GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A popular West Michigan restaurant is closing its doors after nearly 45 years in business.
Great Lakes Shipping Company, which has been a fixture in southeast Grand Rapids, has been given the option of closing or moving to a new location by their landlord, CWD Real Estate. The owners say they can't afford to move, so they'll be closing at the end of the month.
Bert Irwin, the President and shareholder of Great Lakes Shipping Company, tells us that he was informed by CWD that they were going to tear the building down and they had through May to relocate.
With newer businesses in the area, like Fresh Thyme and West Elm, Great Lakes Shipping Company no longer fits the look of Breton Village.
"We actually agreed that it had to come down sooner or later in order for him to have this be one cohesive unit," said Irwin. "We were just hoping that he would find us a spot to move to and he told us he can't."
A third option, selling to another buyer who could afford to move the restaurant, also failed.
The restaurant's 32 employees were informed of the news over the weekend.
Great Lakes Shipping Company's last day will be May 28th and owners encourage everyone to come say goodbye and eat there one last time. The restaurant is on Burton Street out in front of the Breton Village Mall.
