Young owners, hip businesses headed downtown

The year's not even half over and already downtown Kalamazoo has welcomed five new retailers, two new restaurants, one bank branch and one theater. Two more retailers are in the wings.

That doesn't even count a retailer and restaurant that opened their doors downtown during December -- the scooter store, Ace's Cycle, and fine European dining spot, Rustica.

Rob Peterson, of Downtown Kalamazoo Inc., says this business boom is really not surprising. The newcomers simply are meeting a demand that has been growing in Kalamazoo for shops and restaurants not like those found anywhere else. "People in Kalamazoo have been craving something a little unique. They don't want the same store you can find in every other town."

The new shops also are opening because other local retailers are running their businesses well and it is attracting business downtown. "They're focusing on customer service and they are creating something wonderful for patrons -- something more than putting merchandise on a shelf." As more shops continue to stay open later in the evening and patrons find there is more to downtown than athletic shoes and attire at Gazelle Sports, Peterson expects the current momentum to continue to build.

Another encouraging note -- the majority of the new businesses are being started by young owners, so the next generation of downtown businesses could be growing up.

Here's the roll call:

• Retro, 240 S. Kalamazoo Mall, sells vintage furniture and accessories, primarily from the 1950s through the 1970s. The store moved from its previous South Westnedge Avenue location where it has been for the past 10 years;

• An eclectic new store, i heart ipanema, 115 W. Lovell St., got its start at the online retail site Etsy. It offers apparel for women and men. It also sells art and vinyl; 

• Big Steps shoe store, 245 S. Kalamazoo Mall, sells sizes 13 to 22 for men and 10 to 17 for women. It fits into 850 square feet of the commercial space that formerly housed Terrapin. (Terrapin moved next door.);

• Cakes Boutique, 245 S. Burdick, is a clothing retailer doing business in 1,000 square feet of the space, owned by Patti Reinholt. Its motto is bringing big city shopping for women's apparel and accessories to Kalamazoo at affordable prices. It shares space with Big Steps;

• Isabel Soto Jewelry, 155 Farmers Alley, offers pieces designed by artisans from around the world. The new showroom is open only by appointment;

• Consumers Credit Union, 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall. The downtown Kalamazoo branch, will be Consumers' 13th credit union branch in West Michigan. The 3,000-square-foot branch is expected to employ four people;

• Studio 246, 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall, is the home to Crawlspace Evictions Productions, Fancy Pants Theater, and Kinetic Affect. The troupes appear in rotation at the theater;

• Casa Bolero, fine Mexican restaurant with a full wet bar, now doing business at 116 Portage Road;

• Studio Grill, 312 W. Michigan Ave., opened this winter as a bakery and coffee shop and now offers casual dining restaurant as well.

Joining them soon will be Brewer's Garden, 248 N. Kalamazoo Mall. It will offer specialty ingredients that homebrewers otherwise might not find in the Kalamazoo area -- such as organic hops grown by Michigan farmers. The 800-square-foot space is in the 200 block of the North Mall across from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Confection, a specialty baker, 230 S. Kalamazoo Mall, will be a full-service bakery that will sell muffins, cones, cookies and donuts. When it opens the plans are for a full espresso bar, sandwiches, salads and some entrees for lunch.

Peterson says downtown retailers and restaurateurs lobbied DKI two years ago to focus on recruiting and retaining businesses, duties that had been spread among several DKI employees. It became his job to pay attention to what could be done. "The first thing I ask myself each morning is what can I do to move the cause forward." And while he says he does not want to give himself too much credit, that attention has helped lead to success downtown.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Rob Peterson, DKI