GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday marked the grand opening of Greyson Clothiers' Grand Rapids Den.
The location of the 4,100-square-foot store is 40 Monroe Center NW, just west of Division Avenue. Chris Brancato is the vice president of retail sales. He tells WOOD Radio they've been looking forward to the store's opening.
"This is our third in Michigan, our ninth worldwide. And we're here to commemorate this with state and local dignitaries. A lot of work's gone into getting open today," he said.
Rockford Construction was involved in the remodeling. Its founder, Mike Van Gessel, says his company has owned the Peck Building since 1998 and did some renovations to make it look sharp.
"It's just been a fantastic journey to get to where we're truly creating a retail presence here. A retail destination. So, we're super-excited. Greyson is really somebody I've been working to get here for a long time," Van Gessel said.
The luxury lifestyle brand is now part of the Monroe Center corridor that is experiencing a revitalization.
"We're really excited about expanding our line of performance and tailored collections here in the city, but also opening up a custom shop," Brancato said. "It showcases a growing library of license partners that we have, to include the (Detroit) Lions, the Red Wings, the University of Michigan and Michigan State, just to name a few."
The Custom Shop is a glass enclosure that offers guests the opportunity to customize hats and other wears while watching the process in action.
To mark the grand opening, an announcement was made about a limited-release shoe in collaboration with Wolverine World Wide’s Saucony brand. Greyson is offering a limited early release of 50 pairs of its Greyson x Saucony shoe to in-store Grand Rapids guests on Saturday, Dec. 7; before it debuts online on Dec. 9.
As for the renovations of the Peck Building and the nice decor inside Greyson Clothiers, Van Gessel said "it's fresh, it's bright.
"I mean, the new floor. The ceiling's been done. The bathrooms are in really great shape. It's been a nice little project to get ready for them."
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rick Baker said he is pleased with the Greyson Clothiers opening.
"This is a beautiful addition to our downtown. It's nice to see retail come into a historically retail-centered community. So, this is very exciting. I look forward to having people come down and see just how beautiful this addition is to our community," Baker said.
Among the other dignitaries who participated in the ribbon-cutting were Elise Bassi Igoe, Rockford development manager; Richard App, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce retail retention and attraction specialist; Mike Mraz, president real estate development, Rockford; Tim Kelly, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. president and CEO; and Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington.
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