Herkner Jewelers leaving downtown Grand Rapids

After generations in the heart of downtown, Herkner Jewelers is moving out. The 141-year-old jewelry store will leave its downtown location across from the Grand Rapids Art Museum to move near Celebration ...

[Gary]

I bet they are tired of being robbed or living with the fear of being robbed...who can really blame them.

[jerry]

JUST MORE URBAN SPRAWL. Can not blame them though, Wal-Mart started this and we can not afford to buy their low priced chinese goods.

[TDJensen]

I doubt it has anything to do with robberies or WalMart. It has everything to do with the changes downtown. People are going downtown to have fun and food or to find entertainment, not to shop so much anymore. The Knapp area is a hot-spot for shoppers. Herkner's fills the void for jewelry shoppers in that area. Now you can get just about anything in that one small area.

[Oldtimer]

I hope they still have that trolley for money like the old store.

[Ruby]

Actually the lease is not being renewed.
The store has been aware of it for some time.
Downtown GR is NOT a shopping destination anymore.
The store sheds no tears as parking has been a problem for decades.
There has been little encouragement by the city to keep them downtown.
The building is owned by and will be redeveloped by a well known GR family.

[Downtown GR]

IT makes sense. The only thing downtown will be good for is bars, resteraunts and entertainment. Since there is no grocery shopping, people with brains aren't going to live there. If they do, it won't be for long. If the crime spree's continue even the entertainment will leave, but hopefully that's not for years to come. The city is being run by an inept Mayor and as soon as we get someone in there with some fiscal conservative responsibility, things should get better. More cops, better roads, less back-room deals with kickbacks.

[GR Social Worker]

I hope they have a shooting sale before they move.

[LawMichigander]

Customers live north of grand rapids. Meaning they are Amway and other similar executives. That company makes its money through fraud, deceit, and stealing from old and dumb people and if China considers it a pyramid scheme so should we.

[Rudy---Naples Florida]

How sad. Another old time business leaving the downtown. Looks like the future of shopping in Gr is changing.

[Wally Walker]

There has not been any future in shopping in downtown since Steketee's closed.
Any way who can afford the parking in the organized parking cartel anyway, talk about price gouging!!!!
Next time I get notified for Jury Duty, I am going to tell them I can not afford the parking up front cost and if they want me there they can send a cab or police car to pick me up.

WW

[relsmom]

Wally,
you don't have to pay for parking on jury duty, you just go the the designated lot, show them your slip for duty and park for free. You then take a free shuttle bus to the court.

That aside, downtown will continue to lose retail businesses as long as parking is an issue. It is bad enough to pay for parking for a concert or other event, let alone for a short shopping trip.

[TDJensen]

Anyone remember shopping at Wurzburgs? That'll take ya back in time.

[michael g]

relsmom wrote:

Wally,
you don't have to pay for parking on jury duty, you just go the the designated lot, show them your slip for duty and park for free. You then take a free shuttle bus to the court.
That aside, downtown will continue to lose retail businesses as long as parking is an issue. It is bad enough to pay for parking for a concert or other event, let alone for a short shopping trip.

Yeah, that sounded very appealing when I got jury duty back in February. Just park for free and with for a shuttle. Don't worry about the snow, wind and 8* temperature. It will be very convenient.

[we deserve it all]

I've had both Preussers and Herkners validate parking when I shop there, many downtown businesses do, it's rarely an issue, you simply have to ask. Some ramps also offer 30 minutes of free parking

[my precious gollum]

Downtown GR wrote:

IT makes sense. The only thing downtown will be good for is bars, resteraunts and entertainment. Since there is no grocery shopping, people with brains aren't going to live there. If they do, it won't be for long. If the crime spree's continue even the entertainment will leave, but hopefully that's not for years to come. The city is being run by an inept Mayor and as soon as we get someone in there with some fiscal conservative responsibility, things should get better. More cops, better roads, less back-room deals with kickbacks.

Crime spree's?

The only nut job with a gun and a trigger finger at that store is the owner, Mr. Dice. Happy burbs to you. Don't let the door...

[john]

I live downtown and am sad to hear the jewler is moving out. On top of that, Four Friends coffeehouse also is leaving from Monroe Center. Don't count downtown out though! In the past few years, Schuler Books has moved downtown, along with a small grocery store, new restaurants, Health Hut organic store, along with seasonal farm markets in just about every direction.. to name a few. Yes, shopping is changing but people see value in the city center and if you have any doubt the city is thriving, take a drive downtown and have a look. We do need retail though - how about a Whole Foods/Trader Joes just across the river south of GVSU? As fuel prices continue to rise, people will continue moving towards a city center - this is happening all over the world...

[Mary Sunshine]

TDJensen wrote:

Anyone remember shopping at Wurzburgs? That'll take ya back in time.

Yes ,and lunch @ Herp's, with my Grandmother!
What a great place downtown GR used to be.

[GR Social Worker]

LawMichigander wrote:

Customers live north of grand rapids. Meaning they are Amway and other similar executives. That company makes its money through fraud, deceit, and stealing from old and dumb people and if China considers it a pyramid scheme so should we.

AMEN!

[Dan]

michael g wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah, that sounded very appealing when I got jury duty back in February. Just park for free and with for a shuttle. Don't worry about the snow, wind and 8* temperature. It will be very convenient.

It's called a civic-duty, ya whimp.

[turn it in to]

A STRIP CLUB!!!!!!!!!!