Funk & Gruven A to Z
Stories of Downtown
Funk & Gruven A to Z – Michael Malachowski
When visiting the businesses of Downtown Belleville you get to take in the beautiful facade of the store front, discover unique local and international products and dine on delicious food. You may catch a glimpse of the owner as they whiz by, the life of a small business owner is hectic – They want to engage with the customer though they also must be the boss, the marketing expert, the cleaner, the server, the accountant and that could be all before noon! We want to give those business owners an opportunity to slow down for a moment and share their stories. Because behind each storefront are people who had a dream and put in a whole lot of work to make it come to life. These are some of the stories of Downtown Belleville.
As you walk through downtown and look at the traditional brick and mortar of the 1800s, you can appreciate the significance of conserving its history and celebrating its beauty. That is how Michael Malachowski, owner of Funk & Gruven A to Z felt back in 1998 and still to this day! Michael and his business have been in downtown for almost 30 years now, situated at 52 Bridge Street East. You may be familiar with its beautiful window displays and charming facade, but did you know that within those sturdy walls there is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered? After spending many years shopping, scouring, going to multiple auctions daily, driving hundreds of thousands of kilometres collecting unique pieces- Michael has acquired a collection of antiquities that you just won’t find anywhere else!
When chatting with Michael about his business he recalls his excitement when finding the location. He had previously worked in organic waste recycling and was searching for just the right spot to settle down and start his new passion project- his own business! He was coming from Picton and took his time looking at town after town for the place that checked all his boxes. When it came to Downtown Belleville he decided with its affordable price and wonderful location right next to Paul Dinkle’s restaurant that this was the place Funk and Gruven A to Z could flourish. “It is important to take into consideration who your neighbours are. I saw what Paul Dinkel had been doing and was very impressed. The revitalization of the downtown has been wonderful and I knew it had such potential.” said Michael.
At Funk and Gruven A to Z you can find right now many styles such as Danish, mid century, modern and art deco. All are quality items from Persian rugs, antique chairs, collectible art to eye-catching light fixtures and more! Mike says the key to how he has been able to successfully run his business for so many years has a lot to do with mindset, “80% of success is showing up, showing up for yourself, being creative and making use of your surroundings. Gather ideas and influence from the people doing it right, that is the best way to set yourself up for success in business.” He also explains that as time goes on you must be able to pivot, understand what is happening in the world around you and react to what your customer needs. For instance now Funk and Gruven A to Z is open Friday to Monday and also by appointment because he says that these were the most convenient times for his clientele. He also noted that with the changing economic landscape how furniture functions has changed, people have less space and disposable income. They need their items to work for them and their needs. Because of this Funk and Gruven A to Z is truly a perfect place to find those one of a kind items for your home, and we are so happy to have Michael as a staple of Downtown!
It was wonderful getting the chance to speak to Michael and learn more about one of the most beautiful businesses in Downtown Belleville. Before we left we had to ask one last tough question, which is his favourite cafe/restaurant downtown? “Well I must say my dear friend and neighbour Mr. Paul Dinkle’s of course!” Michael replied enthusiastically. Keep following along for our next Story of Downtown!
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Funded by Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board
