Grand Rapids Commission Approves Liquor License for Miro
The restaurant plans to open on the ground floor of the downtown Marriott Residence Inn.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Dining Out
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The Grand Rapids City Commission has officially approved a development district liquor license for Miro LLC. The new Mediterranean restaurant will be located at 10 Ionia Ave. NW.
Why it matters
The approval paves the way for a new dining option to serve the downtown area near the Van Andel Arena. The move aims to revitalize a space that has been vacant since the closure of previous establishments.
The restaurant site at 10 Ionia Ave. NW previously housed Wahlburgers, which closed in August 2023, and The Foolery, which closed in July 2025.
The players
Miro LLC
This is the ownership group behind the proposed restaurant and the existing Cafe de Miro.
Grand Rapids City Commission
This is the local governing body responsible for approving municipal development and liquor license requests.
Michigan Liquor Control Commission
This state-level agency provides final oversight and authorization for liquor licenses in Michigan.
The details
Miro Mediterranean, operated by the group behind Cafe de Miro, plans to renovate the space by installing a full bar and upgrading kitchen and utility systems. The site includes an outdoor seating area and sits in close proximity to the Van Andel Arena.
Timeline
August 2023: Wahlburgers closed at the location.
July 2025: The Foolery closed at the location.
October 27, 2026: The City Commission approved the liquor license.
Culture Shift
The project follows the regulatory pattern set by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to incentivize hospitality development in designated urban districts. This move mirrors broader trends in revitalizing high-traffic downtown corridors through targeted dining investments.
Residents and arena-goers can expect a new Mediterranean dining option to open near Van Andel Arena once final state approvals are secured. The development adds to the neighborhood's existing restaurant capacity near the hotel district.
The takeaway
The successful license approval brings new potential for a high-traffic downtown site that has seen two previous tenants depart in recent years. Prospective diners should watch for official opening announcements as the project moves to the state-level review process.
Further reading
For more on the local culinary scene, visit Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
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