Downtown Grand Haven Shops Remain Open During Construction

Fortino's and Alegria Boutique continue operations despite street work.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:47am

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a busy downtown street, with blurred storefronts and pedestrians visible through a hazy, warm filter, conveying the vibrant energy and resilience of the local businesses.Despite ongoing construction, downtown Grand Haven's beloved shops continue to welcome customers with their signature charm and community spirit.Washington Today

Businesses along Washington Avenue in downtown Grand Haven, including longtime retailers Fortino's and Alegria Boutique, are staying open and operating as usual despite ongoing construction and street work in the area.

Why it matters

Downtown Grand Haven is a popular shopping and dining district, and the ability of local businesses to remain open during infrastructure projects is crucial to maintaining the vibrancy of the community.

The details

Fortino's, a family-owned Italian grocery store, and Alegria Boutique, a women's clothing and accessories shop, are two of the most well-known and long-standing businesses on Washington Avenue. Despite the disruption caused by the current construction, both stores have made efforts to ensure their customers can still access their locations and continue shopping.

  • The construction project on Washington Avenue began in March 2026.

The players

Fortino's

A family-owned Italian grocery store that has been a fixture on Washington Avenue for decades.

Alegria Boutique

A women's clothing and accessories shop that has been operating on Washington Avenue for many years.

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What they’re saying

“We're doing everything we can to make sure our customers can still get to us and shop with us during this construction period.”

— Maria Fortino, Owner, Fortino's

“The construction has been a bit of a challenge, but our loyal customers have been so supportive and understanding.”

— Sarah Alegria, Owner, Alegria Boutique

What’s next

The construction project on Washington Avenue is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

The takeaway

The ability of long-standing local businesses like Fortino's and Alegria Boutique to remain open and operational during disruptive construction projects is a testament to their resilience and the strong community support they have built over the years.