Since Borders bookstore closed in 2011, leaving one of the largest buildings in Grosse Pointe's Village business district empty, the big question has been what would replace it and when.
And when the equally large Ace Hardware located in the same building relocated to Detroit in January, leaving the whole block on Kercheval Avenue empty, the conversation turned more worrisome.
Now the tone is changing as three tenants are making plans to take over the 50,000 square feet of space.
James V. Bellanca Jr., who manages the property for the family trust that owns it, says David DeRonne will open a DeRonne True Value Hardware in part of the space previously occupied by Ace Hardware. A smaller part of that space, about 11,000 square feet, is in negotiations between two retailers, who can't yet be named, Bellanca says.
The third part of the building, about 22,000 square feet where Borders was located, will become a Beaumont Hospital office and retail development. The back portion of the building will be used for medical, the front for retail, he says. It's a fit with the new Neighborhood Club Beaumont Hospital community and wellness center located just behind the Village and within walking distance of the new building.
Bellanca says True Value, which will be run by a family with a 50-year-plus history in the hardware business, could open by late spring or early summer. Beaumont's facility could be open by August. And the tenant in between could be open for business mid-summer.
Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: James V. Bellanca Jr., attorney and property manager
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