As the name suggests, 84 East Food & Spirits is located at 84 East 8th Street, within a vintage brownstone building near the Knickerbocker Theater and was opened in late April, 1993.
84 East creates an atmosphere of an industrial past. Inside, the warehouse looking building displays the original brick walls, high archways and sculptured tin ceiling. Large faded-looking advertisements featuring longtime area businesses are painted on the brick walls. A feeling of spacious intimacy is further enhanced by the muted color tones. One begins to feel he or she is dining in an old abandoned warehouse, surrounded by good food, good spirits and good times.
The "Lakeshore Interurban" railroad which operated between Holland and Grand Rapids at the turn of the 20th century, used to run through the present location of 84 East Food & Spirits. In the above photo on the right, you can see one of the archways through which the train used to pass. The photo on the left shows an original sign for the railroad. The sign reads, "Ride 70 miles an hour to your favorite resort - The Lakeshore Interurban." As seen throughout the restaurant, 84 East Food & Spirits has taken great care and pride in preserving many advertisements from 19th and 20th century West Michigan businesses.
