(Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

It’s always sad when a local restaurant closes. There are so many chain restaurants out there, so having local restaurants that thrive is just a special thing in any city. Most of my favorite spots to eat are locally-owned- the food is just so fresh and always made with love.

This is a feel-good story, as I’m happy to report that a popular Michigan restaurant is back in action after closing for more than a year during the pandemic. The pandemic, obviously, forced many local eating spots to close down, and some are reopening now, which is great news.

In February 2021, Big E’s Sports Grill closed its West Michigan locations due to the pandemic and issues that ensued from that. The West Michigan locations included Big E’s in Holland, downtown Grand Rapids, and East Beltline in Grand Rapids.

Now, the good news is that Big E’s in Holland just reopened its doors this week. The restaurant shared the news in a Facebook post, stating, “Today is the day, Big E’s Sports Grill is BACK!!!! Come see us today for the Michigan vs Villanova at 7:29. Our team has been working and training hard to prepare for this day. We can’t wait to see you!” They added that their new hours of operation will be Thursday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Just in time for the NCAA Tournament and watching all that basketball action. No word yet on when the other locations will reopen, but this is certainly a good start. The restaurant also has a beautiful patio, so the reopening is just in time for the warm spring and summer months, too. Do you have a favorite local restaurant that is reopening following being closed due to the pandemic? If so, let me know on social media, and I might do a story on them!

Michigan: The 35 Best Places to Live in the State for 2022

  • Read on for the 35 Best Places to Live in the Michigan for 2022

    This list is courtesy of Niche.

  • Okemos

    Okemos

    Enjoy the convenience of this beautiful community and quiet location near Michigan State University.

  • Troy

    Troy

    Troy's unique location in the heart of Oakland County, only 20 minutes from Detroit

  • Bloomfield Township

    Bloomfield Township

    The Charter Township of Bloomfield is home to 41,000 people.

  • Huntington Woods

    Huntington Woods

    The western portion of the Detroit Zoo is located within the city limits. In 2013, Huntington Woods was ranked the #10 best suburb to live in by Market Watch.

  • Beverly Hills

    Welcome to Beverly Hills, MI

    Welcome to Beverly Hills, MI

  • Grosse Pointe Park

    Grosse Pointe Park

    Grosse Pointe Park is located on Lake Saint Clair about 10 miles northeast of Detroit.

  • Novi

    Novi

    Home to Suburban Collection Showplace, the largest privately owned Conference, Convention and Exhibition Center in Michigan, hosting a variety of events year round.

  • East Grand Rapids

    East Grand Rapids

    The highlight of East Grand Rapids is the Gaslight Village shopping district. It also features John Collins Park on Reeds Lake, with a well-developed walking trail along the lake.

  • Northville

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  • Haslett

    Haslett

    The Michigan State University Sailing Club and Lansing Sailing Club are located on Lake Lansing. Enjoy a day at the beach, fishing for the day or watching the sail boats skim across the lake.

  • Ann Arbor

    Ann Arbor

    Located in Southeast Michigan, just 45 miles west of Detroit and 35 miles north of the Ohio border. Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan, one of the country's most prestigious public universities.

  • Birmingham

    Birmingham

    Birmingham is located in southeast Michigan, just minutes from Detroit.

  • Lodi Township

    Lodi Township

    Gilbert Allen is said to be the first practical temperance apostle in the town. He built the first barn, and presented his friends with the pure aqua vitae instead of the ordinary "calamity water" introduced on such occasions. Yet it is positively stated that T.

  • Grosse Pointe Farms

    City of Grosse Pointe Farms

    Welcome to City of Grosse Pointe Farms

  • Farmington

    Farmington

    The Farmington Civic Theater, fully remodeled to preserve its 1940's flair and décor, offers film showings on two screens and easy access to many downtown eateries and coffes shops.

  • Royal Oak

    Royal Oak, MI | Official Website

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  • Berkley

  • Eastgate

    Living in Eastgate

    Eastgate is a neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a population of 9,421. Eastgate is in Kent County and is one of the best places to live in Michigan. Living in Eastgate offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes.

  • Northville Township

    Northville Township, MI

    The Charter Township of Northville is a vibrant, safe and active community of 31,000 located in western Wayne County. What was once a quaint farming region, now is a thriving, charming residential and business community. Home to some of the world's leading automotive research and development firms, it also has an extensive network of pathways, wooded areas and parks.

  • Grosse Pointe

    Grosse Pointe

    Grosse Pointe is located about 10 miles northeast of Detroit, Michigan's largest city.

  • Eastown

    Living in Eastown

    Eastown is a neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a population of 9,074. Eastown is in Kent County and is one of the best places to live in Michigan. Living in Eastown offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes.

  • Fulton Heights

    Living in Fulton Heights

    See what it's like to live in the Fulton Heights neighborhood of Grand Rapids with reviews and statistics on crime, real estate, and cost of living.

  • Forest Hills

    Living in Forest Hills

    Forest Hills is a suburb of Grand Rapids with a population of 27,830. Forest Hills is in Kent County and is one of the best places to live in Michigan. Living in Forest Hills offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes.

  • Franklin

    Franklin Cider Mill

    Description A national historical site, built in 1832. We sell many fresh products including freshly pressed cider, hot donuts, freshly baked pies and caramel and candy apples made on the premises. We also have smoked beef and many varieties of cheese. Open Labor Day weekend - Thanksgiving weekend.

  • Pittsfield Township

    Pittsfield Charter Township, MI - Official Website | Official Website

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  • Larkin Charter Township

    Welcome to Larkin Charter Township

    Larkin Charter Township mailed out post cards for an online survey to gauge interest in a drainage district for residents of the Waskevich, Whispering Pines, and Woodland Estates subdivisions. Please use the link below to access the survey and submit by 5 p.m. on April 7, 2022.

  • Rochester Hills

    Rochester Hills, MI

    Established in 1984, the City of Rochester Hills is a prosperous community offering residents and businesses superior services. Voted one of the top places to live by several sources including CNNMoney magazine, Rochester Hills is committed to sustaining its position among the nation's preeminent places to live, work and raise a family.

  • Pleasant Ridge

    Pleasant Ridge

    Pleasant Ridge is located about 15 miles north of Detroit, Michigan's largest city.

  • Grosse Pointe Woods

    Grosse Pointe Woods Michigan Home Page

    2021 Water Quality Report This report provides a snapshot of the drinking water quality for Grosse Pointe Woods for the calendar year 2020

  • Farmington Hills

    Farmington Hills

    Play 18 at the Farmington Hills Golf Club, an 175 acre course with manicured bent grass tees, fairways, and greens, ponds, and gently rolling hills. It's Tee Time in Farmington Hills.

  • Rochester

    Downtown Rochester, MI

    A perfect mix of historic and hip, downtown Rochester attracts both local residents and visitors from across the state of Michigan. Downtown Rochester is home to more than 350 shops, salons, restaurants and professional service businesses; 85% of which are independent merchants.

  • Oakland Charter Township

    About Oakland Township

    Charter Township of Oakland is a charter township in the northeastern portion of Oakland County, in the outskirts of Metro Detroit, in the State of Michigan. The population was 16,779 at the 2010 census. Oakland Township is less densely populated than neighboring townships to the west, south, and east; and retains many elements of a rural, wooded residential bedroom community.

  • St. Joseph

    St. Joseph

    Poised atop a bluff along the Lake Michigan shore, sits quaint St. Joseph, one of Michigan's featured Beachtowns. Brick streets welcome visitors downtown to relax as they browse through unique shops and enjoy dining spots in this resort town. Shops display art, antiques, collectibles and lighthouse memorabilia in addition to clothing and giftware.

  • Plymouth

    Home

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  • Ottawa Hills

    Ottawa Lake

    Ottawa Lake is located about 35 miles southwest of Monroe.

Anne Erickson's love for music drew her into radio, and she started shortly after graduating from MSU. She has a passion for rock and metal, plus local music. She also fronts the band Upon Wings. Email Anne at erickson@WRIF.com, follow her on Instagram at @EricksonAnne and tweet at her @AnneErickson!