Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Widner.
Hi Andrew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Spirit of Kalamazoo opened in September of 2011 by Andrew and Kathleen Widner. This marked the completion of a one year planning process that was aided by the Small Business Development & Technology Center (SBDTC) at WMU and also the Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. Incubator program.
“We were impressed with the improvements we witnessed in Downtown Kalamazoo over the past 20 years. Downtown has gotten more venues, stores and restaurants and has really become a destination,” relayed Andy Widner. The Widners saved money for investment and decided to be a part of the positive things happening downtown. Andy has a finance background, having spent 20 years in the banking industry, and Kathleen has spent over 20 years in marketing and public relations. The last member of the team for opening the store was Martha Serafini, who added her artistic talents and retail experience to the group.
The Spirit of Kalamazoo’s goal is to provide an inviting venue where everyone is welcome to enjoy Plainwell Ice Cream year-round or to browse the wide selection of Kalamazoo and Michigan-themed products. “We have tried to make the store and patio visually interesting, while offering friendly service and unique products at fair prices,” said the Widners.
“Our greatest satisfaction in this store has been all the friends and customers that we have met while learning the ropes of a new business. We truly appreciate our community support and welcome comments and feedback. We know Downtown Kalamazoo has a lot to offer and gets better every day. We are excited to be a part of it.”
As business owners and community members, we feel strongly about the importance of a strong vibrant community that takes care of its own. Since opening the store in September 2011, The Spirit of Kalamazoo, in partnership with its generous customers, has donated more than $10,000 in cash, merchandise and services to local charities. We believe in giving back to groups or individuals that are in need. These organizations are chosen based on customer and staff input.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been some major challenges along the way. The pandemic was a nightmare for all small businesses and we were not immune to the impacts. We’ve spent the last several years trying to recover from those challenges. Kalamazoo has undergone major construction projects which have been hard to absorb while concurrently dealing with less people coming into the office and Amazon trucks bringing products to people at home.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are an ice cream and souvenir shop that proudly features locally themed products for both Kalamazoo and the state of Michigan. We try to ensure our store is lively and welcoming to all that open the door. I feel like we’ve created a visually interesting space that has products that will work for all types of budgets. Our customer service is a point of emphasis. People need to have an experience not a transaction.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
My wife and I run the business together and she’s the one there on a day to day basis. She’s done a great job at both running the operation as well as becoming very involved in local business leadership. Kathleen has become a very savvy business woman.
Pricing:
- We try to be price competitive as best we can and offer a range of products at various price points.
- Our ice cream is sourced locally (Plainwell Ice Cream) and is a family operation from Plainwell. It’s a local favorite.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spiritofkalamazoo.com
- Instagram: spiritofkalamazoo
