Witmark
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| Former type | catalog showroom |
|---|---|
| Fate | Liquidation |
| Founded | 1969 (Grand Rapids) |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Area served | western Michigan |
| Industry | Retail |
| Products | Jewelry, electronics, sporting goods, furniture, beauty products, housewares, toys. |
| Website | None |
Witmark was a catalog showroom and jewelry/electronics chain that operated in West Michigan from 1969 to 1997. The chain was founded by Paul Leven.
Over its nearly 30 year history, Witmark dominated the jewelry market with an average of a 34% market share. The organization made it a point to cement close ties with the communities the stores served.
By the early 1990s, Witmark's earnings began to decrease due to continued involvement in unprofitable categories outside of jewelry. Big box stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Toys "R" Us, Dick's Sporting Goods, and MC Sports captured the electronics, toy, and sports markets respectively and more effectively than Witmark could.
In 1996, Witmark experienced its fourth consecutive year of declining sales and earnings, and the company announced changes to its operating strategy. Unfortunately, vast barriers—such as long-term leases on real estate—limited the company's ability to adapt to the changing business climate. The following year, Witmark liquidated its assets and laid off its 700+ employees. Like the larger national chains of catalog showrooms (such as Best Merchandising), the retail concept collapsed in the late 1990s due to overwhelming competition from big box stores and Internet shopping.
[edit] Former locations
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- Battle Creek - Witmark Dr. Now ABC Warehouse
- Grand Rapids - Centerpointe Mall - now Modern Skate & Surf
- Grand Rapids - 28th st. and Eastern Ave. - now Save-A-Lot Food Store
- Grand Rapids - Alpine Ave. Green Orchard Shopping Center
- Grand Rapids - Plainfield Ave.
- Grandville - Grand Village Mall - the store was renivated to become a health club called USA Sportsplex, which sold in December 1999 to become the Visser Family YMCA
- Holland - 661 E 24th Street - building since divided into a resale shop and Chinese Buffet.
- Kalamazoo
- Muskegon - 1935 E. Laketon - now Midwest Spring & Stamping Co.
- Muskegon - Sherman Ave. @ Henry St.- Now Big Lots
- Muskegon - Lakeshore Marketplace - Now Hobby Lobby
- Portage - 6601 S. Westnedge - now Michaels
- Traverse City - S. Airport Rd. at US-31 - now MC Sports
