GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Downtown Grand Rapids has a brand new storefront that's bringing both merchandise and music to the Heartside neighborhood.
Brandon Copeland is putting what he loves into his new store, Grammotones. He's been a musician ever since high school, and plays six instruments.
"This neighborhood, specifically Heartside was where, like, my creative journey started," says Copeland.
More than a decade ago, he played live shows across the street from where Grammotones now stands. Now, he's using music to bring people back to his favorite part of town.
"This side of Division, there's not a lot of shops or storefronts that are open," he says.
That's why he chose to open his own, getting people to Heartside, a part of Grand Rapids he describes as beautiful.
"I want people to have fun," says Copeland. "I want people to have fun in the shopping experience."
The shop sells upcycled clothes from local designers and artists, but that's not all. In the back of the store is a small recording studio, allowing Copeland to help local musicians share their talent.
"We wanted a space where you can actually make records and sell the merch and the retail," he says.
All of it tying together to share what's in Copeland's heart with Heartside.
"It's not just buying clothes," he says. "It's buying clothes, having a culture where you can kind of hang out, listen to great music."
Grammotones is located at 120 South Division Avenue. It's open Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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