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April 28, 2003
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
For Judy Elenbaas, the closing of Tulip City Antique Mall in June is bittersweet.
Elenbaas owns the business along with her mother, Dorothy Schrotenboer, and Leslie Lampen.
"I think all of us have ambivalent feelings," she said.
For seven years they have owned a choice piece of real estate along busy U.S. 31 in Holland Township.
The 6.5-acre site is home to the 30,000 square foot antique mall, and a smaller self-storage warehouse.
They recently sold the high-profile site to Holland-based Geenen DeKock Properties.
The antique mall's last day of business will be Father's Day, June 15.
Late this summer the steel-sided buildings will come down to make way for a new Best Buy consumer electronics store.
"This has been a major crossroads to face -- it's just bittersweet," said Elenbaas.
"This has been my focus for 17 years. I've given my whole life to this," she said.
Elenbaas and her mother founded the antique mall in 1986 and set up shop in a small mall on South Washington Avenue
in Holland.
When Wolohan Lumber shut its doors at the southeast corner of U.S. 31 and Greenly Street in 1996, Elenbaas purchased
the site.
It was a good move.
"We've been a destination mall for 7 years, probably the largest in the area. People come to us first. We've
got a good reputation," she said.
Her dealers agree.
"It's a very successful mall. A lot of us dealers did very well there," said Anne Lee of Holland. She specializes
in glassware, silver and fine china from the past.
"There will be a real void when it's gone because people came from all over to shop there," Lee said.
"We have been very successful ... the business is stable and well run," Elenbaas said.
At one time nearly 200 antique dealers leased space under the steel roof at 3500 U.S. 31. Currently there are about
165.
"Our dealers are like our family at this point," Elenbaas said.
Lee said she's thrilled for Elenbaas, but admits it'll hard to say good-bye to the mall.
"It is bittersweet. We've always known that eventually this day would come, and even though we knew it, it's
hard when it does come because it changes your life," Lee said.
"It's wonderful for Judy and Dorothy and Leslie, they deserve this -- they invested a lot," she said.
Fellow antique dealer Peggy DeWeerd of Holland agrees.
"I have mixed emotions. I'm happy for (them) and I realize this is a great business deal for them.
"I wish them all the best. They've worked hard all these years," said DeWeerd.
Elenbaas is hopeful that another business person or team steps in to open a new antique mall in the area.
"We hope somebody will come forward that would be a wonderful thing for Holland," said Elenbaas.
Whether any new venture would use the Tulip City Antique Mall name has yet to be decided, she said. They continue
talks on that issue.
"We're hoping a good majority of our dealers will go with them," said Elenbaas.
Lee said if another person opens a new antique mall she would not hesitate joining them.
"I'm hoping someone takes the ball and opens another mall in the area. I'd jump at it," she said.
DeWeerd deals in primitive furniture and stoneware, and kitchenware from the 1920s and 30s. She also is interested
in a new location.
"I will hopefully find a new place to go, in another mall," said DeWeerd.
"We've made some great friends and hopefully that will carry on," she added.
Asked about the sale, Elenbaas said the timing was right.
Since moving to the U.S. 31 site, Elenbaas said they've been approached at least a half-dozen times with serious offers
to buy the property.
"We felt now is the time," she said.
What does the future hold for Elenbaas? She and her two partners also own Tulip City Appraisers, and that business
will live on. They do auctions, estate sales and appraisals. No new location has been secured yet, she said, but that work
will continue.
"We'll be around," she said.
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