What Happened to Grand Rapids’ J Gardella’s? Something New is Coming!

J. Gardella's Tavern in downtown Grand Rapids, was a long time staple to the Ionia entertainment district. Opening in 1996 in an historic 1890's building, J. Gardella's was one of the first bar/restaurants to open after the Van Andel Arena opened, and became a main stop for those downtown. Twenty Four years later, 2020, it closed and the building sold. It has been empty since then, that is until now.

Today, that space is coming back to life as a high-end restaurant offering seated dining, private spaces and a cozy lounge.

Website Crains Grand Rapids says it has taken almost two years of work, but the three-story building will be a shinning star again in the Grand Rapids restaurant scene.

The new restaurant will be known as Scholar. Michael Winks, president of lending and retail banking at Northpointe Bank, said he’s getting ready to open the doors again with a new restaurant focused on high-quality food and service in a luxury setting, while preserving and celebrating the unique history of the classic building. "High cuisine without the older stuffy feel,” is what Winks is after, and hoping to open by the end of July.

The kitchen is expanding and they are adding five new restrooms. Also there will be  two new bars one on the second floor and one on the lower level. One has to ask, though, what about the nearly 130-year-old, 30-foot handmade bar on the main floor that reportedly came from a Chicago hotel?

No problem there because of course it's staying.

The ground floor of the new Scholar, also called The Commons, will host the historic bar with tables and velvet booth seating. The second floor will feature the main dining space with a smaller bar, more booth seating and a dining room to host private parties. The Study in the lower level will have a “loungey feel” with sofas, a newly added fireplace.

And the food? Taylor Boeschenstein will serve as executive chef, and is planning a menu based around “early American” flavors, offering a wide variety of simple, hearty dishes from locally-sourced, fresh ingredients.

Sounds great. Can't wait to see the changes and for it to open!