Lee & Birch sees Wealthy St. as new opportunity for former downtown fashion boutique

With a store brimming with all-new summer fashions for women, former downtown Grand Rapids boutique Lee & Birch opens today in its new location in one of the city's fastest growing business districts.

After years of deterioration and abandoned storefronts, Wealthy St. SE is enjoying a comeback with growing businesses such as Wealthy Street Bakery, Art of the Table, The Winchester, Donkey Taqueria, Elk Brewing, Rowster Coffee, Johnny B'z Dogs 'N' More, Nourish Organic Market -- the list goes on -- as well as longtime mainstays such as Phil's Stuff Antiques and Collectibles.

Now Lee & Birch brings its own style and fashion sense to the former Ron's Hand Car Wash at the corner of Wealthy St. and Eastern Avenue SE, converting a former service station building into a fashion showroom for women sizes XS to L.

The lease at the boutique's former space at 50 Louis NW was up and owners Nikki Gillette and Kristin Nipke decided it was time to move to a location that offered more flexibility for future expansion, dedicated parking, and the visibility of a busy corner.

"We looked downtown, but couldn't find a place that was right for what we wanted, and this Wealthy St. space opened up," Nipke says. "Wealthy is such a booming street and we started talking to business owners, and the (shopping) traffic over there just inspired us to move."

The building has a new glass garage door to the former carwash space with its high ceilings -- a door the owners will open on nice days to bring fashions outside and customers inside. Nipke envisions fashion shows, a patio area, and outdoor space for special events.

Nipke and Gillette are working with the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission to retain the façade's historic appeal, while transforming the interior into a modern shop that features a magnetic floor-to-ceiling wall for "hanging" jewelry displays.

Grand Opening events begin this afternoon at 5 p.m. with a lemonade bar, entertainment, and 20 percent off your total purchase. Love's Ice Cream will be selling its craft-made wares as part of the festivities.

Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of Lee & Birch and Adam Bird