Around a dozen Holland area businesses are closed, operating under shortened hours or otherwise supporting a national effort to protest against federal immigration enforcement.
The fatal shootings of Renee Good (Jan. 7) and Alex Pretti (Jan. 24) in Minneapolis have intensified national debate about the methods used by ICE. In response, businesses across the country, including in Holland, are participating in an “ICE Out” protest Jan. 30.
Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of the businesses that have closed, posted in solidarity or otherwise made a statement for ICE Out, along with their words:
The 205 Coffee Bar
205 Columbia Ave. in Holland
“205 Coffee Bar will be closing early in recognition of the National Shutdown. As a U.S. Navy veteran, I never imagined I would find myself protesting against the government I once swore to defend. Yet the past several months have been filled with disbelief, frustration and deep concern over the direction our country is heading.
“As citizens, our options for creating meaningful change often feel limited. But change has to start somewhere. For us, this is that starting point.
“We believe it is important to be on the right side of history as it is written. At 205 Coffee Bar, we feel that means standing against policies and actions that we believe have resulted in the loss of life, specifically the deaths of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Silverio Villegas González and Keith Porter Jr. at the hands of federal agents. We do not believe these individuals were terrorists, nor do we believe this is how neighbors in a free society should be treated.
“This decision is not made lightly. It is made out of a commitment to conscience, accountability and the belief that silence is not neutrality. We ask you to consider standing with us.”
Our Brewing Company
76 E. Eighth St. in Holland
“Well, this is certainly a pickle we’re all in — and yes, we mean ALL. It’s high time we all show up together and stand with our neighbors. Holland is a culturally rich town due in whole part to immigration. Basic human rights are not up for debate. We love our community and our neighbors and we will always advocate for human rights.
“That being said, we will remain open today as usual, but will show our solidarity by donating 20% of our sales to Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates in Holland. OBC is committed to our community and being a safe place for everyone. If you’re looking for a small business that shares your human values and where all are welcome, come see us.”
Spring Sweet
56 E. Eighth St. in Holland
“We will be closed Friday in solidarity with the Nationwide Shutdown. ICE Out! @commune_gr said it beautifully — ‘This choice comes from care, not ease. Some days call for presence over productivity. Grateful for your understanding.'”
Culture Cheese Shop
211 S. River Ave. in Holland
“’Culture is not just the process in which cheese is made. It also defines and connects traditions passed down from generation to generation. I want this shop to not only connect you to people but also to the cultures that make us who we are today.’ These words have been on my website from the moment I opened our shop.
“The culture being shown across America today is not the culture I know America to be. We stand with all the businesses that are having to make the call to close or speak out today, to show we are better together than divided. We need to be open today because this month has been hard for small businesses not only due to weather but because this month is always slow and we have commitments to customers for deliveries.
“We stand with love and the beauty in Culture. We encourage everyone to support small, locally owned, and immigrant-owned businesses tomorrow and everyday. As our friends at Globe said, ‘Be present and engaged in your community efforts.’”
GLOBE Design and Vision
49 E. Eighth St. in Holland
“Our family — and by extension, our business, will always advocate for justice at every opportunity. While we will remain open tomorrow during the general strike to ensure that we are here to provide services to our fellow four-eyed comrades, we stand in solidarity with our colleagues and fellow small business owners who are closing their doors, as well as the conscious consumers fighting the good fight with your pocketbooks.
“We encourage everyone to support small, locally owned, and immigrant-owned businesses tomorrow and everyday, call your representatives and tell them to use their influence to abolish ICE, and most importantly, be present and engaged in your community efforts.
“Now is not the time for business as usual. Now is the time to lift each other up and seek a better future. In solidarity, The Schulze Family.”
KIN Coffee and Craft House
1200 Ottawa Beach Road in Park Township
“Our doors are open, our stance is clear. We are heartbroken and outraged by the recent actions of ICE in our country. While we know many are choosing to close today in solidarity, we’ve made the decision to keep our doors open — not for ‘business as usual,’ but to offer a safe, warm space for community members to gather, organize and support one another.
“A coffee shop is more than just coffee. It is a necessary hub for conversation, solidarity and brainstorming new ways to fight injustice. Our coffee shop is a gathering place, a hub where conversations happen and connections are made. Today, we are keeping our doors open to serve our community and provide a welcoming space for anyone who wants to connect with others, share ideas and find support.
“We are here for our neighbors and believe in the importance of community. Our doors are open, and we welcome you to join us.”
Shift Climbing
12345 James St. in Holland Township
“We want to acknowledge the many businesses across the country planning to participate in the ICE National Shutdown this Friday. We respect all businesses’ and individuals’ opportunity to peacefully protest in ways that support their beliefs.
“One of the things we love most about climbing is its unique ability to bring people from all walks of life, backgrounds, experiences, and belief systems into the same space to move, problem solve, connect, and support one another. There are too few spaces and opportunities like that in the world today. We aim to get people out from behind their screens so they can spend meaningful time connecting as humans. We believe that when we can play together, we can live together — and we will always protect that opportunity.
“Shift will never condone or welcome hate, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, violence, or the erosion of justice and due process into our business, culture, or community. We are committed to fostering a safe space rooted in respect, inclusion, and dignity for all.
“We will remain open (Jan. 30) for two reasons: First, we believe in continuing to hold space for people to come together, learn from one another, share perspectives, and find common ground.
“Second, as a young business in our first peak season, we are not in a position to close our doors at this time. That said, we respect the right of other businesses and individuals to take action aligned with their values. Our staff has also been given the option to take the day off if they choose, in solidarity.
“We’re deeply grateful for the diverse, supportive community that makes Shift what it is. Thank you for being part of building a future rooted in unity, equality, and play.”
Cakabakery on Eighth
82 W. Eighth St. in Holland
“We (heart) equity and justice! Our business honors our commitments. We have custom contracts we must fulfill, so we are opening with limited hours for pick-ups in Grand Rapids and Holland on Lakewood Boulevard.
“(We are) closed on Eighth Street, because that location is retail only. … We stand with all who are, and will become, affected by the actions of violence in this strange and harrowing time. Cakabakery is a place of love and acceptance. All are welcome here. Not ICE.”
The Bluestocking Bookshop
12330 James St. in Holland Township
“Today you can call your reps, you can send them an email, you can write them a postcard. Say thank you to those who are standing on the side of humanity and hope. You can also come in, have a cup of coffee, and not shop in your favorite bookshop.”
The business also posted a video from owner Aimee Chipman:
“I have gone around and around about the shutdown today, Jan. 30, and honestly what it boils down to for me is, if you don’t already know who Bluestocking is and what we stand for, us shutting down on Jan. 30 is not gonna change that.
“There are a lot of those moments where we want to stand in solidarity and we have to recognize there are other things at play. We’ve been closed for a week because of a winter storm and dangerous temperatures, and so today I have a book club and appointments that we’ve rescheduled for today because of that closure, and my to-do list is getting way too long.
“So, we are open today. Not out of any lack of solidarity, but life. There are ways that we can help that aren’t closing our doors. … If you have holds and you’re not doing any shopping today, we’re extending them, you’ve got an extra day, just like if we had a snow day today — so you don’t have to feel pressured to come out to pick up your books. Don’t shop, that’s fine. You can sit here and just be around people.
“If you need connections to groups who are protesting, or if you need connections to the groups who are recruiting candidates or you need connections to just a friendly face, that’s what we can do today. I will, yes, still be checking in books and I will still be doing the work of bookselling, but I’m also gonna be crafting and sending emails. Whatever you do today, (expletive) ICE.”
Francis Jaye
50 E. Eighth St. in Holland
“Frances Jaye will be closed to join the Nationwide Strike — stay safe, stay warm.”
Garsnett Beacon Candle Co.
210 S. River Ave. in Holland
“We stand in solidarity with (ICE Out). This isn’t about left or right. It isn’t about politics. It’s about humanity. At Garsnett Beacon, our mission has always been simple. Illuminate change, lift others up, amplify the voices that are too often unheard. We believe every person deserves dignity, safety, and respect.
“We stand with our immigrant neighbors, with families who are scared, with the communities organizing, and with the brave people in Minnesota and across the country speaking up for what is right. We see you. We hear you. We are proud of you.
“As a small business, January is already a slower and tougher month for us, and with the recent snow days we are not able to close our doors tomorrow. Staying open allows us to continue supporting our team and keeping our little shop going. Even so, we still want to show up in a meaningful way.
“We will be making a small donation to The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, a nonprofit that provides free legal help to immigrants and refugees who need support navigating the immigration system. If you are able to participate in the shutdown or support organizations doing this work, we encourage you to do so.
“Thank you for being part of a community that chooses care, compassion, and courage. We will always stand for people.”
Brew Merchant
442 Washington Ave. in Holland
“We cannot close tonight due to a private event in Merchant Hall, so we have followed suit (of Our Brewing Company) and donated to Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates. Thank you for leading the way!”
Mi Favorita
408 Columbia Ave. in Holland
“We want to share with our community that Mi Favorita will remain open during the protest. Our doors stay open because we believe in serving, caring and supporting our people.
“We love our community deeply and stand with immigrants and undocumented individuals of all cultures and backgrounds. You are our neighbors, our friends, our families, and an essential part of who we are. From the very beginning, Mi Favorita has been a place of safety, support, and helping hands, and that commitment remains unchanged.
“More than ever, it’s important to support local businesses — especially immigrant-owned businesses. These businesses represent resilience, hard work and hope. They are often the closest to those being directly impacted, and your support truly makes a difference. We are here for you — to serve, support and stand together in unity, compassion and respect.”
Brick and Ivy Market
182 S. River Ave. in Holland
“Today we would be remiss if we did not address the current atmosphere surrounding us. In a world where small businesses are looked at with a magnifying glass, every decision is a risk that multi-billion dollar corporations never even have to even worry about. It seems more and more that the duty falls on us to speak up in an already very polarized environment, and to be transparent, it’s scary.
“With that being said, we also recognize that the events occurring in this country need to be addressed, because this isn’t about left or right. It’s about kindness, compassion and humanity. We stand with all of our fellow small businesses who have decided to close today, however we also understand and have empathy for those who remain open in an already challenging slow season.
“As for us, we will be open today and donating a portion of our sales. We have and ALWAYS will be a place where EVERY human being is welcomed in our stores. Brick + Ivy Market as well as Oak + Leather Men’s Mercantile will always operate as a space with respect, kindness, and most importantly love. We need more of that in this world, and it starts with us.”
— Contact the newsroom at newsroom@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: These businesses in Holland are speaking up, closing down for ICE Out
Reporting by Cassandra Lybrink and Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
