This photo shows how the library at 43 W. Cherry looked when they shared it with the fire station. Courtesy photo.

Still needs 200 boxes

By Judy Reed

An era will come to an end this weekend when the Cedar Springs Public Library, at the corner of Cherry and 2^nd Streets, closes its doors to get ready to move into a brand new location at the corner of N. Main and W. Maple Streets, near Cedar Creek.

According to The Cedar Springs Story, by Sue Harrison and Donna DeJonge, the first library was in the Congregational Church, at the corner of Beech and Second Streets. It was later torn down and Dr. J.H. Teusink later bought the property to build a home.

This photo shows a former librarian at 43 W. Cherry. Does anyone know who she is? Courtesy photo.

In 1936, plans were made to raise money for a new home for the library. The library was housed in two rooms in a building rented by the Cedar Springs Clipper. The Clipper moved in 1941, and it was necessary for the library to move to a new location. The Village gave permission for the library to use the old jail at 43 W. Cherry. The story goes that when Mae Hawkins, librarian at the time, was taken to the building and saw the two “gorilla cages” and damaged wainscoting, she immediately resigned. Officials talked her into staying until the building was improved.

Later the Library shared a building at the same location with the Cedar Springs Fire Department. The fire station had the west part of the building, and the library the east side, until a new fire barn was built in the late 1970s, or early 1980s.

This Saturday, April 22, will be the last day that the library at 43 W. Cherry will be open to the public. They will be open Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. After that, books can be dropped off in the drop box in front of the library until May 1.

The library staff will be packing to move the week of April 24, and plan to reopen in the new library on May 8, with a grand opening on May 13 from 2-5 p.m.

The library still needs 200 boxes 12×19 and 10x18x11.5 (like what copy paper reams come in). If you have boxes the library can use, just knock on door next week and drop off or leave outside in good weather.

(L to R) Dave Rinvelt, manager at The Car Center, and owner Bill Edwards. Co-owner Nick Edwards is not pictured.

The Car Center

Need a dependable company to repair your car after an accident? Need a windshield replaced or repaired? The Car Center, at 13399 White Creek, has you covered. Bill and Nick Edwards, owners of The Car Center in Greenville, opened up the Cedar Springs location in May, in the building formerly occupied by Cedar Body Shop.

The Car Center offers full service collision repair, and glass repair and replacement (on site or mobile).

“We have been serving the Greenville area for over 20 years, and are proud to now have a location so our customers can be serviced closer to home,” explained Bill. “We offer customer service unlike any competitor.”

He also noted that their technicians are the best in the industry. “Fixing cars is our job, but helping people is our business,” he said.

He said they hope to continue to grow and serve the Cedar Springs and surrounding areas.

They are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. Call (616) 696-1830.

Nikki and Company Hair Design, Inc.

If you would like to try somewhere new to get your hair or nails done, check out Nikki and Company Hair Design, Inc. Owner Nikki Twichell said they are now open in their new location at 171 W. Muskegon Street, near the White Pine Trail. They offer haircuts, hair color, balayage hair, ombre hair, foiling, waxing, shellac nails, and more.

Twichell said her salon is unique because they have a boutique inside the salon, and the experience and education of the stylists there give them an edge over the competition. Try them out for yourself! Open Tuesday through Saturday. Call (616) 696-3192 for an appointment or more information.