News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Gwen Paradowski, the new owner of Traveling Ladders in downtown Alpena, organizes some merchandise at the store on Thursday.

ALPENA — Traveling Ladders has been a staple of downtown Alpena for decades, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Rita and Al Hess.

Last month, the longtime business owners decided to retire and turned the keys to the store over to Gwen Paradowski, who purchased the shop.

Paradowski said she has no plans to undo any of the work the prior owners did and pledged to keep the store’s name, products, and vibe the same.

Paradowski, who has a cottage in Grand Lake but still has a home in Northville, said she has loved the building since she was a child. When she learned the store was for sale in a Facebook post, she sprang into action to try to acquire it.

“Just before I saw the post that it was for sale, I was talking to my mom about opening a business and figuring out what is the next stage for us and what my next chapter will be,” she said. “She asked what kind of business and I said I would like Rita’s store, and, 24 hours later, I saw the post and I thought this is an opportunity I can’t pass up.”

Paradowski said that, although the store won’t change much, some artwork could be incorporated into the store.

“The store will still have a lot of the same looks that people expect, but I’m expecting to include more art as time goes on,” she said. “I’m an artist by background, so I would like to have my work in the gallery, but also other artists, as well.”

Paradowski said that, because of her art background, she appreciates the effort by local officials to incorporate art downtown, because it sets a good mood and vibe.

“It is incredibly important, not only for tourists, but for the community to appreciate,” Paradowski said. “I think Alpena has done a great job and, every year, it seems there is an improvement in bringing in new murals, more attractions to the art community, and I just want to help continue that and be a part of that.”

Paradowski said she is beginning to settle into her new role as a business owner, but she added the Hesses have been critical in helping her adjust and she has benefited from their wealth of knowledge.

“Rita has helped me walk through the procedures and what to do, so I wasn’t alone,” she said. “They made it possible so that we could open right away. If they hadn’t, we would have had to close and figure stuff out on our own. They have been so welcoming and helpful. The whole thing is just really exciting for us.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.