A Holland, MI Icon Since the 1930s
If you’ve ever spent a summer in Holland, chances are you’ve wandered into the Ottawa Beach General Store. For generations, families have stopped in barefoot from the beach for ice cream, stocked up on groceries before heading back to their cottages, or picked out candy with wide-eyed kids in tow. It’s one of those places that feels woven into the rhythm of West Michigan summers. The Ottawa Beach General Store has been part of Holland’s story since the late 1930s, and for over 70 years, this little shop has been an iconic local landmark that locals and visitors alike appreciate.
So when the time came to remodel, we knew this was no ordinary project. Our goal was to refresh the building without losing the character people know and love.
As Project Manager Corey Vork put it:
“Growing up around here, the Ottawa Beach General Store has always been part of summer. To be able to work on it now and help get it ready for the next generation—that’s pretty special.”
Our team’s work at the Ottawa Beach General Store was recognized for its craftsmanship and community impact earning the 2025 Excellence in Construction Award in the painting category from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) West Michigan Chapter.
General Store 2.0: Preserving Charm, Building for the Future
By 2024, it was time to give the Ottawa Beach General Store a fresh start. The vision was clear: honor the past while preparing it for the future.
On paper, our role was straightforward—interior and exterior painting. But the real work was about finding the right balance. The building needed finishes tough enough for Michigan weather and the heavy foot traffic of summer visitors. At the same time, the colors had to feel welcoming and familiar, respecting the building’s long history without erasing it.
That’s the kind of challenge our crew loves. From prep work to final coats, we focused on one idea: new life, old charm.
Excellence in Construction: An Award That Honors Craftsmanship and Community
The Excellence in Construction Awards celebrate projects that demonstrate craftsmanship, collaboration, and community impact. For us, the Ottawa Beach General Store project checked all three:
- Craftsmanship: From surface prep to final finish, every detail was handled with care and precision.
- Collaboration: Working alongside First Companies who directed the project scope and vision, our team coordinated seamlessly to keep the project aligned with both design intent and community expectations.
- Community Impact: This wasn’t just a remodel—it was about protecting a place that means a lot to Holland families.
Superintendent Jon Rodriguez summed it up best:
“Every day we were out there, people walking by would stop and ask how it was going. You could tell how much the store means to Holland. That gave us extra motivation to do it right because it wasn’t just for the owners, it was for everybody who has a connection to the place.”
Looking Ahead
Today, the Ottawa Beach General Store feels both familiar and renewed. It’s still the place for candy, coffee, beach gear, and ice cream on the deck, but now it’s ready for decades of more visitors to enjoy.
For our team, this award is a reflection of what we value most: people, process, and pride in our work. The Ottawa Beach General Store stands as proof that when history and craftsmanship come together, the result is something that lasts.
We’re grateful to have been part of this iconic project and to see the store ready to serve the community for years to come.
We can talk about the details all day, but the best way to appreciate this project is to see it. View the Ottawa Beach General Store project gallery here.
