Jimmy's Grill
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Jimmy’s Grill was a fixture along US 16, Grand River Drive and Hastings Road, for 50 years and known for real home cooking, generous portions, baked goods and especially the blueberry muffins.
The restaurant was opened by Alexander and Marie Still and named for their son Jimmy. As an adult, Jimmy became a partner in the restaurant. The Still’s lived above the restaurant, so they were a part of the community they served. Today this may seem like an odd location for a restaurant, but in the mid 1950’s when Jimmy’s Grill opened, US 16 ran eastward out of Kent County on Cascade Road, becoming Grand River Drive in Ionia County. It was the main route between Lowell and Lansing. This highway saw heavy semi-truck and passenger car traffic. Jimmy’s Grill had eight people on the payroll during this time and was open 24 hours a day. Alex said, “after Interstate 96 opened and siphoned off the through traffic”, it was just he and Marie working the restaurant, and they were no longer open overnights. Alex and Marie were able to continue in business because of loyal truckers who went out of their way to continue stopping, along with local patrons. Tragedy struck in November of 1976, as the restaurant caught fire in the middle of the night. Marie was in the hospital when the fire struck, but Alex was home and was trapped in the upstairs apartment where he died. The community mourned the loss of Alex alongside Marie and Jimmy. Jimmy decided to rebuild and reopen the restaurant. There was no insurance, so most of the work was done by family. Jimmy worked full time as a chef at Sayfee's East in Grand Rapids during this time. It took just over three years to complete the repairs and reopen. Jimmy and his father-in-law Don were partners in the reopening venture. The restaurant was family run as Jimmy, his wife Doreen and son Jimmy Jr. worked alongside Doreen’s parents Don and Donna. They continued to use Alex’s baked goods recipes which were all from scratch, no mixes were used at Jimmy’s Grill. An all-time favorite was Alex’s blueberry muffins. Opening day in March of 1980 was described as almost a mob scene, including TV News cameras. The opening brought many well-wishers, including 62 floral bouquets to welcome the Still family and the restaurant! Jimmy and Don sent the bouquets to area nursing homes and to the hospitals in Grand Rapids. Marie Still, who was now living in a nursing home, was at the reopening to help greet their loyal customers. Jimmy Jr. worked at the restaurant with his family, but his true love was entertaining. Jimmy Still Jr. entertained the Showboat crowd with his ventriloquism in 1981. The event was a talent night to decide who the twelve finalists would be who earned the chance to perform during Showboat week. Jimmy’s task was to entertain the crowd while the judges made their tough decision. Jimmy Jr went on to work as an entertainer and comedian in Las Vegas. Future owners would come along, including Ben Reynolds, Turner, and Tom Fitzgerald. They all kept the feel of Jimmy’s Grill as an “old roadhouse that seems to just invite the weary traveler to stop and sit a spell and enjoy the company of those gathered.” Unfortunately, fire struck two more times, in 2002 and finally, in 2007, ending the Jimmy’s Grill era. Today driving past the inters ection of Grand River Drive and Hastings Road, there is no evidence of the restaurant that sat on the northeastern side of the intersection, that was known for real home cooking, generous portions, baked goods, and especially, the blueberry muffins. Images: Jimmy's Grill Jimmy Still 1956, South High School Jimmy Still Jr. 1979, East Kentwood High School Jimmy's Grill Ad Jimmy's Grill |
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