Wolverine Company Store celebrates grand opening in downtown Grand Rapids

Wolverine Company Store, an upscale shoe store representing only the brands made by Wolverine Worldwide, celebrated more than just a grand opening on Weds., March 21. It also used the event to say thank you for three awards the store garnered since its opening.

The shop is located in 800 square feet of MoDiv (40 Monroe Center NW) and sells men's and women's casual and dress shoes, boots and footwear for active outdoor living.

The store is unique in that it is the only store in the U.S. dedicated to only Wolverine brands -- all 12 of them -- even though Wolverine Worldwide has nearly 90 stores, nationwide, says Brian Cousins, store manager. That uniqueness spills over into the store's environment and service-focused culture, and could be part of the reason for the awards:
•    Chain Store Age: 2011 Retail Store of the Year (for softlines under 5000 sf)
•    ARE: Individual Element -- Wall Treatment Award (for the logo wall)
•    West Michigan ADDY: Gold ADDY for Mixed/Multiple Media.

Wolverine Company Store's brands include the world renowned Hush Puppies plus Merrill, Cushe, Sebago, Patagonia, Caterpillar and others.

"Caterpillar, or 'Cat,' footwear is number one in Europe and Latin America from the fashion side," Cousins says. "I got a women's Bajan boot in here today that's not available anywhere else in the U.S."

Cousins says because the downtown hotels attract guests from all over the world, Wolverine Company Store serves customers all over the world.

"There was a gentleman from Dubai in here on Saturday. Isn't it amazing?" Cousins says. "I had a Limited Edition 721 boot from our 1000 Mile Collection. There's only 1,000 made and they're pretty pricey ($725 retail). A customer from Atlanta purchased them for her husband for Christmas; her husband had been in here [when he came to Grand Rapids] on business."

Grand opening sales at the store continue through Saturday. Store hours: Mon., Tues., Weds., Fri. 11 to 6; Thurs. 11 to 7; Sat. 11 to 5.

Source: Brian Cousins, Wolverine Company Store
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor