A deal is pending
WELL, THAT DIDN’T take long.
The Auto Value auto parts store on Washington Street downtown is closing down and the property is officially up for sale, but likely not for long.
“We have a pending sale on the property,” says realtor Bob Anderson, “which is now undergoing inspections.”
On Tuesday, workers were taking soil samples from the site.
Anderson says the prospective buyer, whom he didn’t identify, plans to keep the building. A prime spot, needless to say, at the corner of Fifth and Washington.
An Auto Value employee says the company intends to close by March 31st, or earlier if the inventory sells out. Looking for a deal? Everything’s 35% off.
Yooper Goddess leaves downtown Marquette
ANOTHER CLOSURE. AND an opening.
The Yooper Goddess store on Third Street has closed after a year in Marquette.
The business, which features Yooper-related clothes and accessories, remains open at its Ishpeming store and also features online sales.
“It was just too much for us because we both have full time jobs,” says Lori Kulji of the Marquette store. She and her sister-in-law, Vikki Kulju, own the business.
The good news here? Hot Plate, which is just a few doors down on Washington and Third, will be moving in–it’ll be a second location for Hot Plate.
The new space is where they’ll feature clay wheel throwing and hand building. Pottery painting, acrylics, and parties will continue at the original space.
Nice to know there’s a growing market for art–specifically pottery–in downtown Marquette.
More space needed
MEANTIME, OVER ON Baraga Avenue…
The Queen City Running Company is moving across the street into the building being vacated by Northwoods Flora, which sold flowers and gifts, and also dealt with spiritual exploration and healing.
They’re closing down. And Kevin Thomsen of Queen City is buying the building.
“We just ran out of space here,” Thomsen says of his current store which he’s renting from the Children’s Museum. “Take a look back here,” he says, showing you the back room which is stuffed to the gills with merchandise that he’d like to put on display.
The new building, which dates back one and a half centuries, is much larger–to accommodate more merchandise and large groups which sometimes congregate at Queen City for running events.
A former floral shop will become the new home of Queen City Running Company.
It also has a rental unit on the second floor. That means more money coming in.
And the running store itself? “We’re doing all right,” Thomsen says with a smile. “We’re doing well. We could always do better.”
He wants to be moved into his new digs by May 1st, just in time for the fourth anniversary of Queen City.
And who’s moving into Queen City’s old space? Lotta rumors, lotta interest, nothing certain yet.