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CWD announces national retailer West Elm to open in Breton Village

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Feb. 5, 2015) CWD Real Estate Investment, on behalf of Breton Village, announces that a lease has been signed with Brooklyn-based West Elm to locate a new furniture and home décor retail store at Breton Village. Interior build out on the 10,000 SF space will begin next month.

“West Elm beautifully complements the retail mix we’ve been developing at Breton Village and continues the transformation of this area as Grand Rapids’ fashion and specialty retail district,” said Scott Wierda, CWD managing partner and co-owner of Breton Village. “Breton Village is located in a mature and vibrant residential community where a diverse population has welcomed the strong mix of national specialty stores and fine local retailers.”

The Breton Village location will be West Elm’s first in West Michigan and second in Michigan; the other is located in downtown Birmingham. The store will be located in the newest building on the Breton Village complex and will offer home furniture and décor, including lighting, bedding and accessories, as well as a West Elm LOCAL collection featuring products from Michigan-based artists and designers. West Elm will join a host of new tenants that have opened in the Grand Rapids shopping center over the past few years including lululemon, Evereve, Ann Taylor LOFT, Anthropologie, Carol Roeda Studio, JB and Me, and Houlihan’s, along with long-standing premier fashion retailers Leigh’s and Fitzgerald’s.

“Many cities have recognizable fashion and specialty districts that serve as shopping destinations, not only for residents of the community, but for people throughout the region,” said Wierda. “That’s exactly what Breton Village has become, drawing customers from nearby neighborhoods and as far away as Traverse City and Kalamazoo.”

Wierda owns Breton Village with Jade Pig Ventures partner Brian DeVries. CWD Real Estate Investment serves as leasing and property manager for the approximately 220,000 SF complex at the corner of Breton and Burton, SE.

“A strong balance of great local and national tenants makes for a successful shopping center,” he said. “They know we have a commitment to architecture, excellent tenant mix, and our community, and this has helped foster a strong and loyal customer base throughout the region. We expect West Elm’s opening will only accelerate that trend, including a few additional tenant announcements we plan to make in the coming weeks.”

West Elm is one in a long string of “firsts” that CWD Real Estate Investment has brought to West Michigan. Other specialty retailers and restaurants that were new to the market when they signed on as CWD tenants include Cabela’s, Anthropologie, lululemon, Evereve, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Five Guys, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (opening Q1 2016), and Dave & Busters (opening May/June 2015).

West Elm is part of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. family of brands.

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CWD Real Estate Investment is the leading real estate investment and property management firm in Grand Rapids. Formed in 2008 by partners Sam Cummings, Scott Wierda, and Dan DeVos, CWD Real Estate Investment commits to strengthening the urban center and community of Grand Rapids by making strategic investments that provide high-quality places to live and work.

CONTACT: Amy LeFebre, Truscott Rossman • 616-726-7802