Mike Granchi
Oct 9, 2026
Interesting Facts |
Kalamazoo and Portage, Michigan sit side by side in southwest Michigan and together form one of the Midwest's most quietly surprising metro areas. Here are a few things most people never know about them:
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Kroger has purchased a vacant shopping center on South Westnedge Avenue in Portage, potentially bringing a new full-service grocery store to an area already served by Aldi and Fresh Thyme Market. The story explores what increased competition could mean for shoppers, neighboring businesses, and the future of this busy retail corridor. No official opening plans have been announced. Read More... |
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Kalamazoo's Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 planning effort invites residents to think about the city's future. From housing and transportation to neighborhoods, parks, and local businesses, the article explores how Kalamazoo can continue growing while preserving the character that makes it special. Readers are encouraged to share what they'd change—and what they'd protect—over the next decade. Read More... |
2 readers are talking about this | Top first |
GM | Grace M. · 1 week ago As someone who grew up here, I really hope we can keep our older neighborhoods looking great and make them even more walkable. If we added m…
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Friendship Village Kalamazoo is expanding with 76 new independent-living residences, a 40-bed skilled nursing center, and upgraded dining and community spaces. But the bigger story is how retirement itself is changing. Today's retirees increasingly want active lifestyles, social connections, independence, and opportunities to enjoy life well beyond their working years. The expansion offers a glimpse into how senior living communities are adapting to those expectations. Read More... |
Around Town: Events & Live Music
October 9–16, 2026 There's plenty happening around Kalamazoo and Portage this week! From comic books and curious collectibles to farmers markets and live music, here are some ways to get out and enjoy the community. Community Events
Fall Stamp & Cover Show — October 9–10 Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Expo North. Starts Friday at 10 AM. Browse collectible stamps, postcards, postal covers, exhibits, and a youth booth.
Geek Fest — Saturday, October 10 11 AM–3 PM | Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Expo South. This free, all-ages community comic con features cosplay, robotics, games, artwork, comic books, and special guests.
Toddler Mini Rave — Saturday, October 10 4–6 PM | Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room A. A glow-themed dance party for children ages six and younger, featuring music, face painting, dinner, and more.
Portage Invitational Cross Country Meet — Saturday, October 10 All day | Portage West Middle School area. Thousands of runners and spectators will gather for this major annual competition. Expect heavier traffic around Moorsbridge, Romence, and Centre Avenue.
West Michigan Oddfest — Sunday, October 11 10 AM–5 PM | Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Expo South. Explore unusual artwork, collectibles, taxidermy, bones, bugs, books, and Halloween-themed creations. A costume contest adds to the fun!
Portage Zhang Farmers Market — Sunday, October 11 9 AM–1 PM | Portage Zhang Senior Center. Shop for seasonal produce and other locally offered goods while supporting area vendors.
Portage Community Art Award Exhibition — October 12–16 7:30 AM–5:30 PM weekdays | Portage City Hall. Enjoy artwork on display as part of the community art exhibition. Live Music Around Town
Erica Soto — Friday, October 9 8:30 PM | Dabney & Co., Kalamazoo. Enjoy an evening of R&B and Latin soul. Free admission.
Seventh Sun — Friday, October 9 5:30 PM | Old Dog Tavern, Kalamazoo. An early-evening live music option to start the weekend.
The AJL Band — Friday, October 9 8 PM | Louie's Lake Bar, Kalamazoo. Kick off your Friday night with live music.
The 1985: Totally 80's Mixtape LIVE! — Saturday, October 10 8 PM | Bell's Eccentric Café, Kalamazoo. Take a musical trip back to the 1980s with a night of familiar hits.
JR Clark Band — Saturday, October 10 7 PM | Old Dog Tavern, Kalamazoo. Another Saturday-night option for local music fans.
Stundom — Wednesday, October 14 7 PM | Bell's Eccentric Café, Kalamazoo. Part of the Connecting Chords Music Festival.
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers — Friday, October 16 8 PM | Bell's Eccentric Café, Kalamazoo. Rock out with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, joined by Ike Reilly featuring Shane Reilly.
Jormilit Garcia: Latin Night — Friday, October 16 8:30 PM | Dabney & Co., Kalamazoo. Latin and jazz sounds with two evening sets.
Event details, admission requirements, and schedules can change. Check with the organizer before heading out. |
New & Noteworthy Restaurants Around Kalamazoo and Portage
From brand-new eateries to familiar favorites offering something different, there's plenty happening on the local food scene. Here are five places worth checking out! New Joyfong Modern Cuisine — A Familiar Favorite Returns!8136 Portage Road, Portage A longtime Portage favorite has a fresh new chapter! Joy Fong has reopened under new ownership with an updated dining room, new menu offerings, and the return of dine-in service.
For longtime customers, it's an opportunity to revisit a familiar name. For newcomers, it's a chance to discover a restaurant with deep roots in the community. Noon — A Fresh New Lunch Option826 E. Cork Street, Kalamazoo Looking for something different at lunchtime? Noon is a newer addition to Kalamazoo's dining scene, offering salads, wraps, soups, and sides.
The restaurant shares a location with House of Soul and Seafood, operating at different times with separate food preparation areas. It's another option for anyone looking to mix up their usual lunch routine. The Cozy Clover — Homemade Goodness in Galesburg10 E. Michigan Avenue, Galesburg Sometimes the best discoveries are just a short drive away!
The Cozy Clover brings scratch-made breakfast favorites to downtown Galesburg, including homemade sausage, biscuits, bread, and jams.
If you enjoy small-town restaurants where breakfast gets special attention, this newcomer might be worth adding to your list. Kazoopy's Expands — And Adds Ice Cream!6040 S. 12th Street, Kalamazoo Kazoopy's certainly isn't new to Kalamazoo, but its latest location is!
The longtime local pizza and grinder favorite has expanded to South 12th Street near the Milham Road roundabout.
And there's a sweet bonus: Buttercup's Ice Cream! Alongside pizza, grinders, and calzones, customers can now enjoy sundaes, floats, flurries, and other frozen treats.
Dinner and dessert in one stop? That's a pretty good combination! Maestro's Pizza — Pizza With a Side of Entertainment!6070 S. 12th Street, Kalamazoo Maestro's Pizza isn't a new restaurant, but it's one worth highlighting for anyone looking for more than a meal.
Along with specialty pizzas, smoked wings, sandwiches, and a full bar, Maestro's offers entertainment that can turn dinner into an evening out.
Tuesday-night Singo — a musical twist on traditional bingo — has been part of its entertainment lineup, along with occasional live music.
Whether you're meeting friends for pizza or looking for a casual night out, Maestro's offers another reason to explore the local restaurant scene.
Check its current entertainment schedule before making plans.
Have you tried any of these restaurants? We'd love to hear which local places you're enjoying lately — especially those hidden gems that deserve a little more attention! |
Help Us Reach 1,000 Neighbors!
We're getting close to a pretty exciting milestone here at KP Vibe — 800 subscribers and counting!
Our next goal? 1,000 neighbors enjoying a little more of what's happening around Kalamazoo and Portage every week.
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See you next week! |