Public Restaurant in Zeeland returns after being closed for over 2 years

Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel
Updated ·1 min read

ZEELAND — More than two years after shuttering in downtown Zeeland, Public Restaurant is back.

The eatery hosted a grand reopening Tuesday, June 25.

“It was amazing,” said owner Lucas Grill. “We were overwhelmed with support and our opening night was incredible. … It’s what I expected, but it shows you again how much this community loves Public and how much we love the community.”

Returning customers noticed many of the same elements — especially the menu — but Grill has tweaked some recipes and the interior.

Public Restaurant has officially reopened in Zeeland, with an updated interior and menu, but many of the same familiar touches.
Public Restaurant has officially reopened in Zeeland, with an updated interior and menu, but many of the same familiar touches.
Public Restaurant has officially reopened in Zeeland, with an updated interior and menu, but many of the same familiar touches.
Public Restaurant has officially reopened in Zeeland, with an updated interior and menu, but many of the same familiar touches.
Public Restaurant has officially reopened in Zeeland, with an updated interior and menu, but many of the same familiar touches.
Public Restaurant has officially reopened in Zeeland, with an updated interior and menu, but many of the same familiar touches.

The restaurant closed in December 2021 after Moxy Dental, formerly Smedley Dental — which then owned the building at 131 and 133 E. Main Ave. — expressed an interest in expanding.

The city later denied Moxy's request to operate in the street-facing portions of the building, which officials preferred to save for retailers, restaurants and personal service. In the end, a three-story mixed-use development and pedestrian passageway project at 135 and 137 E. Main Ave. gave Moxy the opportunity to expand elsewhere.

Grill owns 1983 Restaurants, which operates Seventy-Six, Poquito and Obstacle No. 1 in Holland. Public was the company's first restaurant.

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“I think the biggest thing we can do is to continue to show people that it’s more than just a meal, it’s an experience,” Grill said. “I want people to feel as if they're stepping into someone’s home and eating. We're going to continue to try to deliver that.”

Learn more at publiczeeland.com.

— Contact reporter Austin Metz at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: 1983 Restaurants reopens Public Restaurant on Main Ave in Zeeland

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