GRAND RAPIDS — The demand for a downtown grocery store appears to be getting heard loud and clear.

According to an application filed with the Grand Rapids Planning Commission, Jeff VandenBerg and business partners plan to open a 3,500-square-foot neighborhood grocery store in the vacant ground-floor space of 38 Commerce Ave. in downtown’s Heartside neighborhood.

The store will focus on grocery staples, specialty food, as well as Michigan craft beer and wine, according to the an application filed by Shark Market LLC.

The firm’s owners did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MiBiz.

“It is our intention to provide the growing downtown population with the convenient food market they’ve been calling for, and to do it right the first time,” the principals wrote in their application. “We will fill the beautiful space at the corner of Commerce and Weston with a colorful and inviting selection that will be a beacon to and from the surrounding businesses.”

The owners added that they might consider adding curbside pickup, a deli and event catering.

[RELATED: Reporter’s Notebook — Downtown grocery stores beginning to materialize]

The proposed location for the market is just down the street from one VandenBerg’s other businesses, The Pyramid Scheme at 68 Commerce Ave. SW, of which he is the co-owner.

The proposed market still requires approval from the Planning Commission, whose members will hear about the project at a May 12 meeting.