A piece of Detroit history is vanishing as the city evolves in a new era with different types of businesses near downtown.
The 100-year-old Busy Bee Hardware store at the corner of Gratiot and Russell, at the mouth of Eastern Market, is selling its inventory and closing in July, reports Louis Aguilar of The Detroit News. A going out of business sign went up Tuesday.
Busy Bee Hardware (Facebook photo)
Third-generation owner, Richard Crabb, who owns the business with his sister Sandra Novak, says: “The property was sold for somewhere near” $2.6 million and the new owner plans to convert it to mixed use, such as stores, offices and residences. The site includes five adjacent buildings and a parking lot.
Crabb, 61, cites failing health and the changing nature of Eastern Market as reasons for the sale.
