Restaurateur leads business association in promoting community pride

WYOMING - The Division Avenue Business Association is taking an aggressive, proactive position in support of the community along Division Avenue, between 28th and 44th streets.

“We’re proud of the area and its long history in West Michigan. A lot of families have been, and still are, being supported by the businesses along this avenue,” states Tom Brann of Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille, and president of the business association.

The Division Avenue Business Association was formed in 1999 and currently lists sixty-five Division Avenue business owners on its membership rolls. The association, through its fund-raising activities, most recently purchased a bicycle for the Wyoming Police department’s bicycle patrol which monitors the Division Avenue corridor.

The association also sponsors semi-annual “clean-up” days where volunteers walk the two-mile stretch picking up trash and debris. In addition, the business group underwrites the cost of weed control along the street and sidewalks, as well as the placement of streetlight posts.

“This is what is unique about our area,” says Brann, “It is a business district, surrounded by residential neighborhoods, where people take walks and enjoy the outdoors.” This theme is currently being portrayed on billboards in the area sponsored by the association.

According to Brann, “Our goal is to keep up the community so that it continues to be a pleasant place to live and work – and everyone can be proud of their Division Avenue neighborhoods and businesses.”