Baron's Window Coverings to close after nearly 80 years in downtown Lansing

LANSING — Baron’s Window Coverings, a longtime, family-owned business on South Washington Square, will close its doors permanently in October.

The closure comes eight months after company president Don Baron died — and nearly 80 years after the business first opened in Lansing in 1944 in a space off West Allegan Street, offering custom draperies, linens and curtains. The business, which moved to 325 S. Washington Square in the mid-1960s, later expanded to offer window treatments for commercial properties as well.

"This is not a situation where the business was bad or struggling," Don Baron's son and current owner Neil Baron said. "It's just the timing. It seems right to move on if that makes sense. It was a great run and I guess all good things eventually come to an end."

Neil Baron said his father was still coming to work every day at age 82 when he was diagnosed with cancer in January. He died two weeks later.

"His presence is just everywhere in this business and it's just very tough," Neil Baron, 58, said.

Neil Baron's children aren't interested in continuing the business, he said, and it's simply time to close.

Three generations of business

Long before Neil Baron officially joined the family business, his childhood was filled with memories of Baron’s Window Coverings.

He'd visit the business in downtown often, where his father and grandfather, Herman Baron, the company's founder, shared an office.

"They both passed on an incredible work ethic," Neil Baron said. "They worked extremely long hours and emphasized taking care of customers. People obviously can get window treatments anywhere, but it's our service, as far as measuring and making suggestions. They know that we know the grade; then the installation, ensuring that the customers are happy."

Herman Baron got inventory from New York in the 1940s at a time when that was a challenge.

The business moved to downtown Lansing in 1965 and Don Baron took over leading operations in 1970. He expanded the business shortly afterward to service commercial clients, Neil Baron said. Today the business provides window treatments for apartments and offices throughout the country.

'I just feel it’s the right decision'

Don Baron loved the family business, Neil Baron said.

"He gave everyone his cellphone number and contractors loved working with him because they knew he would get the job done," he said.

The business, which occupies three adjacent storefronts, has had many repeat customers over the years, Neil Baron said. It also benefited from the hard work of many loyal employees.

"I have a core of longtime employees that are reaching retirement who I really appreciate," he said. "I really couldn't have done this without their support. I'm very grateful. I'm very grateful to the Lansing community for its support."

Foot traffic in the city's downtown has declined since 2020, but had nothing to do with the decision to close the business, Neil Baron said.

"There's a lot of legacy of being just a business that has been in downtown for so long. I just feel it’s the right decision," he said.

The business will remain open while it completes orders that have already been placed, Neil Baron said.

Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @GrecoatLSJ .

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This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Baron's Window Coverings to close after nearly 80 years in Lansing