Joe Schroeder owns Carson’s Christmas Corner in Grand Rapids.
J.D. Pooley | Sentinel-Tribune
GRAND RAPIDS — Some like to celebrate the holidays with the volume of their Christmas decorations, but Carson’s Christmas Corner has their eye set on the new and unusual.
If you are looking for a curling stone ornament, a school bus, a fisherman hauling out a walleye or Sen. Bernie Sanders wrapped in winter wear and Christmas lights, Carson’s Christmas Corner has all of those, plus many Santas, Grinches and other more typical subjects.
Carson’s Christmas Corner officially opened on Sept. 4.
Owners Joe Schroeder and Stephanie Ringler have been selling Christmas ornaments for years, but this summer they began to think about the holiday in a much bigger way — nearly six times bigger. The new location expanded the size of their year-round Christmas business from 225 square feet, next to their candy counter, to a 1,400 square foot standalone downtown Grand Rapids building at the corner of Beaver Street and Ohio 65.
“We completely started from scratch, with painting and remodeling,” Schroeder said. “The expansion also allowed us to expand Grandma’s Pantry.”
Each room of the house has its own feel.
Their premier brand is Old World Christmas blown glass ornaments and the ginger cottage ornaments, which includes a gift box and ornament hook.
“We wanted more Old World Christmas ornaments and we wanted more nativities and just the opportunity for more Christmas, year round,” Schroeder said. “They are really fun, because every year they take suggestions for new ornaments.”
In 2020 they created Santa, with a mask, then in 2021 it was vaccinated Santa.
“Then in 2022 it was Santa Revealed, with his face mask coming off, because everything is better. Then there’s “Where’s Bernie?” from the inauguration. We try to keep it to hobbies, and because it’s Grand Rapids, there are the boats, kayaks and campers. There are also fun foods, like morel mushrooms, pizza and even a bottle of tequila,” Schroeder said.
He said sports are always popular. Rugby has been big, with the championship teams from Bowling Green State University. Pickleball has also been an increasingly popular ornament.
As much as possible they also try to sell brands manufactured, or based, in the United States, with some from Ohio.
Many of their ornaments can be purchased on their website, but Schroeder recommended making the trip to the store, to see their beauty in person.
Schroeder and Ringler already had four business in Grand Rapids, with the first started 22 years ago. They are the Just For You Shoppe, the Village Orchard, Grandma’s Pantry and the Dam Gift Shop. Carson’s Christmas Corner is a play on the words at the top of the old Carson’s building, which the business partners now called The Shoppes at Carson Block. The Carson’s nameplate is still at the top of the original 1920s-era building.
“It’s The Carson’s Christmas Corner, on the corner, around the corner. It was a fun play on words,” Schroeder said of their newest business name.
They had been using a garage on the property as storage for years. When the owners said they were planning to sell the house-turned-office building, Schroeder and Ringler were not initially interested, but the idea grew on them.
“Instead of keeping things stored away, now they are out there and on the shelf,” Schroeder said.
They have been buying Christmas ornaments year-round, but having to rotate stock. They add stock almost every day, especially this time of year. Now their customers can see it. Schroeder said that it has been welcome, particularly by customers that may only stop by once a year.
Carson’s Christmas Corner is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
