Fricano's owner buys Hartshorn Centre in Muskegon

Feb 17, 2009
By Dave Alexander
Muskegon Chronicle

He's put his money where his heart is.

Fricano just completed the purchase of the Hartshorn Centre, 1050 W. Western. Fricano had been negotiating with owners George Bailey and the late John Bultema II for several years and could have backed out of the deal when the economy hit the skids at the end of 2008.

"We are succeeding here and could have easily lived out the term of my lease and lived happily ever after," said Fricano, who owns and operates Fricano's Muskegon Lake.

"But I am driven to succeed in downtown Muskegon," he said. "We built our restaurant in the days after Sept. 11 (2001). I think this time also is an opportunity."

Fricano has purchased the 60,000-square-foot, four-level commercial and office center on Muskegon Lake through a land contract with Bailey. Fifth Third Bank assisted in the deal, Fricano said.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

Bailey and his longtime business partner, Bultema, purchased and redeveloped what is the former Brenneman Roller Curtain factory. Bailey and Bultema have had various plans, including development of an upscale recreational vehicle park on the 12 acres surrounding the building.

Bultema died unexpectedly last year but the Fricano's negotiations continued with Bailey. Over the years, Bailey and Bultema invested $1.5 million in renovating the facility.

The Hartshorn Centre is home to Fricano's pizza and a series of offices. Fricano said the building is 70 percent leased.

One vacancy is a 10,000-square-foot street-level space once occupied by the Civic Development Group. The phone call center left Muskegon, leaving Fricano looking for another call center or turning the space into a banquet center.

"If we cannot find a call center soon, I think we will go with a banquet center project still in 2009," Fricano said. "We have 10,000 square feet with lake views that could serve 300 with a sit-down dinner or a gathering of 500."

The other offices can be leased in spaces from 700 to 2,500 square feet, Fricano said.

As for the exterior, he plans on some beautification this spring but has nothing in mind like a recreational vehicle park. The city of Muskegon and its Hartshorn Marina own the waterfront behind the Hartshorn Centre.

As for the restaurant business, Fricano said that his pizzeria -- fashioned after his family's historic recipes and outlet in Grand Haven -- is doing well. The business has grown every year, and even in January held its own in the midst of a sour economy.

"George and John have done a great job with this building," Fricano said. "I am going to be an active owner. I am motivated to succeed, but for me this is a big undertaking."