TalismanRich Posted January 17, 2017 Posted January 17, 2017 Moving production = beginning of the end... Bucky, you haven't heard the new owner's plan, obviously. Archie told us last summer that he planned to bring manufacturing back to the original room. The area they have moved to is directly behind the old downstairs room that has been Heritage's home for 30 years. At the time, he also mentioned wanting to have a way for visitors to look down at the shop from above. After all these years, the room needed to be updated. From the HVAC to the dust collection and shop floor layout, there are lots of things that will help improve flow through the shop. Heritage not only wants to maintain the craftsmanship that has been the foundation of the company, but want to bring production numbers back up to service the market they feel is there for their "old style" crafted product. If they pull it together anywhere close to what they described last summer, it should be super place to visit, and work.
FredZepp Posted January 19, 2017 Author Posted January 19, 2017 I agree with Rich... the new owners and their plans were an unbelievable godsend to the company. A better result than could have been hoped for. This historic plant will become a destination for many that would have never heard of Heritage otherwise. And they respect the value of the history there and will highlight and preserve it.
Buckyrock Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 I don't believe it will every be successful as "a tourist attraction" - it's an old industrial site in a poor neighborhood. I've been there. I've heard the plans. Time will tell.
bolero Posted January 21, 2017 Posted January 21, 2017 Moving production = beginning of the end... wow, you are a real optimist, aren't you?
Kuz Posted January 21, 2017 Posted January 21, 2017 I don't believe it will every be successful as "a tourist attraction" - it's an old industrial site in a poor neighborhood. I've been there. I've heard the plans. Time will tell. I agree, there is no way somebody like Joe Bonomassa would want to swing by for a look & a picture.....
Buckyrock Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 You think Joe is going to stop by there often? A beer garden and restaurant? really? Those things take a sustained consumer base - everyday. Time will tell.
FranzMohamitz Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 You think Joe is going to stop by there often? A beer garden and restaurant? really? Those things take a sustained consumer base - everyday. Time will tell. So does someone urinate in your Cheerios every morning or what? Do yourself a favor and take a quick glance at the last 10 posts that you've contributed to this forum. It shouldn't be too hard to see that your coming off as being kind of a knob. Good day sir.
Kuz Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 You think Joe is going to stop by there often? A beer garden and restaurant? really? Those things take a sustained consumer base - everyday. Time will tell. I don't know how often you have been to the plant (Parsons St), but 3-4 blocks away there are restaurants and hotels. They had an outside concert there about 4 years ago during our tour. So while I agree the area exactly at the plant is not great, there is a big revitalization only a few blocks away. So yes, I think it could work for the everyday consumer. Time will tell.
HANGAR18 Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 I drove 25 miles one way for breakfast this morning because I really like the place.
bolero Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 I drove 25 miles one way for breakfast this morning because I really like the place. nice!! whats' the restaurant? hell, I would drive 6 hours to have lunch at the Heritage beer garden, quaff a few pints, and check out the factory
ShredAndDestroy Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 "the area exactly at the plant" is next door to a church, and elementary school and a few homes. It is on the edge of Kalamazoo's North Side nieghborhood, which is home to Kalamazoo's largest African American population. Directly to the east is the Kalamazoo river, the water reclamation faciilty and whats left of the paper industry. A few blocks north is Bell's beer. There has been a lot of agressive development in that area in the last few years.
bolero Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 Jimmy Hoffa is also rumoured to be somewhere in that area
ShredAndDestroy Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 My point is that when you disparage the location of the revered factory that many of you make a "pilgramage" to, you are belittling the place where people live, worship and send thier children to learn. Someone mentioned revitilizing the area earlier. Its not like there isnt a vibrant culture and community there already.
bolero Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 yes, I agree...my Jimmy Hoffa comment was purely a joke
rjstauber Posted January 23, 2017 Posted January 23, 2017 I visited the factory last October on a Friday afternoon. I was over to the US for a business trip (from Germany). They gave me a personal tour (I was the only one attending), and they were super nice to me. I have heard about Heritage only a few weeks before, and was very interested in the history. My wife is from Grand Rapids which is about an hour away, and we visit her family every year in the summer. Once they have updated the place, I plan to go there again, taking my family.I already saw part of the renovated building in October. The hole visit was very interesting. Bought a T-shirt as well, I think they are very nice (had to buy one size larger since they run a little bit small).Here are a few of pictures from the visit.
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