Where most people would have just seen a deserted piece of land near
Downtown, Lansing residents Ken and Giselle Settimo saw an ideal location for a unique new riverfront business.
It was less than three years ago when a vacant lot on the
corner of River and Hillsdale Streets in Lansing's Cherry Hill neighborhood caught their attention.
Now, it’s officially open as
The Grand Fish, an outdoor dining area that officially opened for business this past Memorial Day.
“Good Friends, Good Food, Good Music . . . Good Times” is their motto. Customers bring their own food to the tropically decorated patio area, where grills are available for barbecuing.
“You bring your cooler,” explains Ken. “You cook. We clean.”
But the unique outdoor dining experience is only the beginning. An assortment of kayaks and canoes are available for rental.
From the Cherry Hill boat launch, boaters can row to
Old Town, Moores River Park, or even all the way downstream to
Potter Park and on to the
Michigan State University campus.
Before embarking on a boating adventure, customers are given a brief tutorial that encompasses not only safety rules, but what to be aware of in order to get the full nature experience.
“The wildlife is amazing once you know what to keep your eyes open for,” says Ken.
Metro MarinasThose who love to socialize and experience the outdoors in the Capital region also have another exciting river option—this one gas powered. Local developer
Pat Gillespie recently launched a river cruise business, also in collaboration with the Settimos.
Launching from the river adjacent to the new
City Market, Lansing Metro Marinas takes large groups of passengers along the Grand River in a 28-foot pontoon boat. Tours can last as short as a half-hour to as long as a whole day.
“It was a great opportunity for us to bring a little more life into this great resource we have going through our city,” says Ken. “People have been great and we’re hoping that business is good enough to put more boats in the water in the near future.”
Both The Grand Fish and Lansing Metro Marinas promise to bring more and more Lansing area people together in a unique setting.
“Our goal is to bring more people to the riverfront,” says Ken. “It’s awesome out there.”
Water, Water Everywhere“It’s a cool thing to do if you don’t feel like going to a bar,” says Lansing resident and regular Grand Fish customer Allan Ross. “When you‘re on that river, you see the city in such a unique way,” he raves of his experience in the small boats.
He especially enjoyed the view of Lansing’s architecture, including the
State Capitol building and the
Boji clock tower. Last summer, when he was testing out the boats for his good friend Ken, he rowed by
Adado Riverfront Park and had one of the best seats in the house for the
Common Ground Music Festival.
Ross, an avid boater, likes to challenge himself when he’s out on in a canoe or kayak. However, he recommends The Grand Fish to beginner and experienced boaters alike.
“If you want a good challenge, go upstream in the middle of the river. If you want an easier experience, stick to the outside of the river.”
The
Grand River, which runs through Jackson, Grand Rapids and Grand Haven, is the longest river in Michigan. In the past, it has had a reputation for containing water that is polluted due to industrialization and sewage.
However, the water quality has approved in recent years, thanks in part to work of activist groups such as the
Michigan chapter of the Sierra Club and the
City of Lansing.
“There’s such a myth about the Grand River,” says Ken. “It’s come a long way. It’s not what it used to be.”
Ross has seen with his own eyes evidence that the river is thriving. “I’ve seen huge turtles, families of ducks, big fish jumping out. They wouldn’t be there in a filthy river.”
Social Place For a Social TownRoss, a resident of the Cherry Hill neighborhood, was excited when Ken first pitched to The Grand Fish to him.
“I thought it was a good idea,” he recalls. “It brings something new to the neighborhood.” Although Ross has heard about past crime problems in Cherry Hill, he says the neighborhood has changed. “I’ve lived here four or five years and have not had a negative experience,” he says.
Ross has no doubt that The Grand Fish will be a big hit because it’s a great venue for people to relax and interact with each other. And Lansing is, after all, a very social town. Ross believes this is because the industry here is geared toward more social jobs, such as government and information technology, as opposed to manufacturing.
Like Ken Settimo, Ross is a Detroit transplant. He prefers the small town feel of Lansing.
“You’ll be out talking to somebody and find you have a mutual friend,” says the MSU alum. “It’s a capital city, but it’s intimate. I like that feeling.”
A Personal Backyard“A lot of our friends
live Downtown in lofts,” says Giselle. “No one has a backyard.”
She sees The Grand Fish as a personal backyard for those city dwellers. “To be outside in beautiful weather, doing something fun — you can’t go wrong.”
While The Grand Fish is geared toward family fun, it‘s also a potential setting for dates and gatherings among friends and co-workers.
A private cabana, gazebo and pergola are all available for rental. Reservations are recommended for these private areas, but not required.
“We’ll be pretty flexible and laid back,” says Ken.
The plan is to eventually rent out the patio for private events.
Ken says Michigan’s unpredictable weather has not been a problem. An umbrella at each table protects diners from light rain. But there are limits, of course. “If it’s thundering, we will take the day off.”
Expect to see live entertainment at The Grand Fish soon. The plan is to showcase local artists. “Real basic stuff,” says Ken. “A man and his guitar just playing.”
Other future plans include making pre-packaged meals and blankets available to customers. Ken and Giselle are currently in the process of getting an outdoor kitchen up and running. They envision The Grand Fish as a perfect setting for lunch hours, as well as tailgating for the
Lansing Lugnuts and MSU football.
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Sandra Miska is a MSU alumna and current graduate student at Boston University.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:
Ken and Giselle Settimo and their Grand Fish and Metro Marinas business
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie