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Design or Durability? Why Not Choose Both?

by Andrea Reynolds

Design or durability. Do you have to choose between one or the other? Absolutely not, and you shouldn’t. It's easy to experience the benefits of both by working with a quality furniture provider and remaining flexible to your design plans.

At Grand Rapids Chair, we know durability in restaurants and commercial dining spaces is vital. Our products have always delivered durability, but design is also a pillar of our business. From choosing unique standard products, to custom colors, to a proprietary design, we’re here to make your commercial dining space pop.

While all of our products comply to strict design and durability standards, there are a few collections that epitomize this marriage. Here are our three favorites.

1. The Brady Collection

A relative newbie to the Grand Rapids Chair line, the Brady Collection is making quite the splash is fast casual restaurants since its 2015 debut. This expansive seating collection features a modern mix of hard Maple seat and backs with 14-gauge square steel tubing. These materials are ideal for busy environments, allowing restaurants to clean daily messes with ease. The tables, one communal and one pedestal, echo the look with crisp, clean corners and the same, sturdy materials.

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS

  • 14-gauge steel tube for seating
  • Maple seats and back
  • Maple table top
  • All joints are hand-tailored, coped, and brazed to maximize strength, creating a smooth finish and preventing rust
  • Because of the modern and minimal design, Brady looks great with bright powder coats
  • Easy cleaning
  • Super Tough nylon glide on seating
  • Steel seat tabs
  • Upholstered seat available
  • Stainless steel footrest protector on stools
  • 10-year standard warranty

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 Everytable, Brady Chairs and Brady Pedestal Tables

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Field & Fire Bakery, Brady Barstools

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Foundry & Lux, Brady Chairs and Brady Pedestal Tables

2. The Melissa Anne Collection

There’s a reason this chair has made its way into thousands (if not millions) of restaurants. Our Melissa Anne brings comfort and familiarity to any restaurant interior. And when done in unique finish (read: a custom orange and yellow ), the Melissa Anne feels modern and fresh. Not feeling as bold? Keep it understated with Clear Coat and a medium wood stain.

We can’t talk about the Melissa Anne without mentioning its durability. This collection boasts a 1.25” steel square tube frame and legs and a slew of engineering mechanisms to make this the ultimate restaurant chair.

Collection Highlights

  • Multiple back styles including ladder back, wood back, x-back, or custom wood cutout back
  • All joints are hand-tailored, coped, and brazed to maximize strength, creating a smooth finish and preventing rust
  • Available in chair, counter stool, barstool, and swivel barstools
  • Metal-to-metal fasteners attach back and seat  
  • Wood seats made of 1” saddled ply
  • Available with wood or upholstered seat
  • Upholstered models feature 2” high resilience foam
  • Premium nylon glides
  • 10-year standard warranty

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Main Event, Melissa Anne 574 Chairs

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Bell’s Brewery, Mama Melissa Anne 573 Barstools

3. The Bentwood Collection

Long the cafe standard, the Bentwood Collection is known for its enduring style. Because the chairs are incredibly light, there's a misconception that Bentwoods are flimsy. On the contrary, Bentwoods derive their strength from a single piece of curved wood, extending from the back of the chair and rear legs. And of course, the hundreds of cafes and restaurants that have used Bentwoods since its 1876 inception.

Collection Highlights

  • Solid European Beech frame
  • Steam bent Beech wood
  • Beech veneer seat or upholstered seats available
  • Lightweight
  • Metal carpet glides
  • Some models available through our Quick Ship Program
  • 10-year standard warranty

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Le Bon Macaron, Bentwood  No. 18 Barstool

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Bernie’s Lunch & Supper, Bentwood No. 30 Armchair

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Cafe Grace, Bentwood No. 25 Armchair

Those are just three of our favorite collections that illustrate our committment to design and durability. To see all of our products in action, hop over to our Installation Gallery