Growing up, whenever my family visited Dowagiac for the Christmas parade, doctor’s appointments or other events, we all knew that at some point in the venture, we would wind up at Zeke’s.

When I heard the restaurant was closing this week, like many, my heart sank. After having served countless hungry diners for 30 years in the Grand Old City, the massive restaurant became as much of an institution in Dowagiac as the Round Oak stoves that once put the city on the map.

While many Zeke’s patrons — hailing from Dowagiac and beyond — have expressed sadness over the business’ closing, I have to tip my hat to those who made this restaurant the beloved destination it was.

Like many southwest Michigan cities, Dowagiac has done a wonderful job of creating a downtown district in which businesses can thrive. City leaders, the downtown development authority and the chamber of commerce have worked together to ensure downtown Dowagiac is a place people not only want to visit, but also plant their business.

These leaders have set an example for neighboring downtowns, teaching us that if you build it, they will come, but if you invest in it, talk about it, cheer it on and take pride in it, it will thrive.

Like any other business district, there are periods in which buildings sit vacant, but there are also periods in which it seems a new business opens every other week.

While we may all be sad that Zeke’s has closed its doors, I look at the business’ closing — and the owner’s retirement — as an opportunity for Dowagiac. Instead of thinking of this shuttered business as a failure for the city, I hope potential business owners hear from loyal customers about how much they craved the jalapeño soup, or recounting memories about nights spent with friends sipping on the restaurant’s wide beer selection. Instead of discouraging business owners, I hope entrepreneurs are inspired by the potential of the beautiful building that once served so many happy customers.

I have full confidence in the city’s ability to sell itself and its vacant buildings to prospective business owners and expect it will not be long before something new and exciting fills the Front Street location.

With that in mind, I congratulate Ray Piecyk on his retirement, and wish the city the best of luck in finding a new business to join downtown Dowagiac. I will be eagerly anticipating a visit to whatever fills the space next.

Who knows? This time next year, we may all have a new favorite stop in Dowagiac, with new dishes to crave and more memories to make?