Welcome to our blog!

Here, you’ll discover the cool people, places, and things that make West Michigan an extraordinary place to call HOME.

We’re Steve and Margaux Drake, co-founders of RVNU Residential and Commercial, a full-service real estate team helping clients sell and buy homes and investment properties in Michigan.

Together, we have over 60 years of knowledge of the West Michigan real estate market. We turned a $5K investment into a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio, and we can help you do the same, starting with your HOME.

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One Year of Coffee: Why We Do This Mar 10, 2026
The story behind Coffee with Steve & Margaux—and the cool people who make West Michigan an extraordinary place to call home

A year ago, Steve & Margaux Drake hit publish on a simple idea: sit down over coffee and spotlight the cool people, places, and things that make West Michigan an incredible pl...

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The Repair Shop That Saves Your Favorites: Meet Cascade Shoe Service Mar 03, 2026

Sam Zarou’s 42-Year Legacy (and a Free Shine!) Is Part of What Makes West Michigan So Cool

Read Time: 90 seconds

In West Michigan, we love the people who keep things going—the craftspeople who quietly make life better, one repair at a time. In this episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux, we sat do...

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Where There’s Smoke, There’s Flavor: Celebrating 10 Years of American Char Feb 24, 2026
Chef Len’s fire-kissed legacy in Drenth, Michigan is more than BBQ—it’s a local icon powered by community, creativity, and pure wood-fired soul.

 

Tucked into the heart of Drenth, Michigan, American Char has been bringing the heat—literally—for over a decade. In this episode of Coffee with Steve &...

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Magic, Mayhem & Masterminds: Silva is Changing the Social Scene in Grand Rapids Feb 17, 2026

How a visionary founder brought circus vibes, crocodile cameos, and community connection to West Michigan’s River North district

Read time: 90 seconds

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into a venue where anything could happen—a juggler could pass you your drink, a magician might surpr...

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Where Creatives & Founders Thrive: Bamboo Brings Big City Energy to West Michigan Feb 10, 2026
Flexible workspace, theater nights, rooftop vibes, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem—all under one historic roof in downtown Grand Rapids.


If you’re looking for the cool factor in West Michigan’s business scene, Bamboo Cowork in downtown Grand Rapids brings it in spades—and square footage. F...

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The Lark: Where Wine Meets Warmth in the Heart of Ada Feb 03, 2026
Sip, savor, and stay awhile—this wine bar is redefining community one glass at a time.

If Ada’s charm had a signature scent, it’d smell like red wine and crème brûlée.

May Graceffa, owner of The Lark in Ada, Michigan, joined Coffee with Steve & Margaux to share how her thoughtfully curated wine ba...

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A Cool Twist on Valentine’s Day: Ice Guru Brings the Heat to West Michigan Jan 27, 2026
How June Elmer and Ice Guru Events are making Valentine’s unforgettable—with ice, DJs, and pure artistry

In this episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux, we meet June Elmer—Assistant Manager at Ice Guru Events—who’s turning cold blocks of ice into some of the hottest Valentine’s Day gifts in Grand R...

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Walking Winter, Reimagined: World of Winter Through a New Lens Jan 20, 2026

How Candice Smith and Tours Around Michigan Are Making Grand Rapids’ Biggest Festival More Inclusive Than Ever

Winter in West Michigan is no longer something you rush through—it’s something you experience. And thanks to Candice Smith, founder of Tours Around Michigan, the iconic World of Winter is ...

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Winter, Reimagined: Inside Grand Rapids’ World of Winter Jan 13, 2026
How Bill Kirk and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Are Making Winter the Coolest Season in Michigan


 Winter in West Michigan isn’t something to endure—it’s something to celebrate. Just ask Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), the team behind World of Winter, now officially the largest winter festival in th...

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A 2025 Year in Review — Why We Love West Michigan Jan 06, 2026
There’s a reason so many of our Coffee with Steve & Margaux conversations circle back to one thing: place.

Over the past year, more than 40 guests—from creatives and entrepreneurs to community builders and small-business owners—shared what they love most about living and building life in West Michi...

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Come sip, share, and shine with us!

 

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