Busy Bee Hardware sells building, will close business

One of the most recognizable buildings and long-standing businesses in Eastern Market will close soon. The Detroit News first reported that the Busy Bee Hardware store will close this July. They put a sign up on Tuesday saying they were having a going out of business sale.

According to the Detroit News, the store has been in the family for generations and is currently owned by brother and sister Richard Crabb and Sandra Novak, whose grandfather bought the store in 1917.

The purchase price isn’t being officially reported yet, but it’s “somewhere near $2.6 million.”

The properties include 1401-1417 Gratiot, plus a parking lot on Russell. The plan, according to both the Detroit News and Crain’s, could be a mixed-use destination of some kind.

Across the street, an influx of new businesses have set up shop along Gratiot. This is an incredible location close to downtown and with plenty of foot traffic from Eastern Market. There’s potential for big redevelopment. We do appreciate the old signage, though.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard