Part II - Business, a supplement to the Big Rapids Pioneer Newspaper. Used with permission.



EASTSIDE BUSINESS DISTRICT GROWING TOO

Trailside Crossing is certainly the newest mall in the greaters Big Rapids area, and the only mall on the east side of the Muskegon River. But, it is just the latest of business establishments that have come and gone and still exist on the city's southeast side particularily along East Maple and South Third Strrets. Two of the oldest are Big Raids Cash and Carry and Bill Proctor's Sawmill Saloon. The cash and carry concept was new to Mecosta County when it was started by Gordon Van Dyke back in May of 1955. The Sawmill Saloon was opened by Bill and Reed in 1969 in a building perviously used as an office building for the Jones and Green lumber and flooring complex. (Pioneer photo/Jim Bruskotter)

In 1938 the building (left) at the corner of Fourth and Baldwin was being operated by William C. Krupp and his wife Rose as a grocery store. Over the years it has continuued to operate under several owners as a meat market, grocery store and deli, including today as Bea's Market, and is one of several longtime business buildings on the citys east side. Most the the retail growth on the east side (above) is concentrated toward the south end along Third Avenue, including the recent addition of a small strip mall.
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