The opportunity to purchase a historic 1847 home in Heritage Hill and restore it for your growing kitchen design business comes along once every 25 years, says Susan Bloss.
That's how long Bloss and her daughter, Holly Marie Peterson, have owned
Lifestyle Kitchen Studio, formerly in East Grand Rapids. The duo bought a historic home at 222 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, which had been renovated decades ago for an ear, nose, and throat medical practice.
The studio moved in last week, an expansion that takes the business from 2,000 square feet to about 7,000, Bloss says. That allows plenty of room for showrooms that include several full kitchens, two working kitchens that can be used for cooking demonstrations and civic events, a laundry room/craft room showroom, and a mudroom display.
"There was a perception when we were in East Grand Rapids that we only work with high-end homes," Bloss says. "We love to do those homes, but we like to work with everyone else as well. We've structured our business to have a variety of price levels to fit a variety of budgets."
One area of focus is to make the entire studio accessible to persons with disabilities, Bloss says. She was paralyzed after contracting a mosquito-borne disease similar to West Nile Virus and gets around by way of a scooter or a walker. She also has a special needs daughter who is confined to a wheelchair.
"Everywhere in our showroom will be accessible," says Bloss. Both she and Peterson are Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists. "There won't be pinch points for someone with a wheelchair, scooter, or a walker."
The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority recently approved $61,600 in matching Building Reuse Incentive Program grant monies for the renovation.
Bloss says the building's basement level will be available for lease for a complimentary retail business. The second level is available as leasable office space.
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. to noon; also open by appointment.
Source: Susan Bloss, Lifestyle Kitchen Studio
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.