The BOB's Mug Club

I assume that if you've been out in downtown Grand Rapids you've heard of The BOB. Ever since I moved downtown a year and half ago, I've been a frequent visitor to the restaurant/bar. Its a pretty large establishment that offers a restaurant on the second floor, an expensive bar/club on the fourth floor, a dance club on the first floor, another bar downstairs, a comedy club, and offers wedding receptions. It can get kind of pricey, however, this year one of my friends convinced me to join the BOB's Mug Club. This Mug club allows you to receive $1 beers on Tuesdays, $2.00 BOB's beers every other day, $2.00 off Growlers on Tuesdays, and 20% off food Sunday - Thursday. You also receive a free birthday dinner, not to mention these deals are good at all Gilmore collection restaurants! Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe there are 5.

Anyway, you can get all of these deals for just $25. I basically broke even the first evening I bought the card. The BOB serves their home brewed beer and they have 5 or 6 different flavors. Each beer is somewhere between 6-8%, so you're definitely getting your moneys worth! I know the manager is also thinking of offering the $1 beers on Thursdays also. For many college kids this is the ultimate way to go. Before you head out to the hot spots around town, head to the BOB and get your cheap beer before you end up spending 50 bucks somewhere else! I know other bars offer their mug clubs at around 50 dollars, but I'm not sure what other perks you end up getting. If you want to try it out the membership lasts you a year! Its worth it!

I decided to pick the company Cabela's for my presentation coming up in about a month. I picked the company for several reasons, one being I love the products the company has to offer. I love the outdoors and hunting and fishing are two of my favorite hobbies. Cabela's has anything and everything to offer for those two activities! Anyway, I haven't been there since earlier this year, but I began doing some research on the company this weekend. I found some interesting quotes and opinions from people while surfing the internet. As a man from East Hartford put it, "It's more or less, like a woman goes to shop. This is where a dude goes to shop," the 60-year-old said. "Everything that you say you're not going to get, you get. It's good. It offers a lot." Smith, of Windsor, said he arrived around 6:45 a.m. to see about 150 people on line before him. He was waiting for the store to open ever since the company announced its plans to come to East Hartford.
I thought about the quote this man said and thought about any women who had actually expressed interest in going to Cabela's. I couldn't think of one! It pretty much seems like a man's store. I looked into it a little more and found tha Cabela's also has A LOT of good finds for their female shoppers, from footwear to casual clothing. The company basically just does a pretty poor job of marketing their womens items. As a website explained, "they seem to assume that it's just important to have some merchandise "for the ladies" who are accompanying their husbands. "
This was interesting to me, I had never really thought about how they have womens apparel andwomens items but how they fail to market ANYTHING towards women. I don't think the store ever will change their marketing strategy but it was just something to think about. By the way, when Im married Im going to explain to my wife that Cabela's HAS womens stuff...hopefully she'll let me make the trip out there!

Little Mexico Cafe

As I was driving home from a friend’s apartment on Friday evening, I began to see smoke. I was headed south on stocking street in the northwest side of Grand Rapids. As I approached Bridge, I realized the Little Mexico Cafe was burning before my eyes. There were fire trucks everywhere and policemen directing traffic. The Café turned out to be a total loss. News 13 reported firefighters fought the blaze from the inside for about 45 minutes, until the building became unstable.
The reason I took the time to blog about this restaurant is that my father loved to take our family here when we were children. My dad grew up on the northwest side of town and he remembered dining at the restaurant when he was younger. The food was always excellent and the experience was great! Besides a short period of being closed from 95’ to 99’, the establishment has been operating since the mid 1960’s. I wouldn’t say it’s located in the best part of town, but despite its location the restaurant has done well. I believe the News 13 article put it best. “The café has been popular for its neighborhood bar atmosphere, good food, original artwork and murals painted by painted by artist Bill Bouwsema to represent the Aztec Indian civilization and Morale’s heritage.” “For a time, it was a popular place for dignitaries to visit. Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, dinned with a local family at Little Mexico while campaigning in Grand Rapids in October 2000. Additionally, President Gerald R. Ford, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and singer Willie Nelson were also counted as customers.”
The restaurant reminds me of Trini’s, which is another Mexican café that is very popular in Sparta. I would have to say I like Trini’s better because of the amazing atmosphere and excellent service. However, I enjoyed going to The Little Mexico Café because of its location to my apartment. I’m curious to see if the owners will rebuild the restaurant. Time will tell, but for now Ill have to find another Mexican Café to enjoy!