New restaurant Gateway Spoon is on a mission

Gateway Spoon officially opened its doors this month, promising a place where fresh ingredients from local farmers are combined to create a variety of delicious breakfast and lunch choices. 

But the new restaurant, at 633 E 24th St, Holland, is about more than serving meals. It’s about investing in the Holland community, creating hope and opportunity, says Jay Riemersma, executive director of Gateway Mission. 

Gateway Spoon The restaurant also features artwork from the Holland Area Arts Council.

Gateway Spoon is one of four social enterprises that support the work of Gateway Mission, along with the Gateway Store, Gateway Detailing and the online Gateway Bookstore. Like the Spoon, each business offers on-the-job training to Gateway program students, developing employment skills that will help them succeed in the workplace. 

The restaurant, which was announced in July, has partnered with Zeeland-based Creative Dining Services to manage operations of the restaurant. Students of the Gateway Mission program will be able to participate in CDS’s award-winning employee training and development programs through work at the Spoon. 

Gateway Spoon, which employs 30 people, has seating for 94 guests.

Proceeds from the Gateway Spoon support the mission’s work of providing hope and opportunities for neighbors battling homelessness, poverty and other challenges.

“We consider it such a privilege to get to serve our community at the Spoon, and we’re looking forward to sharing the love of Christ with all who enter our doors,” Riemersma says. “We are grateful for the hard work and prayers from so many that helped make this possible.”

Open for lunch, breakfast

Gateway Spoon serves items like scrambles, bowls and traditional fare during breakfast and lunch hours. Lunch offerings also include soups, salads, melts and “spoonwiches.” The full menu features fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including bread from deBoer Bakery and produce from area farms.  

Gateway Spoon's meals start at $9.
Reservations and online ordering will be available in the coming weeks. Guests can dine in the main restaurant Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., while additional seating is located in the cafe space, which features a grab-and-go counter for coffee, tea and baked goods. The cafe is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Cafe orders will also be accepted at the drive-thru later this year.

The restaurant, which employs 30 people, has seating for 94 guests. Meals start at $9. Every cup of coffee customers buy creates sustainable income and opportunities for coffee farmers around the world, thanks to the Spoon’s partnership with Thrive Farmers. 

Local artists featured

The restaurant also features artwork from the Holland Area Arts Council (HAAC)
and will showcase local artists at quarterly exhibition events.  The partnership will provide Gateway Spoon with local art to display while increasing awareness of local area artists.

The full menu features fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including bread from deBoer Bakery and produce from area farms.  
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the HAAC,” Riemersma says. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our organizations to work together and shine a light on the work of the Mission  as well as the talented artists in our community.”

Each season, a different local artist will have their work featured and displayed. The first featured artist will be Mary Sundstrom, a West Michigan artist, illustrator, art instructor, and exhibitions director at the HAAC.

Cafe orders will also be accepted at the drive-thru later this year.
“We are excited to be working with Gateway Mission to highlight local artists at the Spoon,” says Lori Gramer, executive director of the HAAC. “We look forward to sharing incredible works from artists in West Michigan with the diners at the restaurant and at our showcase events.”

Starting in 2024, the restaurant will host after-hours pop-up showcases every three months, highlighting the artwork on display at the Spoon as well as additional pieces from the season’s featured artist. Pieces will be available for purchase, and proceeds will benefit the artist, Gateway Mission and HAAC.