Smaller businesses find suburban locations

A flurry of fourth-quarter activity will result in some new faces and expanded spaces for clients of a West Michigan commercial real estate firm.

Bradley Company recently released its completed commercial real estate deals for the fourth quarter of 2017, which include the arrival of new businesses to West Michigan, as well as the expansion of native businesses.

The financial nature of the transactions was not disclosed.

St. Louis-based Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods will open its first West Michigan location at 3094 28th St. SE, Kentwood. Bradley’s Mike Lopatin represented both the tenant and the landlord, Radcliff Development Company LLC.

Johnny Mac’s will lease 9,883 square feet of retail space. The deal was finalized in November and the sporting goods store is scheduled to open in February. Lopatin said the company was drawn to the region because they felt it was a “natural fit.”

“I think they saw an opportunity to service a good consumer base that is going to be left over after MC Sports (closed),” he said. “There’s such a broad variety of colleges and high schools committed to teams sports. They love that there are so many different schools around here.”

Lopatin also represented Chuck Footman, owner of Memory Lane Classic Cars, in leasing 8,777 square feet of industrial space located at 5265 Kellogg Woods Drive SE, Kentwood. Footman specializes in classic car restoration and was looking to move to a larger space to accommodate his growing business. The deal was finalized in December.

“It was a pleasure working with Chuck and expanding his business,” Lopatin said. “He’s very good at sourcing vehicles rust free or vintage classic cars.”

Montell Construction, a firm specializing in exterior home improvement including roofing, windows, siding and decking, recently bought a new retail location at 5140 Plainfield Ave. NE.

Drew Nelson of Bradley represented Montell Construction in the deal. He said he expects the move to a retail space will improve the construction firm’s exposure.

“I think it’s going to be a fantastic location for Montell Construction,” Nelson said. “They were tucked in an almost industrial space, out of sight and out of mind. Now, they’re in a retail location where people will come and see them.”

Montell bought the space from T Square Art Supply Inc., the original builders of the property. T Square was represented by DAR Development Inc. in the transaction. The deal was finalized in November.

Other transactions

  • Lopatin represented 2301 Division Property LLC in the purchase of a 4,800-square-foot retail building located at 2757 Ridgemoor Drive SE, Kentwood. Kevin VanHaitsma of Bradley represented the seller, Grand River Retail LLC.
  • Lopatin also represented WGM LLC in the lease negotiations of 1,500 square feet of retail space located at 1621 Leonard St. NE. Jeff Tucker of Bradley represented the landlord, Green Cane Property LLC.
  • Tucker and Nelson both represented the landlord, Green Cane Property LLC, in the lease negotiations of 12,460 square feet of office space located at 507 36th St. SE, Wyoming.
  • Tucker represented both the landlord and tenant in the lease negotiations of 1,560 square feet of retail space located at 1144 Wealthy St. SE. Reservoir, a boutique store, will open its first Michigan store in this project.
  • Tucker also represented the landlord, 301 S. Lafayette LLC, in the lease negotiations for a 1,952-square-foot retail space located at 301 S. Lafayette St., Greenville.
  • VanHaitsma represented the tenant, Chammas Jurado PC, and the landlord, Eastern Enterprises LLC, in the lease negotiations for 800 square feet of office space located at 2740 Eastern Ave. SE.
  • VanHaitsma also represented P&P Investment Inc. in the purchase of 2.76 acres of land located at 0 Mall Drive in Benton Harbor for a potential undisclosed hotel location. Jodi Milks of Bradley’s Kalamazoo office represented the seller, James Marszalek.