What’s New?
By Nate Clark
Graphic Designer/Copywriter
Here and Gone debuted in Ferris Magazine in Fall 2013. Its initial purpose was to share a bit about the Big Rapids community during specific eras and look at what has changed over time. In increments of 15 years, this column has traveled all the way back to 1884, the year Woodbridge Ferris first opened the Big Rapids Industrial School. At some point, the column began to focus more on history rather than on what is new. This edition is all about 2018, and some of the new businesses that have recently come to Big Rapids.
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce – New Facility
Though the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce has been active since 1937, it opened a new facility on the corner of Elm and State streets in the Fall of 2017. The chamber advocates for area businesses, provides leadership opportunites and hosts many events in the Big Rapids area.
Red Fox Market
Many remember Judson Hardware, once a fixture on the 100 Block or the “Judson Block” of Michigan Avenue in downtown Big Rapids. It was in operation from the 1880s to the 1990s. Over the years, the building has housed a number of other businesses and practices, including jewelers, dentists, a shoe store, a record store and a clothing store, among others.
Today, the owners of the Red Fox have put significant time and effort into restoring and rennovating many parts of the building. The market offers items like health foods, Michigan-made products, supplements and essential oils. They also offer energy healing, massage, acupuncture and naturopathic therapy with in-house and traveling therapists. There is a space for classes and clubs, and an effort has begun to renovate upstairs space into modern apartments.
Removal of the old Hanchett Plant
Founded in 1889, Hanchett Manufacturing has been a premiere saw filing machine and tool production company. For the majority of Hanchett’s years in operation, it was located in a large plant on the corners of Northland Dr. and Baldwin St., on the Muskegon River. Recently the old building has been demolished. The City of Big Rapids currently owns the land where the plant once stood, with possible mixed-use development plans for the future. Today, where it once stood, a cleared green space overlooks the river and the newly-landscaped Swede Hill Park on the other side. The Baldwin Bridge has also been recently renovated.
The Raven
There is a new place in downtown Big Rapids to get in-house micro-brew beer and barbecue. The Raven is located where Pepper’s Café once stood and offers delicious food and drinks with a friendly atmosphere and steampunk decor.
What Else?
Here are some other new additions to the Big Rapids community: Belle Tire, Hampton Inn, new Social Security office, JOANN Fabric and Craft, Planet Fitness, Family Farm & Home, and more.
Big Rapids, as well as Ferris’ campus, has an ever-changing landscape. It is important to embrace change. If you are able to, it is exciting to witness.