Grand Haven Favorite Says Goodbye

GRAND HAVEN, Michigan — The Paisley Pig, a beloved Grand Haven gastropub that has served the community since 2017, will close its doors permanently on March 29 after nine years in business.

Owners Josh and Katie Sandberg announced the closure on Wednesday, citing the challenging restaurant industry landscape as the reason for ending their dream.

A Dream Come True

The restaurant opened at 501 Miller Drive in 2017 with a mission to bring something different to the lakeshore dining scene. The gastropub quickly built a loyal following with its menu built around locally sourced ingredients and bold flavors.

Over the years, diners could stop in for brunch, burgers, sandwiches, and salads, or heartier dinner options like Michigan bison meatloaf, battered Lake Superior walleye, American Wagyu steak, and artisan pizzas.

"When we opened The Paisley Pig in 2017, it was a dream come true," the Sandbergs wrote in a heartfelt message to guests. "We wanted to bring something different to the community, and boy did the community support us. We are so very thankful for that. Some of you have become great friends, and we've loved hosting so many of your special occasions."

Rising Costs Force Closure

Despite a brief hiatus, the Sandbergs reopened the restaurant last fall in an attempted comeback. Even with their team's efforts to bring it back, they say the restaurant industry looks very different than it did when they first launched.

"The combination of high labor costs and the significant increase in the cost of goods has made it financially impossible for us to continue forward," they said.

The owners used the announcement to highlight the challenges small, independent restaurants face.

"We can't say enough about the importance of supporting local," they wrote. "The small guys can't make it without your support."

Final Days for Guests

The restaurant's final day of service is scheduled for March 29, giving customers a few more weeks to stop in for one last meal and a chance to use any remaining gift cards.

The Paisley Pig was open everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. They were open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"Gosh, this doesn't come easy," owners Josh and Katie Sandberg said in a Facebook post. "You all helped make our dream come true."

The couple chose a closing date at the end of the month to give guests plenty of time to use gift cards and for staff to find new positions.

"We are beyond grateful for every guest who walked through our doors and every team member who helped make the dream possible," said the Sandbergs.

"We hope you'll stop in to use any gift cards, share a goodbye, and enjoy one last favorite dish or drink with us," they wrote.

The restaurant served a mix of creativity and comfort food with specialty wood-fired pizzas, handcrafted cocktails, intricate burgers, hearty sandwiches and more, all made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Community Support

The closure comes amid a wave of restaurant closings across West Michigan as small businesses struggle with rising costs. The announcement also highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses during tough economic times.

The Sandbergs thanked their community for embracing their restaurant over the years and expressed gratitude for the friendships they formed along the way.