The truth is out. A.K. Rikk’s, a local Grand Rapids boutique known for its involvement in the fashion community of West Michigan, is at it again! Rikk’s is once again investing and expanding the fashion scene of Grand Rapids. Rumors circulated when the store announced it would be holding a press conference at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids last Friday.
At the press event everyone waited to hear what Rikk’s had up its sleeve, while enjoying a light breakfast. The store has gained a reputation for giving back to the fashion community and to working hard to help it grow. They have donated time and energy into charity fashion events such as the annual Design 1 Fashion Event. Rikk’s single-handedly brought Fashion’s Night Out to Grand Rapids. And they continue to be a pillar of support for other companies such as the Matthew Agency, trying to make the fashion scene in our city that much cooler.
The announcement? A.K. Rikk’s will move into a new, state-of-the-art renovated building this summer! The new building will increase their floor space to a stunning 28,000 sq feet! Features like the 12 ft by 17 ft tall video display, the enormous 34 ft tall display window, and the use of technology inside the store are sure to create a shopping experience to rival any large city!
While the store will stay true to providing phenomenal men’s fashion, the new expansion will allow for a children’s play area, a fragrance bar, a furniture and home section, and (perhaps most importantly) a larger selection of women’s styles. There was actually an audible gasp from the audience when A.K. Rikk’s President Jim Murry displayed an image of the new women’s shoe salon to be built into the new space.
Perhaps the most intriguing new feature of Rikk’s expansion is what Murry called The Backroom. Focusing once more on bringing more to the local fashion community than a rack of clothes and a fancy store, A.K. Rikk’s Backroom will provide a work/teaching space with ton’s of potential for programs geared towards students of fashion, design, merchandising, and retail management. The exact goals and mission for this workshop space are still in flux, and being solidified by the team at Rikk’s, but the possibilities are endless!
Grand Rapids certainly has a passion for the world of fashion, and the community is constantly growing. With each idea that comes to reality, the possibilities grow. It will be exciting to see what other ideas this announcement by Rikk’s will produce! I personally cannot wait to see what the future of Grand Rapids Fashion holds!
The important people involved in this project:
Print
Email