A handful of businesses have set up shop in downtown Zeeland in the past seven months, and although its most recent addition, Marc Photography, is new to Main Street, owner and photographer Andrew Kraker began the venture in 2007.
Kraker had been operating out of his home in Zeeland, and grew his business by word-of-mouth, mainly in the Grand Rapids area. When the business outgrew his home, Kraker settled on a storefront in downtown Zeeland, hoping to attract a more local base.
“I was looking for spaces all over,” Kraker says. “I came across this place in downtown and it came at a good price. There’s good traffic here, and I decided it was better to get a place where people can see your name.”
Kraker opened Marc Photography, which derives its name from Kraker's middle name, at 111 E. Main St. on May 26. With help from family and friends, Kraker renovated the 1,000-square-foot former coffee shop. He employs two office workers, and his wife, Tiffany, works as a second photographer when needed.
Marc Photography offers photos for weddings, engagements, senior portraits, family and lifestyle portraits. Kraker calls his style of photography “photojournalistic,” capturing moments that often appear to be candid, even when they are posed. But no matter what style someone is looking for, he says it all comes down to the connection between client and photographer.
Kraker also says Marc Photography has competitive prices when compared to other local photographers.
Zeeland City Marketing Director Abby deRoo says downtown draws for business owners include the price for a location, marketing that the city does to promote downtown Zeeland and a sign grant program that pays up to 50 percent of storefront signage.
“We’re fortunate,” deRoo says. “We’re filling gaps and adding new businesses.”
Source: Andrew Kraker, Marc Photography; Abigail deRoo, City of Zeeland
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.