GRAND RAPIDS, Mich —
Orchard House Books is now open on Michigan Street between Fuller Avenue and Diamond Avenue. The building, which used to be a Grow Co., started construction in April of this year.
Owner Amy Squire wanted the building to be a multi-use place.
“We're trying to do more fun engaging things like puzzle competition, so stuff like that, to make it an engaging space instead of just like a passive shopping experience,” she said.
Some things from the building’s old life remain. The greenhouse in the front is now a seating area and the building is painted with flower murals.
Along with the bookshelves inside, the store is also a cafe.
“I really do hope it's a place you know that people can have fun and socialize and do more than just read books, but talk about books over a cup of coffee,” she said.
Unlike Orchard House’s sister location in Ada, Plumfield Books, Squire wants the Michigan Street bookstore to focus on classics and poetry.
“I'd really like to bring, I know poetry is big in the city,” she said. “So, I'd really like to draw some of those poets in and have them feel comfortable to just come and share some of their work with them.”
Squire said that even though there are books in the store, the building doesn’t need to be treated like a library.
“It's okay to be, you know, loud, but you know, to have conversation and talk,” she said. “I want to hear laughter. I want to hear the kids talking about how great books are.”
Orchard House Books is open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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