By: Deborah Johnson Wood
The 119-year-old building that was once the home of Steketee's department store in downtown Grand Rapids will soon be the newest location of Schuler Books & Music. Schuler's is one of the country's largest locally- and independently-owned bookstores with shops in Walker, Lansing, and Okemos.
Once the home to River Bank Books, the 8,000-square-foot interior is still set up for a café and coffee bar, a small stage for live entertainment, a fireplace, and seating for about 60 people. Following the traditions of its four other locations, Schuler's will offer book signings with local and national authors, an extensive selection of books and music, and a gift shop.
"We share the enthusiasm of our friends and neighboring businesses and expect great things from our newest location,” said Cecile Fehsenfeld, President, Schuler Books & Music, Inc. She and her husband, Bill, founded the store, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
"Rockford Development Group purchased the building after Steketee's moved out and rehabilitated it," says Kurt Hassberger, COO for Rockford Construction. The renovation was completed in 2004 and LEED certified in 2006. "It's actually three buildings. The older part where the bookstore will be is a four-story wood frame structure that was built sometime before 1888."
The other two buildings—a circa 1917 eight-story building and a circa 1947 four-story building—both face Monroe Center. Sometime later, the three structures were combined into one 108,000-square-foot building.
The new store is expected to open in late October.
Source: Kurt Hassberger, Rockford Construction
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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