by Deborah Johnson Wood
Keith Cannon says a drive-thru lane for his Midtown Neighborhood development could be crucial to the success of a proposed coffee shop. That customer amenity could help the shop make its bottom line. And that makes the space a lot more alluring to potential tenants.
Last Thursday, the Grand Rapids Planning Commission gave LaCati Group, where Cannon is president, the nod to include the drive-thru in a proposed development at Michigan and Benson Streets.
Plans are to convert a vacant building at 629 Michigan into four retail spaces. Three 1,500-square-foot retail units will have Michigan Street frontage. A fourth retail business will have 1,200-square-feet of space at the garden level in the rear of the building.
New for this neighborhood will be the addition of porches and decks.
"We're putting a 13-foot-8-inch deep porch along the entire front. It will have railings all the way around provide space for outdoor seating," Cannon said. "We're also planning decks off the back for additional outdoor seating for customers from any of the retail shops."
A vacant house and some outbuildings at 621 Michigan will be demolished to make room for the drive-thru lane and green space on the west side of the building. Parking will be in the small lot in the rear, accessed off Benson Street.
Cannon is in negotiation with several coffee shops and other retailers who are interested in the development, but declined to give any names at this time. A groundbreaking date has not been set.
Source: Keith Cannon, LaCati Group
www.LaCati.com
Rendering courtesy of LaCati Group
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