DON'T MISS THE TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL - JULY 28-AUG. 3, 2008

BUSINESSES CALENDAR OF EVENTS DOWNTOWN AREA POINTS OF INTEREST LIBRARY OF ARTICLES MAP OF DOWNTOWN JUST FOR FUN COUPONS CONTACT US

History on West Front Street

Everywhere you look in downtown Traverse City, history is looking back at you. There is building at 803 West Front Street that has been beautifully renovated into a modern-day location. Unless you were here before that remodel was complete, you would never have guessed the story hidden inside its walls.

It started nearly 100 years ago in 1910 when a Bohemian man named Ferdinand Schall opened a small retail bakery on East Front Street. Ferdinand was similar to many of his Bohemian neighbors who came here from Czechoslovakia around the turn of the century.

Ferdinand operated Schall’s City Bakery in its East Front Street location until 1925, when he moved it to 803 West Front Street. At that time, he changed the store’s operation, as well as its location, to being only a wholesale bakery. Ferdinand’s son, Frederick recalls that he was about 14 when he began delivering their “Tasty” brand of bread all over Northwest Michigan, as far away as Petoskey, Cadillac and Leland. While he was delivering the bread, his brother Richard was inside the bakery helping their father make it.

Schall’s City Bakery was a profitable business that supported Ferdinand’s wife and six children for 36 years. Finally, in 1946, when he was ready to retire, he sold the business to his son Richard and his son-in-law Morton. They ran it together, operating the same way Ferdinand had for so long, until 1959 when Richard bought out Morton. Richard ran it for only three more years and then sold it in 1962 to Interstate Bakers (better known as Butternut Bread; they later relocated to Eighth and Woodmere).

At some point, Butternut sold the building to John V. Clark. During the time that the Clark family owned it, the building was used for many purposes, including an insurance agency, a wedding chapel, a tattoo parlor, residential rental, and a landscaping firm.

By the time Tom Taylor, the current owner, purchased the building from the Clark’s in 1998, Mike Niederpruen had been operating The Print Shop for three years. Of the businesses currently in the building, The Print Shop has been there the longest, operating even through the renovations. The Print Shop specializes in commercial printing, such as business cards, sales sheets, carbon-less forms and graphic design.

When Tom Taylor obtained the old building, it was in desperate need of repair. He spent a tremendous amount of time and money on the renovations, making it appealing to several new business owners. Sheffield’s Fine Furnishings opened in 1998, and has been there since, specializing in ultra fine, American-made hardwood furniture, wrought iron, tasteful accessories and elegant lighting for the home. Sheffield’s also features pottery and hand-blown glass from Vermont, cut glass Prairie vases, original fine art and turned wood by local artists.

In addition to The Print Shop and Sheffield’s, there are two other businesses in the building. One is 45th Parallel Reality, a real estate company who promises “unparalleled service, integrity and knowledge.” The seasoned agents can help you find any commercial, residential or vacant property you are looking to buy or sell. Finally, Ollar Consulting, owned by Dan Ollar, is an independent computer consulting firm whose focus is developing computer systems to meet their individual clients’ needs.

Currently, there is a fifth space available in the building measuring 1650 square feet for $17/square foot. It is completely updated and beautifully remodeled with several individual offices, a conference room and reception area. The building also has on-site parking. Call Tom Taylor if you are interested in renting the space. (231) 499-9271.

In talking with Frederick Schall, he recalls a very different time in Traverse City. Growing up in what was called “slab town” (because of all the lumber slabs laying around from Hannah & Lay’s lumber mill) was tough. He remembers hours of tennis at courts that were between Lil’Bo’s Bar and what is now the Bishop & Heintz building. Other businesses on West Front Street at the time included Walters & Hemming, Olson’s Grocery Store, Gilbert’s Gas Station and McAllister’s Drug Store, among others.

As you drive, walk and shop through downtown Traverse City, try to imagine what it must have been like to live here so long ago. How amazed the people of our past would be if they could walk through Traverse City today! The more I research and learn about Traverse City’s days as a young, growing town, the more I realize how rich in history the town and its buildings and people are.