In the not too distant future, this retail location will look very different--502 W. Washington Street in Marquette is currently home to five different stores. Over the next six months, four of the stores will relocate to make way for an expansion of the Marquette Food Co-op.

Denise Bouschor owns the building, as well as two of the businesses on Washington, and has given the co-op their opportunity to expand. 

"Marquette is a society of small businesses, and we all kinda work together if we can," says Bouschor.

Denise Bouschor decided to downsize and relocate her own businesses in the building, but was determined to keep the building open for another local business. She knew the co-op was interested, so she contacted them last month, and after a few weeks a purchase was agreed to, but it's created some complications.

The move is causing some stress to the business owners, but not because of the move itself. They all want to communicate and emphasize to their customer base that their businesses are alive and well. John Conrad, owner and operator of Iron Bay Computer and Design, or IBC, voiced his concerns.

"The biggest thing about this whole situation is that the affected businesses in the building aren't going out of business. We're just moving," says Conrad. 

IBC will be moving a short distance away to 106 Coles Drive and will be ready for business by January 2. Northern Stationers of Marquette, Vintage Furniture and Crafts, and The Game Well will be moving by May 1. They, too, plan to remain in Marquette. The only store to remain at 502 Washington will be the Students First Bookstore.

As for the Marquette Food Co-op, it plans to open on Washington Street by 2013, after significant renovations.