![They’re Tearing Down The Great Lakes Shipping Company](http://townsquare.media/site/45/files/2016/11/great-lakes-shipping-exterior.jpg?w=980&q=75)
They’re Tearing Down The Great Lakes Shipping Company
Change is always difficult in life, and when a favorite spot of yours, shop, theater, restaurant, bar, closes, you feel a loss. It had been a part of your life, and you hate to see it end.
I get a sad, nostalgic feeling when I drive by Breton Village, by way of Burton, now. The long running, classic watering hole/restaurant, Great Lakes Shipping Company is coming down. It closed in May, but they have now begun tearing it down. Sniff...sniff.
Thanks to the web site, GR Retro, we can relive a few memories.
The food was always consistent, not gourmet but good, hearty meals. The drinks were well served, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
The restaurant was the longest-running tenant for Breton Village, built in 1971 and opening as The Starboard Tack, ah yes, I remember that, by West Michigan restaurateur Richard DenUyl. DenUyl died in 2008. He had opened nearly 20 restaurants in his career, including the Point West Inn overlooking Lake Macatawa in Holland, which is also gone.
Their lease wasn't renewed. The owners of the property said the restaurant didn't fit their plans for the renewed Breton Village, and there was no other place to move. The Great Lakes Shipping Company had been a favorite spot in Grand Rapids for so long. I hate to see another one bite the dust.
More From 100.5 FM The River
![Great Memories of These Grand Rapids Restaurants!](http://townsquare.media/site/45/files/2018/03/attachment-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sun Sai Gai – A Great Grand Rapids Restaurant Memory](http://townsquare.media/site/45/files/2024/02/attachment-Sun-Sai-Gai-Featured.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Does Grand Rapids Have Any Five-Star Restaurants? We Have One!](http://townsquare.media/site/45/files/2023/09/attachment-Grand-Rapids-downtown-monroe-center.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Why is Grand Rapids Green Well Restaurant Closing?](http://townsquare.media/site/45/files/2023/01/attachment-Green-Well-Google.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Date For Two Ideas in West Michigan For National Couples Day](http://townsquare.media/site/44/files/2022/08/attachment-Lish-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Best Restaurant in the World Comes To West Michigan](http://townsquare.media/site/44/files/2022/07/attachment-Restaurants.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Taco Tuesday: Stan’s Tacos is Serving Up Flavor and Fun in West Michigan](http://townsquare.media/site/44/files/2022/02/attachment-Untitled-design-21.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sources: ALL Businesses Closing Inside The B.O.B. in Grand Rapids](http://townsquare.media/site/46/files/2021/12/attachment-bob-outside.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is It The Best Burger You’ve Ever Had? The Reviews Are In For Wahlburgers…](http://townsquare.media/site/46/files/2021/12/attachment-burger-feature.jpg?w=980&q=75)