Family longed for the taste of Jamaica in Kalamazoo. So they created it.

Family longed for the taste of Jamaica in Kalamazoo. Shawn Forrest and his family opened Irie Jamminz Caribbean Restaurant & Market at 3928 Portage Street in Kalamazoo on July 3, along with his wife, Ishicka Forrest, and their four parents. The family, who moved from Jamaica over the past 20 years, spent five to eight years developing the concept and described it as bringing Jamaican food, music, and culture to their new community. On opening day, reggae music featuring Bob Marley filled the space as authentic dishes produced steam and aromas for a long line that stretched from the restaurant area into the Caribbean market and outside, even during thunderstorms. The former Summer Thyme Cafe & Bakery site closed on March 27 after 38 years. The menu includes jerk chicken, goat curry, chicken curry, oxtail, and meat patties, with sides such as cabbage, plantains, rice, peas, and festivals. Most meals cost between $15 and $18.