a Promote Michigan press release….
Arcadia Ales Expands Brewing Operations
(BATTLE CREEK, Mich) – Arcadia Brewing Company has announced the construction of a new facility on Kalamazoo’s downtown riverfront – a $5.4 million investment in developing a mixed-use facility that is to include a Packaging microbrewery, Company office space, riverfront pub/eatery, and a riverfront beer garden
“Arcadia’s expansion into Kalamazoo is an important and exciting milestone, not only for our company, but for the greater Kalamazoo and Battle Creek communities,” says Arcadia President and Founder, Tim Suprise. “ Arcadia is reinvesting in our Battle Creek operation and locating a new production and pub facility in downtown Kalamazoo will that will bring dozens of quality jobs and vitality to a strategically-important section of the city (River’s Edge), while reclaiming a part of the Kalamazoo River.”
In other words, Arcadia isn’t relocating; Arcadia is expanding.
“Recognizing our Company’s role within the Battle Creek community and maintaining loyalty to our existing patrons is just as important as the expansion itself,” Suprise says. “We are continually grateful to our distributor and retail partners as well as the many customers who have made Arcadia Brewing Company a success in Battle Creek, and we are optimistically looking forward to developing an equally important role and worthy presence downtown and the greater Kalamazoo community.”
Limited physical space in the Battle Creek location and a strong demand within the Michigan and Illinois markets forced the Company to reduce its distribution footprint almost 3 years ago, and meeting the demand for Arcadia Ales has been a challenge in the existing facility.
“This project began in August of 2011; I’m grateful for the world-class team that has come together over the past 11 months and effectively transitioned this opportunity into a thoughtfully considered mixed use development that included both City and State support” says Suprise. “We are proud that Southwest Michigan is our home. We’re excited to draw more craft beer enthusiasts to this region of our great state, and, thankful that we can continue to grow and develop as one of Michigan’s thriving and important craft breweries.”
Press Release – Meet The Maker Nights at Martell’s
From a Millennium Restaurant Group press release…..
Meet the Maker Nights Bring Local Brewers and Winemakers to Martell’s
KALAMAZOO, Mich.– Every Wednesday from 5pm until 8pm during the summer, Millennium Restaurant Group-owned Martell’s will feature “Meet the Maker” nights, bringing local brewers, winemakers, and spirit makers to their dining room. Guests will be able to sample and taste special offerings, while learning the stories and lore behind their favorite locally-made beverages. There is no cost to attend.
Wednesday nights currently feature an outdoor grill on the patio, with a special summer-grill menu. The designated “Meet the Maker” nights will compliment the featured grill menu by offering guests the chance to try locally made drinks that pair well with the fresh summer food.
This is the third year of Meet The Maker at Martell’s, and arguably the strongest lineup to date. The experience of the event is unique each week: some new releases will be shared, old favorites will be available, beverages may available for retail, and more. Featured makers for the series are as follows:
- July 11-Bell’s Brewery-Kalamazoo, MI
- July 18-Brewery Vivant-Grand Rapids, MI
- July 25-Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales-Dexter, MI
- August 1-Arcadia Ales-Battle Creek, MI
- August 8-New Holland Brewing Co-Holland, MI
- August 15-Leelanau Cellars-Omena, MI
- August 22-St. Julian Winery, Forbidden Fruit Series-Paw Paw, MI
- August 29-Founders Brewing Co-Grand Rapids, MI
- September 5-B. Nektar-Ferndale, MI
Martell’s “Meet the Maker” takes place every Wednesday this Summer starting at 5pm. There is no extra cost to guests. For reservations (which are not required, but are suggested) or more information, call Martell’s at (269) 375.2105.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken – Grand Rapids
4301 Kalamazoo Avenue SEI understand road construction is a necessary evil, but it has been really bad this year on my drive from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids. Pretty much every day since May I have dealt with construction somewhere on US-131. The worst of the construction seems to be the current project between Franklin and Wealthy. On a good day, the traffic is backed up to 28th Street. On a bad day, it could be farther.
I’ve been hopping off US-131 at M-6 when I know the traffic is bad and taking Kalamazoo Avenue towards Downtown. It seems to be quicker than taking the obvious routes (Division or Clyde Park) because everyone else has that idea making those roads just as congested as the highway.
A couple days ago, I saw a sign for a chicken place I had never seen before on Kalamazoo Avenue in a shopping center just north of 44th Street
Krispy Krunchy Chicken is a chicken chain with over 900 locations in 27 states. With that many locations, I have no idea how I’ve never seen one before. The only other location I could find in Michigan is in Ypsilanti.
The deal with Krispy Krunchy Chicken is that they’re not really a stand alone chicken chain. They sort of incorporate their product in to your existing business. A lot of their locations are integrated in to existing convenience stores, restaurants, and grocery stores. Read more…
Let’s Swirl
5021 W. Main Street- Kalamazoo, MI 49009
- (269) 903-2662
- Website
- No Online Menu
Remember a few weeks ago when I blogged about a new froyo place in Portage and said I don’t really like froyo but I’m gonna blog anyway just as a publicity thing? Yeah, this post is the same way.
A few weeks ago after picking up dinner from Jersey Giant Subs, I noticed something going in to the shopping center on the other side of the driveway. When I mentioned it to J, she said she had heard a new frozen yogurt place going in to that area.
After a trip to Battle Creek for BBQ, J asked if we could get some froyo before heading home.
True, the corner of Main and Drake where Let’s Swirl just opened is not quite near Battle Creek, but it is fairly close to home for us, so it wasn’t very far out of the way. Read more…
Redline BBQ Smokehouse and Catering
5275 Beckley RoadUnless you just started reading this blog yesterday, you know my affinity for BBQ. I love the stuff. Can’t get enough of it.
I’ve been pretty lucky find some good BBQ in the past in Battle Creek. Both J and I have enjoyed OT’s Up in Smoke (both the Beadle Lake Road cart and the Capital Avenue store) and I really like what is now Hogzilla (it was Sonny’s BBQ Pit when I ate there).
Earlier this year, another BBQ joint opened up on Beckley Road just off I-94 on Battle Creek’s south side. Redline BBQ Smokehouse and Catering takes up space in a small strip mall just off the Interstate 94 near the Lakeview Square Mall.
I made a special point to set my alarm so I would get up early enough for J, L, and I to make a trip to Battle Creek before I had to go to work. The restaurant isn’t open on Sunday (my weekend day off) and I’ve been wanting to check this place out since it opened….and for whatever reason, I had a hankering for some BBQ when I went to bed Friday night. Read more…
Dunkin’ Donuts – Kalamazoo
3102 S. Westnedge AvenueNow that I’m getting up early with a baby every morning, I’ve been looking for places with quick breakfast options. Most of the time, I just go to McDonalds because I’m a really big fan of the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit. Most people are addicted to McDonalds fries. Not me. I love the breakfast sandwich.
A couple months ago, J found out that Dunkin’ Donuts was opening a new store on South Westnedge at the corner with Whites Road behind Jimmy Johns. I grew up with Dunkin’ Donuts. It used to be a real treat to get Dunkin’ Donuts instead of the typical gas station long johns.
Things have changed quite a bit since my childhood. Dunkin’ Donuts is so much more than just doughnuts. Today, it’s more like a coffee shop that happens to have donuts. Almost half their sales is coffee. I’ve never been a coffee drinker, but most of my friends would rave about Dunkin’s coffee. When I lived in Peoria, one friend would make me take him there after a night of drinking. He would get coffee. I would get a long john.
The first of what could be three Kalamazoo locations opened on July 2. It took me four whole days to actually work up the energy to get going in the morning and make it over there. Read more…
From a Fair Food Matters press release….
Fair Food Matters’ canning classes begin July 14Whether people have some experience with canning or none at all, Fair Food Matters will once again offer community canning classes, so everyone can proudly proclaim, “I celebrate summer because I can!”
Homesteader, aquafarmer and master canner Lori Evesque will lead students step-by-step through both water bath and pressure canning, providing the skills to safely preserve Southwest Michigan’s bounty to enjoy all winter long.
Classes will take place in the Fair Food Matters’ Can-Do Kitchen (511 Harrison Street, Kalamazoo). Each class is $35 per person, or $40 for those wishing to contribute to a scholarship fund to help those who can’t afford the regular class fee.
Two products will be canned per class, varying in complexity and depending on seasonal availability of produce, and all participants will take home two cans per class. People are invited to register for one or all four classes.
Beginner classes will cover the basics, from equipment and safety to techniques and recipes, with a focus on vegetable and fruit products. Each student will take home a copy of the Ball Blue Book of Home Canning. Beginners’ classes take place on:
- Saturday, July 14 (2-5 p.m.)
- Thursday, August 23 (6-9 p.m.)
Advanced classes, designed for those who have some canning experience, will offer a refresher of the basics, along with more advanced recipes and techniques. Advanced classes take place on:
- Wednesday, July 18 (6-9 p.m.)
- Saturday, August 25 (2-5 p.m.)
To register, please visit www.fairfoodmatters.org, or call (269) 492-0261. For general information on canning, or to find out about scholarships, please email canning@fairfoodmatters.org.
These classes are made possible thanks to donations from the People’s Food Co-op and Centre Street Market.
Press Release – Farm to Fork Dinner at Food Dance
From a Food Dance press release…..
CLOSER. FRESHER. BETTER. AND EXTRA SPECIAL.
Every week we get deliveries from Norm and Karen of Carlson Farms. From pastured chickens to farm-fresh eggs we know we’re getting the best the rolling hills of Decatur, MI has to offer. You’ll taste the love in each of the four courses — and know that it came from local people who care about their food and those who eat it. We’re proud to partner with local farms to bring you the freshest ingredients possible. $50 per personJust click to make event reservations.
From a Promote Michigan press release…
SW Michigan Dining 