GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The recent spate of retail giants closing stores in West Michigan is creating a chance for new local retailers, according to an analysis by Colliers International.
Family Christian stores will shut down Saturday, the company’s website states. Earlier this week, Grand Rapids’ own MC Sports closed all of its stores. Before that, Sears shut down some of its locations. Gordmans is also closing stores.
While it may not seem like a hit to the local economy, Colliers International says the shutdowns may not all be bad. The empty storefront each company leaves behind creates opportunities for new retailers to come to West Michigan.
“A lot of the locations that are going to go dark here are going to be replaced with newer, fresher retailers,” said Mike Murray, senior vice president of Colliers International.Some well-known companies are among those looking at the West Michigan market.
Some well-known companies are among those looking at the West Michigan market.“National retailers, when they come to Grand Rapids and they’ve never been before, they recognize how special of an area we have and they want to be here. And they’re coming,” said Murray.
Some well-known companies are among those looking at the West Michigan market.