Tom Ungrodt takes the helm at Ideation, Inc.

Thomas D. Ungrodt has been appointed president and CEO of Ideation, Inc., after a brief period of reorganization following the passing of his father Paul “Skip” Ungrodt, founder and CEO of Ideation. Tom has served as an officer of the company and company-owned retail stores for 25 years. He is also a member of the Michigan Retail Services, Inc., Board of Directors and former chair of the Association’s workers’ compensation insurance program.

Shelley Raymond of Baker Street Draperies in Farmington has been selected for the design committee of the Main Street program underway in downtown Farmington. Raymond serves on the city’s Commission on the Environment, and like many residents, is concerned about the aesthetics of the built environment in Farmington as well as increasing pedestrian traffic in the area

Several MRA member shoe retailers were featured in an article in the December 2002 Shoe Retailing Today, the industry’s national magazine. Roger Bergman of Borr’s Bootery in Holland, Margaret Salyers of McLinden’s Shoes in Southgate and Mike Yaeger of Yaeger’s Shoes in Monroe all contributed quotes to an article about the history of shoe retailers. Vintage photos from Muller’s Family Shoe Center in Grand Rapids and V & A Bootery in Kalamazoo were also part of the photo essay.

Rubyjuice, a homegrown juice and smoothie bar in Holland, is now offering franchise opportunities. In addition to fresh-squeezed juices and vitamin-packed California-style smoothies, Rubyjuice also offers sandwiches, salads and other healthy food choices. More information about franchising is available at the company’s website, www.rubyjuice.com.

Kmart, Wal-Mart, CVS, Gardner White and other retailers are distributing in their stores, free of charge, the first-ever Membership Directory & Consumer Guide published by the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Michigan. "The BBB Better Pages provides public recognition to those companies that have made a commitment to provide ethical business practices and quality customer service in our community," said Fred Hoffecker, president and CEO of the BBB of Eastern Michigan.

Christopher & Banks Corporation announces the grand opening of two new C.J. Banks stores on April 11 in Traverse City and Port Huron. The new stores bring the total of Michigan locations to nine. Other C.J. Banks stores are in Bay City, Holland, Lansing, Muskegon, Portage and Grand Rapids.

Meijer Inc. has begun offering a new private-label credit card in the Detroit area. It plans to expand use of the cards to all of its 156 locations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio by May. The card has no annual fees and will be accepted only at Meijer stores and gas stations

T & T Trading, Inc., a specialty retailer in Grand Ledge, celebrated a grand reopening in its new, expanded showroom on March 16. The new 6,900-square-foot showroom allows owners Tom and Theada Howard to offer a much wider selection of beads, beading supplies and jewelry supplies.

The Mole Hole, a specialty gift shop which has done business for 19 years on the Kalamazoo Mall in downtown Kalamazoo, is planning to relocate in late 2003 to the Willow Creek Shopping Center in Portage.

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized East Lansing businessman Roy C. Saper of Saper Galleries as its 2003 Outstanding Small Business Person. The annual award is presented to the owner of a local small business that meet the criteria of stability, innovation, commitment to community, perseverance and commitment to diversity. Saper has been in the art business for 25 years, after a successful career as an economist with the State of Michigan.

James E. Schwark has joined the Daniel Lynch Sales Company in Grand Rapids as a sales counsultant. Schwark is the former president and CEO of Schwark Furniture, a high-end four-store chain in the northern suburbs of metro Detroit. He is a past board member of the National Home Furnishings Association and current board member of the Michigan Retailers Association

Specialty lawn and garden retailer Frank’s Nursery and Crafts has named former Michaels Store executive Bruce Dale its chief executive officer, effective April 14. Dale, a 10-year Michaels veteran, most recently served as president of the arts and crafts retailer’s Aaron Brothers division, which has expanded its store count from 65 in 1995 to 155 today.

Carlin Smith has returned to the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, assuming the position of executive director. Smith, who served as Petoskey’s downtown coordinator from March 1999 to May 2001, started work at the Chamber on January 6. In addition, the Chamber has announced the creation of a new summer festival: “Petoskey’s Festival on the Bay.”

Clothing retailer Maurices has relocated its Fort Gratiot store to a new space in Birchwood Mall. The new store, featuring a warm decor and customer-friendly layout, opened its doors on March 18.

Gordon Food Service’s GFS Marketplace is now open on Sunday, from noon until 5 p.m., in all of its five West Michigan locations. The Sunday hours are new to its Grand Rapids location, the only one that remained closed on Sunday until the recent change. A new location in Cascade Township replaces the Marketplace in Kentwood, one of the company’s original locations, which closed in late March.

West Michigan’s first New Balance Concept Store has opened in Grandville’s Century Center, near Rivertown Crossings Mall in the Grand Rapids area. New Balance Grand Rapids, owned and operated by Gazelle Sports and managed by John Korreck, is one of only three New Balance Concept Stores in Michigan. The others are located in Farmington Hills and Troy.

The Home Depot has launched Project Homefront, a national program created to help military families repair and maintain their homes while a family member is deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In coordination with Rebuilding Together, the country’s largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization, The Home Depot will commit $1 million to the project and one million hours of service through its Team Depot volunteer corps.

Adventure Marketing, a rustic lodge-inspired showroom, has recently opened at the Michigan Gift Mart in Northville. In addition to the new showroom, the Mart has welcomed more than 25 new lines, just in time for spring and summer buying.

Craig C. Sturken was named president and CEO of Spartan Stores in early March, replacing James B. Meyer, who announced his plans to retire last year. Meyer is serving as transitional chair of the company. Sturken has more than 40 years of retail grocery and wholesale experience and served most recently as CEO of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) Midwest and Atlantic regions.

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