The oldest social club in Grand Rapids, the Peninsular Club, will reopen Dec. 10 in space the Louis Benton Steak House once used for its bar at 77 Monroe Center NW. The 128-year-old organization had been at the intersection of Ottawa Avenue and Fountain Street NW for 90 years until it was forced to sell its building and close last year due to dwindling membership and financial difficulties.
According to excerpts from the story:
The Pen Club, which had 114 members as of early November, had more than a thousand members in 1997. (Annie) Hudson (club director of marketing and membership) said at one time in its history, there were as many as 1,400 members — "with a waiting list." She said the club is working hard to increase membership and has created a new membership category for "young professionals," which entails dues of $300 a year plus a minimum annual expenditure of $400 for food and beverages. Regular memberships entail annual dues of $600 plus $800 for food and beverages.
Read the complete story here.
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