Six more retailers join MRA’s list of CentennialsThe first four years of MRA’s Centennial Retailers
program turned up 58 retail establishments that have hit the century mark.
This year’s efforts have produced another six. “Only 3 percent of all businesses manage to survive
to the fourth-generation of family ownership,” said MRA Chairman
and CEO Larry Meyer. “Among this year’s Centennial retailers,
such an achievement is commonplace and deserves both recognition and admiration.” This year’s Centennial Retailers were honored at
the Michigan Retailer of the Year Awards luncheon on October 12 in Lansing.
Each received a bronze plaque and a certificate. Emcee Adela Uchida, of Lansing’s WILX Channel 10
News, called achieving the 100-year mark “a tribute to the work—and
the lumber—that went into building Michigan’s small towns.” “Four of this year’s centennials provided their communities with the materials and tools needed to build homes; one supplied furniture to make those homes comfortable, and another kept everyone happy with candy, treats and refreshments during all that hard work,” said Uchida.
Daniel Orr Sons Hardware Daniel Orr Sons Hardware is indeed a family business. Five generations of Orrs have worked in the North Branch store that was founded in 1875 by Daniel Orr. In 1907 the hardware store moved into its “new” location, and it’s been there for the past 97 years. It is currently owned by the founder’s grandson, L. Preston Orr (pictured in photo), and great-grandchildren William D. Orr, Thomas J. Orr, Scott P. Orr and Lucinda Orr Mitchell. Today, the founder’s great-great-grandchildren are active in the business as well.
Walker Furniture, Inc. When Eli Mallett and his son-in-law, Frank S. Walker, a Civil War veteran, opened Mallet & Walker, their business was both a furniture store and a funeral home, like many furniture stores that sprung up after the Civil War. Mallet & Walker did both lines of work until 1965. Frank Walker later passed it on to his youngest son, Louis. Frank’s grandson, David Walker, currently owns the store with his wife, Nancy. Their original storefront was on the waterfront in St. Ignace for 91 years before the business moved to its current location on the same downtown street 34 years ago.
Krzyske Brothers Company, Inc. Krzyske Brothers Company spans four generations. Its current owners consist of six Kryskes or former Kryskes, all descendents of the business’s original founder, Ludwig Krzyske. Ludwig opened for business in 1891 in Waltz, a small town situated between Detroit and Monroe, selling lumber, hardware and building supplies. Co-owners Elden Krsyske, Donna Butcher and Mildred Geierman are Ludwig’s grandchildren, and co-owners Wynn, Kent and John Krzyske are his great-grandchildren.
Donckers Candies & Gifts When Fred Donckers opened his store in downtown Marquette, he sold tobacco, candy, popcorn, peanuts and fresh fruit. In 1909 “Fred Donckers & Sons” moved into its current downtown storefront, and over the years it has become a perennial local favorite. From the 1930s all the way until 1969, Donckers’ soda fountain was a popular gathering spot. Donckers is best known for its homemade fudge. Son Frank took over when his father retired, then in turn passed it on to his sons, Fred and Frank. Fred became sole owner in 1990.
Lovewell’s Corner Store Originally a lumber and camp supply “trading post,” the business founded by Frank Lovewell has gone through many changes over the years. Whether it was lumber, ice, maple syrup or even boats, Lovewell’s managed to stock what people needed. For a brief period in the 1940s it tried its hand with a tavern, and then a “beer garden.” Neither of those lasted long, but the store never lost its tradition of providing the customers what they wanted. Connie and Henry Stasiak are the fourth generation of Lovewells to own and operate the store.
Moore & Carter Lumber Co. Allyn Moore, Algie Moore and Peter Carter, Sr., began Moore & Carter Lumber Co. in Sandusky. The lumber and building supply business thrived, and they branched out to other locations—at one time Moore and Carter had stores in the small towns of Croswell, Yale, Snover, Peck and Lexington. The Croswell, Sandusky and Yale locations continue today, owned and operated by the Moore grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including Dick Parr and his son, Rick (pictured in photo).
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