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photograph

Catalog Number
2022.4.6
Description
Color photograph taken inside the Russ' restaurant on east 8th Street during Tulip Time 1991. The photo shows three people.  From left to right: Elaine Kuipers; Bryan Bouws; and Lois Steinfort.  Elaine and Lois, both Russ' employees, are wearing Dutch costumes.  Bryan Bouws is part of the Bouws family that owns and operates the Russ' Restaurants.
History
Russ’ began in Holland, MI in 1934 on the north side of Chicago Drive, between Highland Ave and Reed Ave. That original restaurant was nothing more than a 12' x 16' wooden shack known as Doc's Barbeque before it was purchased by John Bouws, Russ Bouws' father, for $147. In those early years hamburgers cost 10¢ and coffee, milk, or Coke, 5¢.

In 1946 the business was moved to 361 East 8th Street. A new, larger restaurant was constructed on this site in 1949. This new facility would be known as Russ' Eastown. The 1949 building was torn down in 1983 and replaced by a larger Russ' restaurant.

In 1965 Russ' opened a restaurant in Muskegon, MI. This was followed by the 28th Street restaurant in Grand Rapids in 1970 and the River Ave location in 1973. The Grand Rapis Plainfield Ave location opened in 1974, Grand Haven's restaurant opened in 1976 and the Wyoming, MI location opened in 1976. 1978 saw the addition of the Portage restaurant, as well as Battle Creek's Russ'.
Gift of
Steinfort, Julie