Gateway Mission is prepping for the upcoming launch of its newest business, the Gateway Spoon Café and Grill. The restaurant, which will be located in the former’s Denny’s adjacent to the Gateway Store off 24th Street and Waverly Road in Holland, is slated to open to the public early this fall.
Gateway has partnered with Zeeland-based Creative Dining Services, whose award-winning employee training and development program will be available to students participating in the Gateway Mission program.
“The Gateway Spoon is going to let us serve our neighbors with a place to gather for good food, coffee, and community,” says Jay Riemersma, executive director of
Gateway Mission. “And, at the same time, it creates excellent opportunities for our program students to develop skills they can take with them for years to come.”
Traditional and creative menu items
The restaurant will offer a full menu of breakfast and lunch items made with fresh ingredients from local farmers.
“Our menu is going to feature some traditional meals that we know people love, as well as new, creative items we’ll introduce on a regular basis,” says Jim Eickhoff, president and CEO of Creative Dining Services.
Gateway Spoon will feature both dine-in and to-go options at their main restaurant throughout the day. A separate café space will have additional seating options, as well as a grab-and-go counter for coffee, tea, and baked goods.
Building skills for success
Gateway Spoon joins the Gateway Store, Gateway Detailing, and the online Gateway Bookstore as the fourth social enterprise that supports the life-changing programs and services of the mission. Each of these businesses offers on-the-job training to students in the Gateway program to help them build their employment skills and set them up to succeed in the workplace.
Additionally, proceeds from the restaurant will go toward supporting the work of combating homelessness, poverty, and other challenges facing members of the Holland community, which Gateway has served since 1903.
The Holland nonprofit organization provides resources to those struggling with hunger, homelessness, poverty, and addiction. They provide emergency services and long-term discipleship programs that help individuals overcome the root issues of poverty, addiction, and homelessness so they can rebuild their lives from the inside out.
“We see the Spoon as a fantastic opportunity for us to serve our community and demonstrate the love of Christ to all who enter our doors,” says Riemersma. “We’re looking forward to opening this fall, when guests can build community by gathering around the table with their friends, family, bible studies, and small groups.”
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