Development Grant Leads to Opening of Grand Rapids Bookstore

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As part of a strong movement to revitalize downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, an independent bookstore and cafe opened on December 10 in the former Steketee's department store. River Bank Books & Music, owned by Debra Lambers of the Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague, Michigan, occupies about 10,000 of the 100,000 square feet of space in the eight-story landmark building, completed in 1917.

To help finance renovations and launch the business, Lambers, who is originally from Grand Rapids, was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA). With opening expenses totaling $1 million, Lambers appreciated the support and the leverage the grant provided to secure other funding.

"I was approached about a year ago by a strong advocate of downtown development," Lambers told BTW. "I first said 'no' [to opening a downtown bookstore], but then I began to do some demographic research. The research was critical to changing my mind about the store. I saw that the city was coming back to life after years of decline. Grand Rapids is now a college town -- with six or seven colleges and a total of 30,000 students. There are 19,000 people living downtown and 50,000 working in the city. The city is vibrant and booming."

The primary tenant of the former Steketee's building, and a potential customer base for River Bank, is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and the building also includes bank offices.

With considerable support from both the state and the city, Grand Rapids has developed mixed-use properties, including independent retailers. "I had conversations with the mayor, and others involved in downtown development," said Lambers, "and I knew that a bookstore was part of the marketing plan."

Once she felt confident that Grand Rapids was steadily developing, Lambers completed the extensive application and business plan required by the DDA. Apparently the plan was convincing -- after her presentation the members unanimously approved the grant.


The Steketee Stage during and after construction.

Lambers told BTW that tremendous effort was involved in financing the store. "You don't just go out and get a loan," she said. "It helped that I already had a successful business. The Book Nook, which I opened four years ago, is doing very well. The DDA grant was proof to financial institutions that city officials were confident in me."

Lambers told BTW that, at a total of 10,000 square feet, River Bank is the largest retail space in downtown Grand Rapids. The store employs about 40 people. Lambers is currently using 8,200 square feet of the space for books, music, gifts, cards, a children's area, and the City Cafe.

The cafe, which seats 60, offers coffees, light meals, and desserts. Patrons can sit on comfortable red leather chairs placed throughout the store and in front of a working fireplace. Historic reminders of Steketee's and old Grand Rapids are included in the decor, according to Lambers, through pictures and original murals and signage. River Bank also includes the Steketee Stage, which features frequent performances of local musicians. Lambers knows that the store will attract many students and is catering to their needs. She hopes to add textbooks on the store's lower level.

Lamber said, "I'm very excited and proud to be part of the downtown resurgence. There are many people who live downtown who would rather shop downtown. We want to be a warm and comfortable place. The money is necessary, but is only part of the effort [in opening the new store]. There's also working 75 to 90 hours a week -- you really have to have a passion for this." --Nomi Schwartz