Opinions Community Economy Celebrating our Independents
Order Reprints
Follow @MiBiz
By Elissa Hillary
Executive Director, Local First
With its fireworks and floats, early July brings to mind community and a celebration of our independence. Small towns and big cities burst with patriotic pride. We’re reminded of the American dream—the idea that a group of people could create an independent democratic society, that we could start with nothing and through sheer hard work build something great.
This concept reminds me of the many independently owned businesses with whom I have the privilege to work. At some point, each of the businesses was founded by an individual or group of individuals who dreamed of something greater – people who believed that they could scratch out a living and positively impact their community. Let me introduce you to a few of them:
Celebration! Cinema – My Favorite Place to Catch a Flick
In 1944, Jack Loeks opened the Midtown Theatre on Pearl Street in downtown Grand Rapids. Over the past 66 years, the family-owned enterprise has grown to include nine state-of-the-art multiplex theatres with stadium seating and digital projection, as well as two IMAX Theatres in West and Central Michigan. It also owns and operates the Getty in Muskegon, West Michigan’s last remaining drive in theatre. Celebration! Cinema currently employs 670 people.
Kingma’s Market & Butcher Shoppe – My Favorite Place to Buy Groceries
After emigrating from the Netherlands to the United States in 1917, William Kingma made his living as a “huckster,” selling produce from a mobile cart in Grand Rapids neighborhoods. Over three generations, his family-owned business evolved into a full-scale market featuring meats, cheeses, wines and flowers. The organization employs up to 50 people throughout the year and is nestled in a northeast neighborhood.
Koeze Company – My Favorite Crowd Pleasing Gift
Founded by Sibbele Koeze in 1910, the Koeze Company has evolved from a wholesale grocer into the specialty food maker it is known as today. Through four generations of family leadership, the business has diversified its product lines to include delicious peanut butter, roast nuts and fine chocolates. Koeze employs over 50 people during the holiday season.
Like the thousands of locally-owned businesses that make our communities unique, Celebration! Cinema, Kingma’s Market and Koeze Company each started with an individual’s dream. And their pursuit of that dream has created jobs for many individuals and has helped to grow our local economy. In this season of Independence, let’s celebrate the creation of our country and let’s also celebrate those independent business owners whose entrepreneurship, innovation and hard work help keep the American dream alive. MSS