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Downtown Developments

Aug 19, 2019
Newsletter
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DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS
August 19, 2019
What We’re Up To
From launching new programs to planning the downtown holiday season, downtown Kalamazoo is busy! Read about some of our exciting efforts below:

If you can believe it, it is already time to register for the Kalamazoo Holiday Parade! We are looking for organizations and businesses to bring holiday cheer to this year’s parade on November 16. This annual tradition is not one you want to miss out on – registration ends October 1, 2019.

Register here: downtownkalamazoo.org/events/holiday-parade

The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is excited to announce the launch of a new Downtown Dollars program, a local currency program that keeps money in our downtown.

Starting September 3, you will be able to purchase Downtown Dollars through our website valid ONLY at participating downtown businesses! Show your support for Downtown Kalamazoo by gifting Downtown Dollars this holiday season!
 

Thank you to our newest participating businesses!

Upcoming Events
Beats on Bates | June-August | Bates Alley
Beats on Bates, a weekly summer music series launched Wednesday, June 5th and will continue each Wednesday through August 28.

Grab drinks or dinner at one of the Bates Alley businesses or just sit and relax and enjoy the music with family and friends.

On August 21, join Zion Lion for a mix of reggae, African zouk, mucosa, zoukous and some Afro-latin influences.

On August 28, The Gilmore is sponsoring the Bill Cessna Trio! 

Take a look at the full lineup here.
Workout Wednesdays | June-August | Festival Place
Make sure to pack your workout gear on Tuesday nights this summer for Workout Wednesdays in downtown Kalamazoo!

Workout Wednesdays launched June 5, and will continue through August 28.  The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is partnering with local health and fitness focused organizations to provide a free fitness class at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Classes start at 5:30 p.m.

August 21
The Lean Body Studio

August 28
KAT Strength and Conditioning

Check out the full schedule here.
VITZ Hop-Up Block Party | September 6 | Bates Alley

Vintage in the Zoo (VITZ) HOP-UP Block Party will take place EVERY first Friday of the month starting in June – October at Bates Alley in downtown Kalamazoo from 4pm-9pm.

This event series will take place EVERY first Friday of the month through October at Bates Alley ‪from 4-9pm, and will feature a tightly curated/rotating selection of local vendors, artists, and music! Learn more at VintageInTheZoo.com

Think of VITZ Hop-Up Block Party as a way to kick-off the weekend, celebrate local vendors and artist, share your creativity, unwind from the week, and hang with friends!

There’s an entire summer of events scheduled in Downtown Kalamazoo – check out the full slate of events here.
Business Highlight
Food Dance Restaurant
Located at 401 E. Michigan Ave.

Hours: Mon.-Thu. 7a-9p | Fri. 7a-10p |Sat. 8a-10p | Sun. 8a-3p

Meet the owner! 

Food Dance is a downtown Kalamazoo cornerstone with a full-service restaurant, catering team, specialty market, in-house bakery, and butcher’s room. Julie Stanley, owner and founder of Food Dance, has been in the food industry for over 40 years; she works in collaboration with the BOH (back of the house) as the Executive Chef.

Since 1996, Food Dance has been committed to supporting and growing a thriving and sustainable local food system. Food Dance supports farmers & food artisans who practice craft food processes that have been around for generations—growing, raising, preserving, curing, aging, pickling, butchering and more. For Food Dance, it’s about the connection with the people and places our food comes from. 

Twenty-five years ago, Food Dance began serving breakfast and lunch and employed 25 staff. Today, Food Dance serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, employing 85 staff. It’s grown from a cafe into an 11,000 sq ft, 220 seat restaurant, a small specialty food market, catering department, butcher program, on-site bakery that produces a selection of natural long-fermented bread and a full array of pastries. Food Dance is open 7 days a week.

What does Food Dance sell?  

The food, drinks, and products found at Food Dance reflect their commitment to local food & artisans, sustainable & artisan production, and their commitment to the Kalamazoo community. Food Dance recently collaborated with Confections with Convictions for a Food Dance Signature peanut butter chocolate bar, with Picnic Prints on a custom T-shirt design, and for years with Water Street Coffee on our Signature Food Dance blend of coffee served in the dining room and sold in the Market, too.

Shopping and dining at Food Dance can range from very affordable ($10) to indulgent depending on what experience you are looking for. Food Dance works to be sure they can offer great food and service to every member of our community. 

What is new? 

In November 2019, Food Dance will begin celebrating 25 years of serving fresh, local food to our community. Before “farm-to-table” and “foodie” were part of our daily culture, and before celebrity chefs brought food to the forefront, Food Dance was working with local farmers to pick the best tasting local produce,prepare it with skill in traditional ways (that means no microwaves… ever!), and serve it to our guests. But that’s just the beginning of the Food Dance Experience.

Food Dance brings personal service to their guests. They enjoy learning about their guests’ preferences, finding out their names and bringing them into the “family” of Food Dance. They celebrate milestones; big & small with their guests and community. In addition, Food Dance offer classes, dinners and tasting to bring people together through food & drink (with a pinch of education sometimes, too). They share their passion and knowledge freely with the community of food businesses around Kalamazoo and build personal relationships with farmers. 

How to stay in the know? Follow Food Dance on Facebook, Instagram or check out their website.
In the News
Fun Fall Bucket List to conquer in Kalamazoo
Hidden Kalamazoo Tour becomes Hidden Kalamazoo Book
Downtown Kalamazoo ‘micro-grocery’ opening soon
Kalamazoo wants ideas to redesign streets now under city control
Public Meetings

Downtown Street Design Kick-Off Meeting, August 21, 6:30 p.m. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

DDA/Downtown Economic Growth Authority Board, September 16, 3pm City Hall Community Room
Downtown Projects

Stay up-to-date on all downtown construction and impacts to traffic by visiting: 

downtownkalamazoo.org/construction
 Want to see something featured in our newsletter? 
info@downtownkalamazoo.org
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Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership

Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership

162 E Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269.344.0795

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