It's no small feat that Big George's has become such a large institution in Ann Arbor over the last nearly 50 years. The west side electronics seller took a big step for the city this year when it opened a new building with green features.
The new 20,500 square foot store/showroom at the corner of Stadium Boulevard and Federal Street by the post office as an 11,000-square-foot green roof. That green roof is made of 2-foot by 4-foot modules that are 4-inches deep. There is also a patio area on top of the building for demonstrations and events and acts as a third floor.
The green roof absorbs 95 percent of the water that falls on it. It also provides insulation in the winter and reduces the temperature on the roof to air temperature in the summer. Normal tar roofs can reach well over 100 degrees in the summer.
Big George's, which describes itself as "the biggest little superstore" opened a few storefronts down on Stadium in 1959. The new store, which stands where an old gas station once stood, provides more space for merchandise, such as electronics and kitchen cabinets. It is also now offering green alternatives for some of its products, such as kitchen cabinets made of recycled material and countertops made of bamboo.
For information, visit www.big-georges.com or call (734) 669-9500.
Source: Mark Bishar, vice president of Big George's
Writer: Jon Zemke
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