Pearl Street Big Boy is NO More! They Are Closed Forever!

Earlier this month I wrote about the Pearl Street Big Boy and it's history. Rumors had been swirling that is was closed, but I found that in fact it wasn't and still serving that delicious food that it had been for almost 60 years.

Well, hold your horses, that was then and things sure have changed. If you're craving a Slim Jim, you're going to have a tough time finding one in Grand Rapids because the Pearly Street location is now officially closed. So sad.

WZZM reported there was a sign on the door reading:

 "Sorry this location is now closed. Come see us at our Wyoming location on Wilson Ave."

What in iconic spot the downtown location was for generations.

BIG BOY 1964

Originally built in 1964, in the '60s and early '70s, it was the last stop for "The circuit". Cars drove the circuit from Dog N Suds, down Michigan hill, to Big Boy. It was the hot spot on weekend nights...some of the fastest cars in the city would cruise in there. On Saturday nights there were lines of cars for blocks in every direction.

BIG BOY 1974

Everyone thought A Kum & Go Convenience Store hoped to demolish and take over the location in May 2022. However, the developer pulled the project before the planning commission could take action.

Now this spot has been mentioned as the possible location for a new soccer stadium that is in the works.

Rendering of Proposed SOCCER STADIUM

So now what can you do for that Slim Jim, or the Big Boy burger? The next closest location is at 4950 Wilson in Wyoming.

There is also a Big Boy in Cedar Springs on White Creek Avenue.

Also, three more in West Michigan, Muskegon, Wayland and Greenville.

Nearly all of the Big Boy restaurants are in Michigan, but there are a few out west. You'll find some Big Boy's in North Dakota, Nevada and California.

That's rather a long hike just to get a Slim Jim, but, hey, it might be fun. I'll have a milk shake with that, please!