November 9, 2000
LANSING -- The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) today recognized 16 Michigan Centennial Retailers -- retail businesses that have been in operation for 100 years or more.
"As we close out the 20th century, it's fitting that we highlight the remarkable staying power of these Michigan retail businesses," said Larry Meyer, MRA's CEO. "These century-old businesses are a significant part of our state's history, as well as its present and future."
Hale's Department Store in South Haven, founded in 1855 by Marshall Hale, was the oldest business honored. The honorees include third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation family-owned companies, as well as Troy-based Kmart Corp., the nation's sixth-largest retailer.
The full list of Michigan Centennial Retailers honored this year is found below.
Recipients were recognized today at the Third Annual Michigan Retailer of the Year Awards luncheon, held at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing. Each Centennial Retailer received a bronze building plaque and a certificate.
The year 2000 marks the first time MRA has honored Centennial Retailers for their enduring contributions to Michigan's communities. The program was the idea of MRA members Jim and Fayenne Storrer, owners of 109-year-old Storrer's Clothing in Owosso.
The Association plans to present awards annually to additional Centennial Retailers. To notify MRA of a retailer that has been in business for 100 years or more, contact Retha Lachance at 800.366.3699 or rlachance@retailers.com.
The Michigan Retailers Association is the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation's largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers. MRA's more than 5,500 retail business members operate more than 12,000 stores across the state.
Hale's Department Store (clothing)
South Haven
Founded in 1855 by Marshall Hale
Owner: George Hale
Winglemire Furniture
Holly
Founded in 1858 by Joseph Winglemire
Owner: Donald Winglemire
Kositchek's (menswear)
Lansing
Founded in 1865 by Henry Kositchek
Owner: David Kositchek
Keep & Martinson, Inc. (lumber)
Tekonsha
Founded in 1875 by Edward Keep
Owners: Gale and Judy Jenkins
Bahle's of Suttons Bay (men's and women's clothing)
Suttons Bay
Founded in 1876 by Lars Bahle
Owners: Lois, Robert, Richard, Karl and Chris Bahle
The Yale Expositor (newspaper)
Yale
Founded in 1882 by James Menzies
Owners: Arthur and Bonnie Brown
Reusch Jewelers
Cheboygan
Founded in 1885 by Jacob Reusch
Owners: Vance and Sandy Reusch
Siegel Jewelers, Inc.
Grand Rapids
Founded in 1889 by Joseph Siegel
Owners: Jim and Joel Siegel
Storrer's Clothing (menswear)
Owosso
Founded in 1891 by Frederick Storrer
Owners: James and Fayenne Storrer
Dittrich Furs
Detroit
Founded in 1893 by Emil Dittrich
Owners: Harold, Jason and Shawn Dittrich
Henry the Hatter, Inc.
Detroit
Founded in 1893 by Henry Komrofsky
Owner: Paul Wasserman
Mosher's Jewelers, Inc.
Port Huron
Founded in 1898 by Clarence Mosher
Owners: William Mosher and Emily Mosher Wallace
Heide's Flowers & Gifts, Inc.
Plymouth
Founded in 1899 by Carl Heide
Owner: Steve Mansfield
Kmart Corporation
Troy
Founded in 1899 by S.S. Kresge
Publicly owned company
Fris Office Outfitters, Inc./ Fris Hallmark Shops
Holland
Founded in 1900 by Lambertus Fris
Owners: Jacob Fris, J Fris and John Fris
Hickey's Walton Pierce (women's clothing)
Grosse Pointe
Founded in 1900 by Edward Hickey
Owners: William and Mary Jo Huntington