Along Main Street: 212 W. Main Street.

The Lowell Area Historical Museum is taking us on a stroll along Main Street and sharing the history of buildings in Lowell’s historic downtown. To learn more about Lowell history, visit the museum website to explore its collection of local artifacts and records.

Address: 212 W. Main (part of 216 W. Main)
Built: 1865-1867
1st business: Rix Robinson’s Grocery

This two-story center section of the block was built between 1865 and 1867 as a single building with five separate owners each with a storefront. This is the second store from the left.

Rix Robinson Grocery is the first known business. The fur trader Rix Robinson lived in Ada but had business dealings all over West Michigan including Lowell. He had three brothers and other family living in or near Lowell. The L. B. Lull and Co. Grocery followed in 1871. The Mitchell and Donovan grocery, 1877, and the Wingler Grocery, 1884, advertised that they operated in the Union Block so they may have been at this location. This store remained a grocery until 1893, when Ben Doyle’s Saloon opened here.

From 1908-1930, J. W. Rutherford and his wife operated The Bargain Store, which was a Bazaar or variety store featuring China, crockery, glassware, dry goods and novelties. They sold souvenirs of Lowell, Michigan. During the Homecoming celebrations of 1908, 1913, and 1926, this was the place for out-of-towners to get their souvenirs. T. A. Gazella purchased the variety store, 1930-36. This was the place to get souvenirs during Lowell’s Centennial Celebration in 1931.

In 1936, Haner’s Furniture Store sold furniture and appliances. He held “Hot Point Cooking School” cooking lessons for the Hot Point ranges which he sold. Ralph Townsend purchased the building in 1937 and moved Ralph’s Tire and Radio to this location. He later operated The House of Townsend, a furniture and appliance store here until 1983.

In November, 1958, fire damaged the store. After it was renovated, Rittenger Insurance moved from next door into a corner of the House of Townsend. This building became part of the Flat River Antique Mall in 1987. Currently it is Flat River Antique Emporium featuring antiques and vintage collectibles. The 2nd floor has been transformed into a condo.

Here’s what 212 W. Main Street — the second two-story building from the left — looked like in the past:

 

And here’s what it looks like today: