After 105 Years In Business, This Grand Rapids Business Is Closing Its Doors

After more than a century of serving the Grand Rapids community, Elliott's News, a beloved local newsstand, is closing its doors.

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The last day of operation for the shop, located in the McKay Tower along Monroe Center, will be Wednesday, according to shop owner Bill Bennett.

Elliott's News has a rich history that spans over 100 years. It was first established as a newsstand around a century ago and was taken over by Bennett approximately 53 years ago.

The shop initially offered a wide range of newspapers from across the country, including almost 70 Sunday editions. Over the years, the business evolved to meet changing customer needs, adding tobacco products to its offerings and becoming one of the first lottery retailers in the area.

The newsstand has moved several times within the downtown area, each move resulting in a slight uptick in business. In 2017, the business was forced to close its location at 50 Monroe Ave. due to extensive renovations. However, it reopened in the lobby of the McKay Tower, where it has been located since.

Despite the changes and challenges, Elliott's News remained a staple in downtown Grand Rapids.

Bennett expressed to Wood TV that the decision to close was difficult, but it was time for him to retire. He had hoped to sell the store to a buyer, but unfortunately, that did not work out.

The closure of Elliott's News marks the end of an era, and its absence will be felt by the many regular customers who have frequented the shop over the years.