In the years following COVID-19, Michigan’s restaurant industry has faced a complicated recovery. While dining demand has returned, operators are navigating rising costs, labor shortages, and one persistent challenge: access to capital. Traditional lenders often view restaurants as high-risk, leaving many entrepreneurs stuck between a strong concept and limited funding.
That was the reality for Raphael and Jessica, co-owners of Garden District, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids.
From New Orleans Flavor to Grand Rapids Grit
Garden District was born out of a deeply personal experience. Raphael recalls: “We started this with the vision of kind of bringing hospitality back to the dining room table—more of a family-style, where food reminds you of when passion was in cooking… it was love and heart.”
As an entrepreneurial couple with strong business acumen, their goal became clear: recreate that same sense of connection in Grand Rapids. “Taking a little bit of New Orleans and bringing it to Grand Rapids so that they can have the same type of experience,” he adds.
But turning that vision into a business proved far more difficult. “We started from the ground up. We had an idea, and we didn’t know where to start,” Raphael says. They had operational experience but lacked the knowledge, capital and roadmap to launch. “We started from the ground up. We had an idea, and we didn’t know where to start,” Raphael recollects.
Adding to the challenge, many lenders were hesitant. “Usually people do not give loans for restaurants… it’s such an up and down industry,” he explains. That changed when they connected with OppFund.
A Collaborative Community Lender
When the owners connected with OppFund, it quickly evolved into something more collaborative than they had expected. “Alexis broke down everything that we would need,” Raphael recalls. More importantly, the relationship went beyond transactional lending. “It almost felt like we started this restaurant with Alexis and OppFund,” he says.
From licensing guidance to vendor connections, OppFund acted as both advisor and advocate. “Alexis was there step by step… ‘Hey, contact these people,’ or ‘I know this person—I’m going to connect you,’” Raphael explains.
That kind of care and support extended through the application and underwriting process. And such a hands-on approach stands in contrast to traditional lending institutions. “It doesn’t feel like you’re dealing with some capital company where they could care less about you… I honestly feel like… they’ve become like real partners to us,” he says.
The impact of OppFund’s support was immediate and practical. “It definitely helped with the initial payroll and financing that we needed to get off of the ground,” Raphael explains. Like many first-time restaurant operators, they faced unexpected costs, including repairs tied to the building’s previous ownership. Without flexible capital, such setbacks could have derailed the project.
Beyond financing, one of the most important benefits OppFund provided was something less tangible: confidence. “If it wasn’t for OppFund, we probably would not have the faith in our business that we do have right now,” Jessica says.
Building a Business and a Safety Net
Even in uncertain times, the business has gained traction. “The restaurant has been pretty successful over the last year, and we’ve been so busy in the thick of it,” Jessica shares.
With stability comes the ability to think ahead. “We’re able to start looking at expanding… and [OppFund] is working with us on how to reimagine where we can go from this point,” Raphael says.
That confidence is rooted in trust and relationship-building. In fact, the connection became deeply personal. “I feel like we could have invited Alexis and Bryce over for Thanksgiving,” he adds. For small business owners navigating one of the toughest industries in the economy, that kind of partnership can make all the difference.
Reflecting on their journey, Jessica sums it up simply: “If it was not for OppFund, we wouldn’t have the community ties and success that we have today.”
Today, Garden District sits on Monroe Center in downtown Grand Rapids, offering more than just food but a shared experience rooted in culture, connection, and resilience. And behind every plate served is a reminder: in an industry defined by risk, the right support system can turn uncertainty into opportunity.
