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Once the Largest in Michigan, Flat River Antique Mall Set to Close Its Doors in February

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Once the Largest in Michigan, Flat River Antique Mall Set to Close Its Doors in February f'ltv Hi AG a CONS' 300K BINDER, 35^ SPRINGPOfU, MICHIGAN • 9284 The T^well ledger Volume 34 Issue 11 Serving Lowell Area Readers Since 1893 Wednesday, January 18, 2006 Once the largest in Michigan, Flat River Antique Mall set to close its doors in February By Dan Schneider Antiques made of colored I glass are everywhere. ith "4 Floors Children are often seen of Antiques" there, though it might not be and "More 'ti W the best place to take them- km Antiques Downstairs," ac- -either because of the glass cording to signs posted or because there's a chance around the place, the Flat they might get lost in the *'4 River Antique Mall is a giant Floors of Antiques." KM of antique commerce. The antique mall has 'a" i The basement has old been on Lowell's Main *0~ clothes and antique fabrics. Street almost 20 years. At f On the main level are chairs, its peak, it filled nearly a MMt toys and books. The second whole city block and had floor, the one with the low five floors of antiques. The ceiling, has antique Coleman mall will close at the end of l]j lanterns. There are light February, about three days fixtures hanging all over before its 20th anniversary. .-.ivr- on the upper floor, next to a "We hate to see it close, high-ceilinged room full of we love it here, but that's rusting garden ornaments. what's happening," said W . BlMUMi In its almost 20 years in business, the Flat River Antique Mall drew quite a bit of traffic to Lowell. The mall used to have five floors of antiques. Marilyn Hendges. 4kEnd of "They have had a huge She said with the an era." impact on bringing visitors economy in the shape it Hendges, proprietor of in as a destination," Lowell is in, it is becoming more booth B18, has been a dealer Area Chamber of Commerce difficult to sustain such a wj at the mall for nearly as long director Liz Baker said. large antique operation. And as the mall has been there ... The mall will stay open the auction web site Ebay 18 years. seven days a week until Feb. has changed the landscape of m There are certainly 12. After that, the operation antique dealing, McCollum older businesses in Lowell. will gradually shut down. added. But the antique mall is one Feb. 26 will be its final day. When the McCollum's - n' - that has defined the city for March 1 would have been first bought the building, . ..; 2 many people who traveled its 20th anniversary. they did so out of an interest *kVsli here to shop there. Flat River Antique in renovating historic Mall's owners, Ron, 58, buildings. The antique mall and Laura, 55, McCollum, idea came later. It started Township approves rezoning are gearing down for an on the cusp of a boom for early retirement, Laura antique malls that lasted McCollum said. They will into the early 1990s. be shifting their focus to "We became the largest of land approved for PDR program their other business. Storm antique mall in Michigan By Dan Schneider Hill Nursery in Cascade Antique mall closing, determined the value of the development rights on the land Township. cont'd., pg. 9 farmer in Lowell Township is hoping to get a to be $153,600, or $2,400 per acre. better price for the development rights on his "1 was grossly unhappy with his appraisal," Merriman Aland after the township board approved rezoning said at the township board meeting Monday. the land to a less strict agricultural designation. Merriman hired his own appraiser, which is acceptable Joe Merriman's 64 acres on the south side of 52nd Street under the county PDR ordinance. But the county agricultural between Alden Nash and Bancroft avenues was among the preservation board did not accept the appraisal, Merriman \\U top priorities on the county's list of land to preserve under explained. tVve the fledgling Purchase of Development Rights program. The "They said they didn't think his appraisal took Lowell program seeks to keep land in agriculture by paying owners Township's Ag-1 zoning into enough consideration," for an easement that prevents development of the property. Merriman said. Passport Info ...Page 3 In the case of the Merriman farm, the process went Lowell Township has two degrees of agricultural zoning. Ag-1, or prime agricultural, allows eight houses per smoothly until it came to determining a price for the Trays Still Trashed ...Page 4 development rights. Merriman submitted an application square mile. to have 64 of his 80 acres entered into the program during "If your land is zoned Ag-1, then you really are pretty Kent County's first PDR application cycle in 2003. Also in much restricted from building houses on it," said Lowell Thornet Manager Retires that year, the township approved the land for preservation ... Page 11 through the program. The appraiser the county hired Rezoningy cont'd,, pg. 13 m THE LOWELL LEDGER • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18,2006 PAGE 2 THE LOWELL LEDGER • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18,2006 PAGE 3 HALLER step-great-grandchildren. Royal Forest Haller, He was preceded in death Free elms available under aged 88, of Saranac, passed by a son Terry C. Haller, City now offering passport services away January 14, 2006 in daughter-in-law Barbara Haller, brother Keith Haller, By J Lobdell Ionia. He was bom May matching grant program provided it for the last To expedite an Sometimes the process Contributing Writer 15, 1917 in Berlin Twp., sister-in-law Helen Haller. several years. application, which assures can get a little tricky when T H Roger and Doris Timmer the son of Royal E. and Funeral services will be The new Matching Tree landscape designs, "When I had to get a that it is sent overnight to the it's a minor or a person with of Grand Rapids, Mary Racie (Leopard) Haller. held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Grant Program for 2006 has including elm-lined drives, Planning on traveling passport four years ago, I U.S. Department of State, it divorced parents or other overseas in the next couple Timmer and Ed Bryan of Royal married Helen Bever Lake Funeral Home in Ionia been announced by Elm elm groves and specimen went to the Alto post office," is an extra $60 on top of the family situations, Morlock Byron Center; mother-in- on November 25, 1937 and with Rev. Mark Lipscomb Research Institute (ERI), elms in choice locations. of months? Got a student Morlock said. $97 fee. said, adding that most of the law Zelma Calvi; siblings she preceded him in death officiating. Interment a nonprofit organization As the elms mature, they who's looking to study More recently, the To get a passport, a time the process is pretty Jim (Jean) Timmer of Troy, on December 4, 1998. He Saranac Cemetery. The based in Keene, NH. This raise their wide canopies in France or Spain this federal government has person must either fill out simple. summer? Cathy (Virgil) Cotter of married Doris Wheelock family will receive friends unique, community-oriented to heights that afford clear expanded the program to the application form at City Appointments are not GOSPELMEN Caledonia, Linda Kirby October 31, 2001. He was and relatives Wednesday at promotion features disease- views of the architectural Well, you won't have municipalities, and many are Hall or have it downloaded necessary but passport CONCERT of Fairbault, MN, Barb a member of West Berlin 12 p.m. until time of service. resistant American Liberty details of buildings and to plan a special trip out of picking up the opportunity from www.travel.state. applications are only The Gospelmen will be in a concert of worship on (Steve) Schulle, Missouri Wesleyan Church, Best Memorial contributions may Elms which are the only deep shade for people to town to get that passport. because "with tight budgets gov. The person must also accepted between 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 at First Baptist Church, 2275 W. Main City, Texas; brother-in-law Years Fellowship and was be made in Royal's name street proven, purebred, enjoy. In fact, you don't it's another way to bring in bring in proof of U.S. and 4 p.m. Monday through from 9:30 -11 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Doyle (Peggy) Calvi of involved in the Missions to West Berlin Wesleyan native American elms with Having elms as a even need to go to the some income," Morlock citizenship, i.e., an original Friday. Morlock said the 4 Hamilton, Ohio; step-sister Committee at church. Royal Church Building Fund. a Lifetime Warranty against landscape element again, Grand Rapids post office explained. birth certificate with a raised p.m. deadline is to ensure LHS CLASS TRIP Kelly Moody and Steve is survived by his loving wife Dutch elm disease. designers can continue the or city office because the One-day training was seal, a photo ID, such as a that the application can be x A parents' meeting regarding the LHS class of 2006 CALVI Bulson. Funeral service was Doris of Saranac; son Gary HUBBARTH Here s how the Matching tradition of Fredrick Law Lowell City Clerk's office offered on Plainfield where Michigan driver's license hand delivered to the post senior trip is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in Lois T. Calvi, aged 46, held Jan. 16 at Ada Bible and Beverly Haller of Lake Evelyn Barbara Tree Grant Program works: Olmsted, who included can now process passport several city staff members or a Michigan ID, and two office for that night's mail.
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