The 1850 Room Opens in Grand Rapids on Monroe Center

ArtPrize is officially taking over Grand Rapids, and with more than a million visitors expected, the timing could not be better for a new local spot to open its doors.

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Setting up shop in the former House of Wine space at 53 Monroe Center St. NW, The 1850 Room is joining the excitement as an official ArtPrize venue. The name itself pays homage to a major hometown milestone: 1850 was the year Grand Rapids was officially incorporated as a city.

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The 1850 Room Opens on Monroe Center Downtown Grand Rapids

The concept is brought to life by Belmont native Norma Gordon, who brings over two decades of food and beverage industry experience to downtown GR. Her goal for the history-themed spot is to create a warm, modern lounge built for casual hangouts, remote work sessions, and business meetings alike.

Coffee Bar and Cold Kitchen Menu

So what can you expect when you step inside during the festival? Think of it as a flexible hybrid coffee shop and social lounge.

During the day, it functions as a downtown espresso bar where you can grab a latte, pull up a chair, and get some work done. Here's a look at the interior:

On the food side, they are launching with a "cold kitchen" menu while working toward expanding to a full kitchen down the road.

For now, the lineup focuses on fresh, elevated bites like morning pastries, lunch wraps, crisp salads, and shareable small plates, including deviled eggs and shrimp cocktail.

Liquor License Status and Current Hours

If you are hoping to order a craft cocktail while checking out the local artwork, you will have to hang tight just a little longer. While plans for handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, and local beer on tap are central to the vibe, The 1850 Room is still waiting on its liquor license.

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In the meantime, they are operating on limited hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. as they settle into Monroe Center and get everything dialed in.

You can check out the ArtPrize entries on display at The 1850 Room on their official venue page. Follow them on Facebook for updates on their liquor license status, expanded kitchen menu, and full operating hours!