Baker Book House will break ground March 29 on a major renovation and expansion of its facility.

Founded by Herman Baker as a used bookstore in 1939, the family-owned independent store in Grand Rapids, Mich., will be expanded from 16,000 square feet to 28,166 square feet. The ground-breaking ceremony will take place at its East Paris Ave. location, which it has occupied since 1980 when its founder purchased the space from a construction supply business.

While the store has received routine interior remodels, its new design will position the retail floor space more visibly toward the street and move warehouse operations to the rear of the building.

“Our large selection of used books, 90,000 and up, is a destination for customers worldwide, but we still get customers from right here in Grand Rapids that walk in for the first time and had no idea that we were here,” said Sue Smith, store manager. “The store has always been nice on the inside, but from the street, we look like a warehouse. When the remodel is done, we'll have a retail presence on the street. I'm so grateful that the Baker family has decided to invest in our community in this way.”

In preparation for its renovation, the store held a renovation sale, offering select used books at $1 each and select used fiction at $2. 

The store’s grand opening is expected in August.

• Prev
• Next