Here's to another Grand Rapids "Blast from the Past," Kale's Korner, a mainstay of Bridge Street for over 40-years.

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Foursquare.com
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Kale's Korner Bar was a little bar that anyone could stop in to for a friendly visit and a drink. You would always meet friends, or, make new ones.

Facebook/Grand Rapids Before 1960
Facebook/Grand Rapids Before 1960
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Order a pizza, shoot some pool, just one of the many "watering holes" in Grand Rapids neighborhoods, this being on the West Side.

Robert Kale, renowned to be the fastest bartender in the west, owned the bar with his wife for 43-years, and passed away in October, 2020 at age 79. He was always joking and serving his customers and leaving them laughing.

The bar closed, due to the pandemic and Kale's death, and never reopened. The classic building, built in the early 1920s, had been many things including Charles Powloski - soft drinks at one time.

Facebook/Grand Rapids before 1960
Facebook/Grand Rapids before 1960
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It had different names on and off, including  “Four Seasons Lounge,” ” Tom’s Lounge,” and according to past information, The Apartment Lounge was located there for a bit.

Bridge Street Market

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Google Street View
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But, time waits for no man, and Bridge Street has been going through a complete re-birth with the addition of so many new businesses that is making it a true business and entertainment destination of the West Side. It includes Meijer's Bridge Street Market,

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Google Street View
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Bridge Street Lofts, Condado Taco's,

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Google Street View
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New Holland Brewing,

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Google Street View
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The Jolly Pumpkin,

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Google Street View
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Butchers Union,

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Google Street View
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O'Toole's, and many more.

Who knows, maybe whoever buys the Kale's Korner spot will add it to the list of business or entertainment  destinations of Grand Rapids West Side.

 

MORE: Some Fun Photos From Michigan's Past

 

 

 

 

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