For Immediate Release
July 25, 2005

The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) is searching for Michigan Centennial Retailers—retail businesses that have been in operation for 100 years or more.

As part of the 2005 Michigan Retailer of the Year Awards, MRA will recognize retail businesses that began in 1905 or before.

Since 2000, the first year of the program, 64 retailers have been honored.

"The oldest Michigan retailer we’ve discovered to date is Arms Brothers, a men’s clothing store in Milford, which was founded in 1836," said MRA Chairman and CEO Larry Meyer. "The Centennial Retailer program is a great way to highlight the remarkable resilience of these longtime businesses."

Michigan Centennial Retailers will be recognized at the Eighth Annual Michigan Retailer of the Year Awards luncheon to be held October 11 in Lansing. The awards honor Michigan retailers who make a significant positive impact in their communities through their support of civic, charitable and volunteer programs.

To notify MRA of a Michigan Centennial Retailer, contact MRA’s Retha Lachance at 800.366.3699 or rlachance@retailers.com. Nominations can also be submitted online through MRA’s website, www.retailers.com/eduandevents.html.

Submissions must be received by September 7. Eligible retailers will be contacted and asked to provide additional information about the history of their business.

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 5,800 retail business members operate more than 13,000 stores across the state.