HOLLAND — Residents accustomed to dropping by Van Wieren Hardware can breathe a sigh of relief; the building will remain a hardware store, after all.
Kristen Redell, great-granddaughter of founder Andrew Van Wieren, confirmed the news to The Sentinel on Monday, July 8.
As she and her family reflect on 75 years in business, there are countless memories that come to mind — like the times they stayed open during intense storms, and when they'd pick up nightcrawlers as bait for local fisherman.
The store's history dates back to 1948, when Andrew and Harriett Van Wieren opened a gas station/lunchroom/bait shop at the corner of Division and Ottawa Beach Road.
It’s been run by three generations of owners and five generations of employees.
This Saturday, the shop at 645 Douglas Ave. will close its doors for the last time.
“It’s a happy time,” Redell said. “I think, when you close a business, everybody thinks it should be sad. I know everyone is looking forward to next steps with retirement and enjoying life.”
Redell said the building has been sold and will be leased by Rivers Ace Hardware, a family-owned chain of stores with locations across West Michigan, including in Whitehall, New Era, Grand Haven and Rothbury.
“It's a family-run hardware business, which was important to us,” Redell said. “We're excited that the community will still be able to receive amazing support for their projects through a locally run hardware store.”
The building and surrounding land was originally listed for sale in April and included four addresses (645 Douglas and 9, 15, and 19 Division). The properties on Division include rental homes and all four were zoned C-1 Commercial.
The main building is 20,750 square feet with a 1,086-square-foot house in the rear, all on 3.33 acres. The home at 9 Division is 728 square feet on 0.5 acres, the home at 15 Division is 1,399 square feet on 0.97 acres, and the home at 19 Division is 1,152 square feet on 0.64 acres.
Redell said a timeline for Ace Hardware's opening is yet to be determined, but confirmed plans to update the building. Rivers Ace has offered employment to all current store workers.
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Prices will drop by 80% this week, and the family will hold an open house from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, as one last celebration.
“The community is tremendous,” Redell said. “We've had such a solid run because of the support and love. We gave a lot to the community but we also got a lot from the community, and I think that’s what owning a business in Holland is all about.”
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
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