Family-Owned Art Supply Store Shuts Down on West Side as Real Estate Costs and Construction Impact Local Business

GRAND RAPIDS — Service Reproduction Co., an art supply store on Grand Rapids' west side, will close its doors this week after 78 years in business. The family-owned small business, founded in the 1940s, has been a staple for artists, crafters, schools, and professionals across the city.

The store's general manager, Caroll Warners, has worked at Service Reproduction Co. for the past 38 years. Her father owns the business.

"This has been our life," Warners said. "My whole adult life, I've been here."

Warners explained that post-pandemic costs have climbed while sales have fallen. The nearby construction of Amway Stadium has also hurt business, with fewer customers coming in due to construction activity on the street.

"We really saw a decrease in customers coming in," Warners said. "We just can't afford to stay in business anymore."

The store made every effort to move to a different location, but Warners said they were unable to afford it in an inflated real estate market.

"There's been a lot of tears between customers and the staff here," she said. "It was not an easy decision by any means."

While the store closed, the nearby construction of major projects like Amway Stadium and the Acrisure Amphitheater has begun taking their place in the city skyline. The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce has noted that while construction is necessary for long-term economic growth, it sometimes forces small businesses to pay a price.

"We all wish we didn't have to have construction, but it is a necessity," said Alex Benda, the chamber's economic growth business consultant.

Benda said developments like these bring long-term economic growth to the city, including its small businesses, though in the short term, businesses on affected streets often deal with closed roads, less foot traffic and reduced parking.

In these situations, the Grand Rapids Chamber can connect business owners to resources, including a new program called West Michigan Community Cash, which offers gift cards that can only be spent at designated spots throughout the city.

"It takes a villager to make a village," Benda said. "And with construction, those businesses that are on the street are absolutely in need."

After announcing the store's closure, Warners said the response from customers was huge.

"Everybody's just heartbroken we won't be here anymore," she said.

The last day of business for Service Reproduction Co. is this Saturday. Warners expressed gratitude to the artists, crafters, schools and professionals who helped keep her family's business open for more than three-quarters of a century.

"We were here to give people what they needed," Warners said.

Founded in the 1940s, Service Reproduction Co. initially made its money by printing blueprints, and over time branched out into selling art supplies, as seen in the colorful paints, pencils and many other mediums that filled its friendly aisles.

The closure marks a significant loss for Grand Rapids' art community, as the store has served as a gathering place and resource hub for creatives across the city.

"We were here to give people what they needed," Warners said, reflecting on seven decades of service to the community.