Former Dick’s Market building may turn into Ace Hardware store

The old Dick’s Market building inside the Hillside Mall on 142 Avenue in Dorr soon may have a tenant.

Matthew Janrog of Cedar Springs has been working extensively on securing financing to turn the site, abandoned in 2006 when Dick’s moved across the street, into an Ace Hardware store on the south side of 142nd east of the Dorr downtown.

Dorr Township Planning Commission officials said they anticipate Janrog to visit them for the Nov. 17 meeting to discuss a site plan.

Dorr has been without a hardware store since Four Seasons closed in 2010 downtown. Customers have to travel either to Wayland Do It Best Hardware or to the Byron Center Ace Hardware.

Janrog had 20 years of experience with the hardware department at a Meijer’s. He would like to start remodeling and refurbishing the interior before the start of next year. He has indicatd he would like to be open for business by March 2016.

Sources said John VanSingel of Byron Center, owner of the Hillside Mall, is helping Janrog with the project.

PHOTO: The vacant former site of Dick’s Market on the south side of 142nd Avenue east of downtown Dorr.