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In the first seven years of the Michigan Centennial Retailers program, MRA turned up 80 retail establishments that have hit the century mark. This year’s efforts have produced another five.
The group of retailers joining the list includes two stores that feature Carhartt work clothes, as well as food retailers and a firm that makes and sells masonry.
This year’s Centennial Retailers were honored at the Michigan Retailer of the Year Awards luncheon on October 23 in Lansing. Each received a bronze plaque and a certificate.
Fritz’s Family Restaurant, Lounge & Catering
Richville – Founded ca. 1865
One of the oldest retail businesses in Michigan, Fritz’s began as a trading post back in 1865 in the town of Richville (called Frankenhilf back then). The trading post became a general store and was purchased in 1880 by E.C. Schultz.
When Fred Rausch purchased it in 1902, he changed the business into a hotel and tavern known as Fritz’s Corner Hotel. Rausch’s daughter and son-in-law, Fred and Maggie Schultz, became the next proprietors, adding a pool hall and surviving Prohibition by opening an ice cream parlor that was known among locals for its “home brew.”
Fred and Maggie’s daughter and son-in-law, Esther and Fred Diedrich, bought the business in the 1930s and changed the name to Fritz’s Tavern. Their son, Don, and his wife, Marlene, came on board in 1956 and are the current owners of the establishment now known as Fritz’s Family Restaurant.
Getz Department Store
Marquette – 1879
Getz Department Store was founded in the late 1800s by Louis Getz, a Russian who had immigrated in 1867. Mr. Getz established the original storefront in the city of Michigamme, about 45 miles west of Marquette.
After a catastrophic fire at the original store in 1885, Mr. Getz settled on a three-story building in downtown Marquette. The Getz family has carried on the legacy of their founder in providing the community with fine men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and home furnishings.
In 1997 the Getz family, together with store management, set out in a slightly new direction. By launching Getzs.com, the company turned its more than 100 years of experience in retail and customer service into a fully staffed e-commerce business that now serves over one million customers each year.
Norman Corporation
Bay City – 1895
Edward Weinberg founded his general store, Weinberg’s, in Prescott, a village halfway between Houghton Lake and Tawas City. Weinberg’s originally served the area’s lumber and farming communities.
In the 1950s the store was renamed Norman’s after Norm Firkser, who ran the business after World War I, opening other locations including a successful store in downtown West Branch. The business’s current owner is Norm’s grandson, Stanley Firkser, who opened a Bay City location in the 1960s.
As the business grew it became known as the Norman Corporation, based in Bay City and selling outdoor apparel and work wear at its current six locations: Bay City, East Tawas, Gaylord, Sebewaing, Bad Axe and Standish. Its flagship store in Gaylord is easily seen by travelers on I-75.
Herman’s Boy Inc.
Rockford – Founded 1901
The Coffee Ranch was founded in 1901 in Grand Rapids. In 1982 it was acquired by Floyd and Sharon Havemeier, who added it to their existing business, The Melting Pot, a bakery and deli specializing in bagels, cheeses, sausages and coffee.
Since then, the family has acquired or opened other gourmet food businesses, including O’Fudge (a Mackinac-style fudge shop), The Cookery Nook (gourmet cookware and gadgets) and The Outdoor Cook (grills and related products). This family of businesses is now known as Herman’s Boy.
Everything is still done by hand, by the family, on the premises of the 100-year-old farmhouse in Rockford that houses all the businesses and attracts visitors to watch the production of these treats. It’s still a family business, with all four of Floyd and Sharon’s children and grandchildren joining the business.
Van Poppelen Brothers, Inc.
Bay City – Founded 1904
Van Poppelen Bros., Inc. has been producing concrete masonry units since 1904. Its founder, John Van Poppelen, started Van Poppelen Coal Co. and was soon joined by his brother Arthur and partner George Munley.
Originally sellers of coal and wood, the Van Poppelen brothers turned to the business of making and selling concrete masonry for local builders. Over time, their business has grown, so that Van Poppelen masonry is found in buildings around the U.S.
The current owners span three generations: Patrick J. Van Poppelen I—the founder’s great great nephew—his son, Mark P. Van Poppelen, and Mark’s children, Patrick J. Van Poppelen II, Marcus R. Van Poppelen, and Karlie Van Poppelen, who are fifth-generation owners. |
