Retail

New Grand Rapids studio a unique workspace for traditional, contemporary printmakers

By Newsroom

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October 7, 2010

Dinderbeck, a made-up word that means nothing but sounds cool, is the creative moniker for a new studio and gallery space on Grand Rapids' West Side – a place where printmakers can fire up the presses, both vintage and modern, and express their artistic visions on paper. The studio, 323 Straight Ave. SW, is across the street from the former Tanglefoot Co. warehouse, which is now a hotbed of artists and art studios.With nearly 2,000 square feet of work and display space, Dinderbeck has plenty of room for artists to lease space for a private show or for those who want to rent time on the specialty printing presses: a 1951 325G Vandercook Hand Proof Press for relief printing, or the soon-to-be-refurbished Fuchs & Lang lithography press rescued from a scrap yard. An intaglio press is on the wish list. "Our first intent was to use the space as a private studio for our own work," says Brandon Alman, "but we wanted to figure out how we could use the space and generate interest within the space, so we decided to expand it and offer it to more people."Alman is a partner in the endeavor with Kyle Isbell, Trevor Hill-Rowley, Anthony Mead and Lucas Schurkamp. All of the partners are artists, four of them are printmakers and they are all students or graduates of Kendall College of Art & Design. Besides the print shop, artists can rent the studio's woodshop with woodworking tools.Dinderbeck hosted its first show in June and will be the site of "Kung Fu (hard work + reward)" on Oct. 22, featuring the works of the nine artists in The GR8 Death Squad, formerly The GR8.Source: Brandon Alman, Dinderbeck Studio, Dinderbeck GalleryWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

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Website pitches discounts for active moms

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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September 30, 2010

John Rumery MomsinTow.com is an online community in West Michigan providing area merchant discounts and information on networking opportunities to mothers interested in maintaining an active lifestyle. MomsinTow.com Founder Jenny White, 29, came up with the idea for the online venture soon after she moved back to Holland, MI from Colorado with her husband, a professional cyclist, and their newborn son, Macen. While in Colorado, White had been involved with a group of young mothers that got together for hiking and biking and supported kid-friendly stores. Wanting to meet other new mothers in Holland, who were interested in active lifestyles with their children, White had an idea for a website that would serves a platform for these moms to interact and to share ideas, plus serve as a catalyst to meet offline as well. Taking it one step further, White felt that besides being a resource site, why not use this community of active moms to approach local businesses to see if they would provide discounts on their products or services in exchange for patronage by this customer base? According to White, "merchants have loved this concept," and she has very positive and encouraging feedback from everyone she has discussed this with. Which is good, because White, who has no background in sales, admits to being "very nervous" when initially approaching the business community with the idea. But, local businesses immediately saw the benefits of direct marketing to young families early in developing their purchasing patterns. White now has a core listing of select businesses that provide discounts to members of MomsinTow.com. There is no cost to the merchant to become part of the first level of the network. White also has a paid sponsorship program for businesses that will provide them extra visibility to this community. For the moms, in order to get these discounts, there is a $30.00 annual membership fee, soon increasing to $48.00. White says the primary benefit of membership is to "save money at local businesses." White is also quick to point out these businesses are not just mom-related, but family-related. For example: "We just partnered with a plumbing firm," White says. "Moms are usually the ones at home and have to deal with the plumber." White will be relying heavily on word-of-mouth and social media to spread the word. She points to their Facebook page as key source of marketing. White also is very appreciative and amazed at the help she has received from the entrepreneurial community. She recently pitched MomsinTow.com at pitch night at Startup West Michigan and took first place. "I am just discovering the support groups for entrepreneurs," she says. "Pitch night was terrific evening." For more information, you can visit the MomsInTow.com or attend their launch party on Thursday, October, 14, details on their Facebook page. Source. Interview with Jenny White John Rumery is the Innovation and Jobs Editor for Rapid Growth Media. He is an educator, board member of AimWest, WYCE music programmer, entrepreneur, raconteur and competitive barbecuer living in Grand Rapids, MI. He can be reached at InnovationandJobs@RapidGrowthMedia.com For story tips you can e-mail info@rapidgrowthmedia.com

First tenant in new retail spaces on Grand Rapids’ Michigan St. opens Verizon store

By Newsroom

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Development

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September 30, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodPradip Roy moved from India to the United States in the '60s to pursue a master's degree in engineering at Rutgers University. Now, some 40 years later, Roy is the first tenant to set up shop in one of two new retail spaces attached to Rylee's Ace Hardware, 1234 Michigan Street NE, where he opened a Verizon Wireless Zone store.The 850-square-foot showroom is uncluttered and welcoming. The store carries the latest mobile phones and accessories, the sales team helps customers solve challenges with phone operations or their service plans and customers can pay their Verizon bills. Roy, 65, spent his career in process engineering at companies like General Foods and Kellogg. After retiring last year, he finally had time to pursue a lifelong dream of owning a business. His wife, Ribha, works behind the scenes at the new store and son Ronjiv "Ron" Roy is sales manager. Daughter Brita is in a physician's residency program in Birmingham, Ala. "I was looking on 28th Street for a location, but it was not being approved because the store on E. Beltline was too close," says Pradip Roy. "Verizon found this location and asked me if I was interested. I had given up when nothing was being approved, so I did some research on this location and I liked it."Roy says the store's proximity to the Fulton Heights, Michigan Oaks and Midtown neighborhoods was a drawing card for him. And the location is close to downtown. The Roys moved to Cascade in 1992 and had several opportunities to return to New Jersey and live. "We really love Grand Rapids," says Roy. "We thought this was a fantastic place to raise a family. I always wanted to give people a chance to make a living, so that's kind of my motivation for opening the store."Source: Pradip Roy, Verizon Wireless ZoneRelated ArticlesRylee's Hardware ready to break ground on $4M Grand Rapids store Rylee's Hardware proposes $3M move to vacant Armory acreageStakeholders take first step to developing Michigan Street corridor improvementsDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

The Journey of the Lotus Odyssey

By Charlsie Dewey

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General

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September 23, 2010

The Lotus Odyssey is a venture of sustainability and good intention. The venture explores the balance between a cheap purchase and an ethical one, the empowerment of women and how a small group of people across an ocean can make a huge difference in the lives of many women in India.

After 18 years on Monroe North, Grand Rapids’ LaFontsee Galleries plans move

By Newsroom

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General

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September 23, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodLaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio was one of the first businesses to brave Monroe North's collection of abandoned warehouses back in about 1992, with the hope that the district would become a Mecca of art galleries and boutiques. Instead, developers turned the warehouses into condominiums and office space. So gallery owners Scott and Linda LaFontsee seized the opportunity to purchase a 2.5-acre property and the former Network 180 building at 833 Lake Drive and join four area galleries – Byrneboehm Gallery, Richard App Gallery, Mercury Head Gallery and Gallery 154 – in creating an art lover's destination."I personally walked into each of those galleries and talked to them about our move to the district," says Scott LaFontsee. "They were all very open-armed." LaFontsee's founded the gallery 24 years ago as a small frame shop and now has 14 employees and two interns. "A gallery our size is not this common," he says. "So we're a little different than most places because of that." The 24,000-square-foot building will retain its mid-century modern outside, but LaFontsee plans to gut the entire inside and open it up for display space, framing and for working on large projects, such as the framing and installation of the artwork for all 13 floors of the new Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, opening soon.LaFontsee hopes to create an outdoor sculpture garden on the property in the future. He says he'll open the building as-is to the public on October 22 when Site:Lab (of "Land of Riches" fame) will take over the building for a one-day art installation that will be open to the public. The current gallery, 820 Monroe Ave. NW, will remain open until its move in spring 2011. For the next few weeks, it will be an ArtPrize venue for 21 artists. "It's easy right now to be afraid of this economy, but it's not all bad," LaFontsee says. "We just bought a building we could not have afforded a year ago. I believe in this community. I believe it's not going to get worse, it's going to get better."Source: Scott LaFontsee, LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio Related ArticlesLong Live LaFontseeAmenta -- A Man of RichesDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Passion for fine art, furniture compels popular Grand Rapids designer to open unusual gallery

By Newsroom

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General

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September 23, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodPaula S. Fogarty's undying passion for fine art, furniture and design has driven her to create an unusual new gallery where she marries Grand Rapids-made vintage furniture with mid-century modern pieces and pulls it all together with fine art by world-renowned artists. The new endeavor? Fogarty Collection, 560 5th Street NW, Suite 301. Fogarty owns Paula Scott Unlimited (her middle name is Scott), a product design, development and marketing firm at the same address. But with a degree in Art History, the former president of Kindel Furniture felt a need to combine her passions under one roof. Peter Jacob, designer and owner of Profile Peter Jacob, is a collaborator in the endeavor.Vintage furniture from Baker, Widdicomb, Sligh, and, of course, Kindel, will head the list of home furnishings. The Collection features the paintings, sculpture and bronzes of eleven renowned artists from Michigan, New York, New Hampshire and elsewhere, including Detroit's Janice Trimpe and local sculptor Carlos Aceves."It's time to bring compelling art to the area," Fogarty says. "These artists have real compelling subject matter and execution that will appeal to people who are sensitized to the arts, especially this community right now with ArtPrize being here.""I'm doing this because I can't help myself," Fogarty says, followed by a hearty laugh. "It was inevitable that at some point I would parlay my passion for art and furniture into some kind of a showroom. The atmosphere is one of a highly collected and eclectic mix of what I would call 'best of kind' objects, whether contemporary or antiques."Fogarty Collection's grand opening on September 22 featured the five ArtPrize artists who will call the venue "home" during ArtPrize 2010. The Collection will be open every day during ArtPrize hours. After ArtPrize, the hours will be Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends by appointment.Source: Paula S. Fogarty, Fogarty Collection and Paula Scott UnlimitedDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

New Grand Rapids boutique upcycles vintage goods for home, gifts, souvenirs

By Newsroom

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General

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September 16, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodAngie Seabert says that in the hotel business, out-of-town visitors are always asking where they can buy souvenirs. She now has an easy answer: Minty Keen, her new boutique of upcycled, vintage and handcrafted goodies. Minty Keen, in the Ledyard Building at 125 Ottawa Ave. NW, is situated just a short walk from Grand Rapids' downtown hotels and the DeVos Place convention center. Seabert plans to capitalize on that location. Her quirky collection of works by local artists, repurposed and reused home décor items, fresh flowers and Michigan souvenirs could help tourists fill up their suitcases before heading home. "I worked in the hotels and had people asking about Michigan key chains and other things, but I'm not into plastic, I'm into handmade," Seabert says. "I have a nice mix of small items like magnets, key chains, drinking glasses and post cards from local artists that all have 'Michigan' on them."But, Minty Keen isn't just for the out-of-towners – it's for anyone looking for that one-of-a-kind gift or the perfect accent for their home. Seabert worked in the floral industry for six years and will soon offer small plants and fresh flowers. In the meantime, the shop is blooming with the works of local artists, such as Lisa Price's block print tea towels and pillows, Amy Hosacker's watercolors and pillows shaped like a Michigan license plate (they spell out ArtPrize) and Jacob Zars' sculpture and illustrations.Events at the store will feature ReFab Fridays where customers can bring in an item that needs some fabric or new colors to get ideas on how to repurpose it. Knit-Wit Wednesdays invite knitting enthusiasts to come in and get some pointers from Seabert's mom, Sue Mesbergen.Grand Opening events are Friday, September 17 at noon. Regular shop hours will be Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.Source: Angie Seabert, Minty Keen; Anne Marie Bessette, Grand Rapids Downtown Development AuthorityDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Grand Rapids Fulton Street Farmers Market fertile soil for $3M all-seasons market; plans unveiled

By Newsroom

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General

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September 2, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Rapids' Midtown Neighborhood Association believes its Fulton Street Farmers Market is fertile ground for growing the 90-year-old open-air market into a $3 million all-season marketplace. The group unveiled its proposed plans for a LEED-certified market this week at a public event.The proposed transformation of the market, 1147 E. Fulton St., maintains the rustic charm and warm-weather appeal with an open-air market with a permanent roof, a 2,000-square-foot building for year-round vendors, an expanded plaza, A.D.A.-compliant restrooms at both ends of the market and improved traffic flow."Rebuilding the plaza area where the Salvation Army sells hotdogs is tricky for foot and car traffic," says Christine Helms Maletic, an independent consultant leading the project. Maletic's involvement includes her service as Midtown board president and as project director of Midtown's Brikyaat Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. "We're going to have an area to sit and eat, and we're hoping to get vendors to sell prepared foods," she says, adding that the new plaza area and the year-round building provide enough space for 10 to 12 more vendors than the market can accommodate now. The new market will have about 250 parking spaces for customers and vendors – the same as the current market – but a new traffic pattern will allow cars access to either side of the market without having to exit the property. "Right now, when you pull in, you're committed," Maletic says. "You have to go all the way down the market and out on the opposite street, then re-enter."Sustainable aspects of the new plan include permeable paving, retaining 100 percent of the stormwater on-site and use of renewable energy sources such as rooftop wind turbines.Maletic hopes to break ground in late 2011 provided the capital campaign is successful. A philanthropic feasibility study completed by Hopkins Fundraising Consulting in July indicates there is enough community support to finance the project. Lott3Metz designed the proposed market. Source: Christine Helms Maletic, Fulton Street Farmers Market; City of Grand Rapids press releaseRelated ArticlesProposed $2.8M upgrades to Grand Rapids farmers market include new layout, year-round shopping Plan for historic Brikyaat district adopted into GR Master PlanDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Who is your Bag Daddy?

By Newsroom

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General

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September 1, 2010

John Rumery Although claims are not made that raking leaves will be fun, thanks to The Bag Daddy, it certainly should be a lot easier. The Bag Daddy is essentially a funnel that is placed over a city lawn bag that makes filling the bag with yard waste much faster and easier. The patented product made out of biodegradable material is designed to fold up for convenient storage at the end of the season. Inventor Mike Kolarik, 63, of Grand Rapids, says it will now be much more convenient to buy The Bag Daddy, thanks to a first-time order from Meijer for 159 cases. Although many inventors might have labeled this a success, Kolarik, after years of ups and downs to get The Bag Daddy to market, is bit more cautious. "I'll let the customers decide if it's a success," he says. Like every invention, there is a back story. In the case of The Bag Daddy, Kolarik's first invention, the moment of inspiration came several years ago after trying to empty his leaf mulcher into a city yard bag. Becoming frustrated after the bag would collapse or leaves would spill out, he used an empty box to create his first prototype and began a journey that included a 2-year process to secure a patent, a costly misstep with local firm that promised much but delivered nothing, and his first order by a West Michigan distributor to supply several area hardware stores. Looking back on the entire process Kolarik, a retired Steelcase engineer, has several business lessons he would share with other inventors. As an engineer and a co-inventor on a couple of corporate patents, he has an understanding of how complicated the process can be, so he highly recommends working with a good patent attorney. Kolarik also is an advocate for the Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN). "I had a great experience with GRIN," he states. "Positive people, a positive organization, and great information." He feels strongly that the shared experiences of members of this network help inventors "avoid many pitfalls." "I might have dropped the project without the support of GRIN," Kolarik states. The Bag Daddy is manufactured by WhoDaThought, LLC, a company he formed with his wife, Martha. Although no other products are in the pipeline, Kolarik "has many ideas, but will wait and see what happens with The Bag Daddy" before he develops anything else. Source: Interview with Mike Kolarik and http://thebagdaddyonline.com/ John Rumery is the Innovation and Jobs Editor for Rapid Growth Media. He is an educator, board member of AimWest, WYCE music programmer, entrepreneur, raconteur and competitive barbecuer living in Grand Rapids, MI. He can be reached at InnovationandJobs@RapidGrowthMedia.com For story tips you can e-mail info@rapidgrowthmedia.com

Just Dogs Gourmet, a pooch’s favorite new digs for treats, opens in downtown Grand Haven

By Newsroom

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General

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August 19, 2010

Dog owners now have a new place to shop for doggie treats with the opening of Just Dogs Gourmet in downtown Grand Haven.