This is the best news I have experienced since coming to West Michigan.

Growing up, my mother and I would go on mommy-daughter dates to different restaurants in our area of Maryland.

BJ's Restaurant was one of the many restaurants that we frequent. Now, that one of their restaurants is coming to Grand Rapids, it is like having a piece of home with me.

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BJ's Restaurant is in motion to replace the old Toys R Us at the Shops at CenterPoint mall.

This portion of the commercial building has been vacant since 2018 when Toys R Us permanently closed.

The plan for BJ's Restaurant is to demolish the old Toys R Us and build a new 7,662-square-foot restaurant.

BJ's Restaurant may have started off as a pizza spot, but now it has expanded to serving so much more. The restaurant chain serves the typical American food you know and love, such as hamburgers, salads, ribs, pasta, and more.

According to the website, the restaurant will be the fifth BJ's Restaurant in Michigan, however, it will be the first in West Michigan.

The Grand Rapids location will have a dining room and bar area that can fit almost 300 people with the proposed addition of an outdoor patio space. This specific location will also be selling alcohol with the option of beer and wine to go.

Out of the four locations currently in operation, Lansing is the closest to West Michiganders until the Grand Rapids location opens.

If you have never been to BJ's Restaurant, no worries, I have got you covered. Here are a few menu items you should try when the Grand Rapids location opens.

Who doesn't love mac & cheese? The best part is that it is a pop-in-your-mouth type of food. A new addition to the menu is the fried couscous mac & cheese balls. They are definitely a menu starter that the entire family can enjoy together before the main course!

The chicken bacon ranch pizza is one of my mom's recommendations. So, you must try it because who tells a mother that she is wrong? Have fun with that journey 😂

If you or your little munchkin(s) do not like brussels sprouts, this might be the way that you may enjoy them. BJ's honey sriracha brussels sprouts are worth fighting over.

You can never... I mean never..forget the classic Pizookie.

According to the BJ's website, a Pizzoke is "a chocolate chip cookie that has been baked inside a personal-sized pizza pan." It comes with different topping options but it always feels like a warm hug.

Are you in search of a job this summer? The company is hiring for the Grand Rapids location as we speak.

Bars and Restaurants Participating in Lansing's Social Districts

Have you ever heard of a "social district"? It's an area that allows you to enjoy booze while out in the great outdoors. And by great outdoors, I mean some city blocks downtown. Lansing has officially decided to make the once temporary social districts a permanent fixture. Now, you can enjoy your favorite beer, wine, or cocktails in certain public areas in Lansing. You can find Lansing's social districts in Downtown, REO Town, and Old Town. Check out the list below to see which bars and restaurants are participating.

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