By D.A. Reed
WKTV Contributor
Kate Kemperman, granddaughter of New York Yankees baseball player and Grand Rapids native Wally Pipp, recently gained ownership of Vintage + More, LLC in Kentwood.
Though Kate Kemperman’s ownership of Vintage + More is new, Kemperman’s family has deep roots in West Michigan.
Walter Clement Pipp (Wally) was born on February 17, 1893 in Chicago, but at only 2 years old, moved to Grand Rapids with his family in 1895.
A student at Catholic Central High School, Pipp played baseball for several Grand Rapids leagues because “they didn’t have a baseball team at Catholic Central when my grandfather was there,” Kemperman explained.
Pipp played a few games with the Detroit Tigers in 1913, but his rights were sold to the Yankees in 1915 where Pipp became New York’s starting first baseman.
Pipp led American League in homers for two years
Leading the American League in home runs in 1916 and 1917 (12 and 9, respectively), Pipp was one of the AL’s top power hitters throughout his career, driving in over 100 runs in each of the following years: 1921, 1923 and 1924.
Pipp played in three World Series and helped lead the Yankees to victory against the New York Giants in the 1923 World Series beside Babe Ruth (also Pipp’s roommate and friend), Bob Meusel, Joe Dugan, and Waite Hoyt.
Though her grandfather passed away in 1965 when Kemperman was three years old, she loved hearing stories about Pipp from her father and other people who knew him.
“My grandpa had a presence to him,” Kemperman said.
15 years in the Major Leagues
After playing 15 years in the Major Leagues, Pipp retired at age 35 with a .281 career batting average, 90 home runs, and 1,004 RBIs.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Catholic Central High School a few years ago – the first person to hold that honor without having played for a Catholic Central team – and is a 1972 inductee into the Grand Rapids Hall of Fame.
Enter Lou Gehrig
During a game in 1925, Yankees legend Lou Gehrig filled in for Pipp who was out of the lineup with a headache. Gehrig would then run a streak of 2,130 consecutive games, a record that would last for 56 years, until Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. broke it. Ripken Jr. still holds the record of 2,632 consecutive games played.
Generational residence
Kemperman was raised in Grand Rapids, following in her grandfather’s footsteps by attending Catholic Central with her five siblings, and chose to raise her own family in the same area, purchasing a house in her childhood neighborhood with her husband Mark where they raised their two daughters.
A vendor at Vintage + More for the past three years, Kemperman took over the store when previous owner Shelley Cappiello retired.
“It was the perfect opportunity because I was kind of thinking about it, and so was Shelley,” Kemperman said.
Offering an eclectic mix of farmhouse style furniture, home decor, jewelry, clothes and more, Vintage + More was exactly what Kemperman was looking for as she began a new phase in life.
After 35 years of owning her own catering business, Katie’s Cuisine, Kemperman said that “I began thinking the last year or so that maybe I want to do something a little different.”
With costs rising due to inflation, “people are looking at recession,” Kemperman explained. “And I thought this would be a great shop for recession. The prices are so good, and people are looking to buy local, buy secondhand, or little things that are handmade.”
Something for everyone, plus a store greeter
Vintage + More customers are often greeted at the door by Natalie, Kemperman’s 15-year-old dachshund. Natalie wanders the store freely and is quite amenable to attention, though she often chooses to stay by Kemperman’s side.
“She’s pretty attached,” Kemperman said about Natalie. “I’ve had her for a long time. She does great here and the customers love her.”
Visitors to Vintage + More also will find a “shop within a shop.” Kate’s Eclectic Fashions, Kemperman’s previous foray into becoming a vendor at the store, is still going strong. Consisting of 27 consigners, the clothing and accessories portion of Vintage + More can be found at the front of the store.
The rest of the shop is comprised of 26 vendors, and Kemperman ensures that each vendor has their own unique style or content to offer.
“We try not to compete with each other,” Kemperman said. “Vendors have their own little niche — which makes shopping all the better.”
Giving back
Though Kemperman lost her husband in 2014 after a short battle with cancer, her future remains in West Michigan as she looks to give back as much as she has received.
As Kemperman takes the reins of Vintage + More, she has already begun serving her community by offering more than just a shopping venue.
Raising money for local causes is high on Kemperman’s to-do list. Snuffle mats for dogs can be found near the front of Vintage + More, with all proceeds going to the Kent County Animal Shelter, and Kemperman is currently looking for another cause to support with the store as well.
All about the people
Kemperman’s favorite part of owning Vintage + More is the people.
“I love hearing stories from the people,” Kemperman said. “I love hearing about why they’re buying something. I love to help them as they look for certain items.”
Special events also are being integrated into the shop’s calendar, offering customers even more opportunities to shop and mingle with other community members. Upcoming events can be found on the Vintage + More Facebook and Instagram social media pages.
“It’s a welcoming store,” Kemperman continued. “There’s always a cup of coffee waiting for you if you want it. The vendors are friendly, and they put their heart into everything they make.”
Vintage + More is currently open to taking a few new vendors for furniture and home goods, and entrepreneurs of all ages are welcome to join the store’s waiting list if space is not immediately available.
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
