Marijuana business looks to purchase State Street property

Sale pending due to March 10 ballot proposal

By Catherine Sweeney, catherine.sweeney@pioneergroup.com

Published 1:00 am PST, Saturday, February 1, 2020

BIG RAPIDS — After being on the market for the past couple of years, the Big Rapids Hobby Shop, 801 N. State St., may have a potential buyer.

According to Re/Max Associate Kati Ross, the property, which is listed for $149,900, is under contract with an out-of-town marijuana distribution company, pending closing at the end of March.

Paula Priebe, Director of Neighborhood Services for the city of Big Rapids, said the sale is pending because of a proposal on the March 10 ballot.

After the city of Big Rapids “opted in” to the authorization of recreational and medical marijuana facilities in October 2019, a proposal initiated by a citizen petition is calling for the city to “opt out” of recreational marijuana. If the proposal passes in March, the city will opt out. If it does not pass, the city will stay opted in, and the potential buyer would have clearance to purchase the property.

“That property is unique because it does not have off-street parking,” Priebe said, noting the property meets all requirements for a marijuana business except for that.

While many businesses in the city are within 300 feet of a municipal parking lot — allowing them to count those parking spaces as part of their business — the Big Rapids Hobby Shop is not, Priebe explained.

According to her, if the proposal does not pass and the city remains opted in, building off-street parking is the only hurdle the company would need to overcome before moving into the space.

While the sale remains on hold until March, current owner Matt Smith said he is not concerned about the proposal passing or not passing.

“If anything, I can just keep the place for storage,” he said, noting he is in the process of closing the store regardless of whether or not it sells.

Opening as an antique resale store in 2008, Smith said he is sorry to see the Big Rapids Hobby Shop go after being part of the community for 12 years.

“We are really sad to see it go,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of community members come and go over the years.”

However, as an English teacher at Big Rapids High School and an adjunct professor at Ferris State University, Smith said his hectic schedule has become too busy to continue the shop and is now in the process of closing it down.

“I just want to thank the community and the city of Big Rapids,” he said, adding that he is excited to focus his attention on his family and teaching career.

Neither Smith nor Ross disclosed the name of the marijuana business that is considering purchasing the property.

The Big Rapids Hobby Shop has been having a clear-out out sale throughout the week to get rid of extra merchandise. It will remain open through the weekend with all items half off.

Those interested in learning more about the sale may visit the store’s Facebook page at “Big Rapids Hobby Shop.”