It's not hard to find LookInTheAttic these days, especially now that the downtown Ypsilanti-based firm has been named one of the Edward Lowe Foundation's Michigan 50 Companies to Watch.

It's easy to see why when you look at the company's year-to-year growth. Steady success has allowed the eight-person firm to add one more person to its staff and open yet another position. It hopes to create yet another job later this year, as the company continues on its growth track.

"We're consistently seeing 20-30 percent growth every year, even in this recession," says John Coleman, president of LookInTheAttic.

The store specializes in selling antique reproduction hardware and housewares both at its storefront and online. Although the store is based out of a historic storefront in downtown, most of its sales (about 85 percent) are from online purchases. That percentage of business inspired the owners to start Silver & Gold, an online jewelry store.

Coleman didn't decided to open up in downtown Ypsilanti because of what it could be but because of what it is today.

"The building prices are right," Coleman says. "It gives us a billboard on Michigan Avenue and a nice place to work."

Source: John Coleman, president of LookInTheAttic
Writer: Jon Zemke