Gardner White Invests $5M to Expand into West Michigan

By The Furniture Times – Retail & Furniture Industry Desk

WEST MICHIGAN, USA — Michigan-based furniture and mattress retailer Gardner White Furniture Co. is making a bold strategic move into West Michigan with a planned investment of more than US $5 million to open three new furniture stores in the region later this year — marking the company’s first major expansion into this part of the state in its 113-year history.

The expansion, announced by corporate leadership and reported by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, includes new store locations in Kentwood, Portage, and Lansing, with the West Michigan presence reflecting growing demand and real estate opportunities in communities formerly served by Value City Furniture, which closed all its Michigan locations earlier this year after filing for bankruptcy.

Growth into West Michigan

Gardner White’s planned new stores represent a significant milestone for a company long centered in Southeast Michigan but now moving aggressively into broader state markets. The three new outlets will be situated at:

• 4375 28th Street SE, Kentwood — an 80,000-square-foot space with a history of furniture retail use, previously occupied by Art Van Furniture and later Value City, making it familiar territory for Michigan shoppers.
• 550 Ring Road, Portage — serving the Kalamazoo-area community with an expanded selection of home furnishings and mattresses.
• 8748 W. Saginaw Highway, Delta Township (near Lansing) — entering the state capital market with broad furniture offerings.

The stores are expected to open later this year, with CEO Rachel Stewart describing the expansion as an opportunity to leverage Gardner White’s strong reputation and fill a gap in the West Michigan furniture market. The company currently operates 21 stores throughout Michigan and remains family-owned and operated.

 Strategic Expansion & Market Opportunity

The expansion into West Michigan follows value shifts in the recovery of previously vacated store spaces from competitors like Value City Furniture — itself a successor to some former Art Van Furniture locations after that retailer’s 2020 bankruptcy.

Stewart told Crain’s that the company had been interested in West Michigan for “a long time,” and the availability of suitable large-format retail space — essential for showcasing a wide array of furniture, mattresses, and home décor — provided the right opportunity for investment. The Kentwood location, in particular, stands out for its size and layout, enabling Gardner White to offer a deep assortment of products that meet diverse customer needs.

This is part of a broader growth push for the company. Gardner White has announced plans to open nine new retail locations statewide this year, extending beyond these West Michigan stores to communities including Traverse City, Novi, Clinton Township, Chesterfield Township and Flint.

Company Profile & History

Founded in 1912, Gardner White has grown from a single family-owned furniture store into one of Michigan’s most enduring and well-recognized retail furniture brands. Over more than a century, it has expanded its presence throughout metropolitan Detroit, Ann Arbor and surrounding communities with a mix of full-line furniture stores and innovative retail concepts.

Recent initiatives include the launch of GW HOME, a new retail concept in downtown Detroit that blends furniture, décor, art, and accessories with local craftsmanship, reflecting a curated retail experience that goes beyond traditional furniture merchandising.

The company has also diversified into standalone mattress showrooms and continued a pattern of opening new stores in underserved markets throughout the state. This expansion underscores Gardner White’s confidence in its business model and the ongoing demand for in-store furniture retail experiences — particularly in a region where previous competitors exited the market.

Competitive & Economic Context

West Michigan has become a focal point for retailers eyeing growth opportunities outside traditional Southeast Michigan markets. Following the closure of regional furniture chains like Art Van and Value City, Gardner White’s entry into cities such as Kentwood and Portage is likely to reshape the competitive landscape, giving local shoppers broader access to furniture, mattresses and home décor under one roof.

The company’s confidence aligns with broader regional economic trends, with West Michigan communities growing in population and retail activity, bolstered by diversified industries and consumer demand for home products.

What This Means for Furniture Retail in Michigan

• Increased local choice: West Michigan furniture shoppers will gain access to a major Michigan-heritage retailer with a broad selection of products and services.
• Economic investment: More than USD 5 million in capital investment is expected to spur local jobs during pre-opening and operations.
• Market rebalancing: As competitors exited West Michigan, Gardner White’s new stores may fill the retail gap while reinforcing its position as a major independent furniture retailer in the U.S. Midwest.