Centennial Retailers honored

Retailers of the Year honored

Two years ago, MRA began honoring retailers who have been in business for 100 years or more. The eight centennial retailers honored at this year’s luncheon were:

Martin’s Shoe House, Inc.
Monroe
Founded 1846
Service is still the number one priority at Martin’s Shoe House, Inc., which was founded by George Martin 146 years ago. The store is now in its sixth generation of family ownership under F. Gregory and Gabriel Martin.

Feige’s Interiors
Saginaw
Founded 1854
Engle Harot Feige started in the furniture business148 years ago. Although Feige’s has transitioned from manufacturing to retail sales and interior design, current owner Charles Pinkerton III has remained dedicated to the high level of customer service upon which the store was founded.

Hoekstra’s True Value Hardware
Kalamazoo
Founded 1867
Jurian and Lucy Hoekstra opened their shop as a general store 135 years ago. Building out from the original structure, current owners Phillip and James Ippel have grown Hoekstra’s from a general store to a hardware and small engine repair shop.

Golden Shoes, Inc.
Traverse City
Founded 1883
This family shoe store began as Friedrich Shoes, then changed to Golden-Friedrich Shoes in 1954 and finally evolved to Golden Shoes, Inc. in 1968. Current owner Willard Golden also owns Golden Shoes, Inc. in Petoskey and Leland.

Pomeroy Funeral Home, Inc.
Croswell
Founded 1890
Pomeroy Funeral Home, Inc. was founded in Croswell by Fred G. Pomeroy. The business, now in its third generation of family ownership under Gary Pomeroy, also operates funeral homes in Lexington and Carsonville.

Fairbairn & Sons
Alanson
Founded 1895
Founder Walter Wayne Fairbairn started out supplying tools and equipment for Michigan lumberjacks. His great-grandson, Thomas Fairbairn Jr., now sells hardware and is a plumbing and heating contractor.

Brown’s Pharmacy of Portland, Inc.
Founded 1901
While changing names four times during its existence, Brown’s Pharmacy has always occupied the same building. Current owners Jerrold and Judith Brown have maintained its history of quality, making it a staple in Portland as a trusted retail pharmacy and medical equipment shop.

Jesperson’s Restaurant and Pie Shoppe
Petoskey
Founded 1903
Barbara (Bobbe) Kroll is a third-generation owner of this renowned Petoskey eatery. Featured in such publications as Traverse Magazine and the New York Times, Jesperson’s has been serving high-quality food for 100 years.

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