Grand Rapids Bar Plans To Close Earlier Due To Safety Concerns

It's hard to deny we're seeing a little more nighttime violence happening here in West Michigan than we're used to. It feels like at least once a week we're seeing a tragic overnight shooting injuring people and taking lives.

And now, that's starting to effect some of the businesses in the area that generally do most of their business in the nighttime hours.

That's why a Grand Rapids bar has decided to start closing earlier than before after a shooting happened in a nearby parking lot.

Joey's Tavern, located Fulton Street, announced on Tuesday that they intend to reduce their hours in a social media post.

In the post from August 15th, the bar said that after 'a few incidents' later at night the last few weeks, they've decided to close earlier for the foreseeable future.

Going forward, Joey's Tavern says they will be closing at midnight on Sunday-Wednesday, then at 1am on Thursdays. As for the weekends, they plan to do last call at 1:30a on Friday and Saturday.

When asked when they plan to return to normal hours, they said this

We hope to resume our normal hours as soon as possible, but we won't until we feel we have taken the necessary steps to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your understanding, support, and patronage.

While thankfully the shooting seems to be unrelated to their business, it's unfortunate to see businesses in the city having to pivot and change their model for something that is entirely out of their control.