Perhaps it's a lesson for all of us: when we need help, say so. That's what two downtown Zeeland business owners did when one found she needed more space and the other found he needed less. Instead of risking that either business relocate outside of Zeeland, the business owners, Zeeland Investment Partners, the City of Zeeland and the property landlords came together for a win/win solution: swap storefronts.
At the end of December, Not So Shabby, an antiques and resale shop, moved into an expanded space at 114 E. Main St. where they plan to host 16 vendors instead of the 10 their previous location could accommodate.
Harbor Toy Company moved to a smaller space at 152 E. Main where owners Larry Fragoules and Kim Natte hope to reap the benefits of being connected directly to MainStreet Sweets candy shop next door. The owners' plan is to continue offering high-quality toys, but less inventory, says Abby De Roo, city marketing director.
"Not So Shabby had a list of vendors that wanted to rent floor space, and because we were so small, I was always turning people away," says owner Jackie Bordner. "We were looking outside of Zeeland to open a second store and this spot was perfect because we could expand instead."
"I think it's important to have a diversified retail mix to help existing retailers, to attract new retailers to downtown and to promote foot traffic," says David Wilson of
Generational Wealth Management, a downtown Zeeland business.
Wilson co-chairs Zeeland Investment Partners (ZIP), a group of business and property owners who pool their money to fund small monthly grants for qualifying downtown Zeeland retailers. ZIP awarded a grant to Harbor Toy to help with relocation.
"Over the last couple of years, downtown Zeeland has had a lot of new momentum and growth and the community has been enthusiastic," says De Roo. "The toy store was one of our first recruits, and when we heard they might not stay in Zeeland, we asked what could do to make it more affordable to stay here. We hope it's cued the community that they need to patronize the stores. Nobody wants to see downtown go backwards."
Source: Jackie Bordner, Not So Shabby; Abigail De Roo,
City of Zeeland; David Wilson, Zeeland Investment Partners
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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