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WZZM 13 ONLINE
Public, restaurant under construction in downtown Zeeland.
ZEELAND, Mich. (WZZM) -- A West Michigan man is making history by breaking ground on the first business to sell alcohol in downtown Zeeland.
Demolition began this week for "Public," which will be in the middle of Main Street.
Even older than the chiming clock is the tradition in downtown Zeeland not to sell alcohol.
"I think Zeeland is ready to go over the cliff," says Luke Grill, owner of Public.
Instead of shying away, Grill saw it as a golden opportunity. He turned potential obstacles like nearby churches into friends.
"It was a great marriage, if you will. They had no objections. The city was awesome and so was the church, " says Grill.
Demolition is underway so Grill's one of a kind restaurant can soon open.
"I don't know if I'm a trendsetter, just a guy with a dream to open a business," says Grill.
Zeeland only began allowing alcohol to be sold in 2006. Some long-time residents aren't ready for the change.
"I like it the way it is. I've grown up in Zeeland my whole life and I like it dry, " says Susan Sietsema.
One other restaurant, Vitale's Pizza, began selling alcohol outside the downtown area several years ago.
"We've had no trouble at all," says Ryan Synder, owner of Vitale's Pizza.
"We don't feel it will cause drastically change the framework in the community. It just gives folks another option," says Timothy Klunder, Zeeland's city manager.
For Grill, construction should come naturally. Afterall, he's used to breaking down walls that stand in his way.
Public is expected to officially open in late spring. Grill hopes other restaurants will soon follow in his footsteps.
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