By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
The candy counter at the Springrove Variety Store is empty. About 10 of the shelves close to the cash register have items left with most of the store’s other shelves empty.
After more than 60 years, the five-and-dime store located on 36th Street just west of the corner of 36th and Clyde Park Avenue will officially close its doors in a couple of weeks.
“This has nothing to do with COVID or anything else,” said owner Mike Sprenger. “The landlord had put the building up for sale and I really don’t have a lease there.
“Plus it’s just time. I think us dime stores have kind of outlived our niche.”
A predecessor to the dollar stores, the five and dime — also called the five and ten, nickel or dime, and ten-cent stores — were known for offering a wide assortment of inexpensive items for personal and household use. Candy, toys, housewares, and notions were just some of those items.
“My first time coming here [was] in 1998 with my mother-in-law. I fell in love with all the thing I could create and have through the years. All the blankets and quilts made form supplies from your store. I am very sad to see you go. Truly the last quality store with friendly service. You will be severely missed. “- a customer wrote in a notebook filled with good-bye notes and well wishes.
“I grew up in the neighborhood,” wrote another customer in the book. “Often my mom would bring me here to spent $1.00 in the 1960s. I would walk up and down the isles to make a decision.”
Just as popular was the candy — especially the sea foam, which Sprenger said “We got that from Muskegon.” People would come from miles to get the sea foam candy, store employees noted.
Frank Woolworth is largely credited with founding the first American five-and-dime stores. After having had some success in Michigan and western New York with his nickel stores, where everything cost a nickel, Woolworth opened his Great Five Cent Store in Utica, New York, and then later opened the F. W. Woolworth Company. Woolworth ceased in 1997. There were others such as Kresge which became Kmart and Sam Walton, founder of War-Mart, started with the well-known Ben Franklin stores.
Sprenger began his career with the D&C Five-and-Dime store, founded by brothers James and Paul Dancer and their partner, Glen Cowan in 1926 in Stockbridge, Mich. The D&Cs expanded to include 54 stores at one point but by 1993, giant discount retailers had moved in and the D&C chain closed its stores.
After leaving D&C, Sprenger decided to continue in business, buying a few dime stores, one in Marysville near Port Huron, one in Owosso, and another in Lowell which had been operating as a five-and-dime store since 1926.
“I just loved that the dime store was such a part of the community,” Sprenger said. “It was fun to be with the people.”
“It turns into a mission and it really was a joy. We did not make a lot of money, but we’ve been blessed.”
That love was shared by many who left good-bye notes in that notebook just a few feet from the store’s entrance.
“My sister (Kathy) and I (Linda) have been coming here for years and we will so dearly miss and remember you all. We could find anything here. Thank you so much.” – Customers Kathy and Linda
“First came here in my teens. Now I’m in my 70s!!” – A Springrove customer.
Through its records, the Wyoming Historical Commission found that the then Suburban 5 & 10 was started in 1958 by Jack A. Bolhuis and Myrth Bolhuis, both of whom lived in Wyoming. The store was first located along 28th Street and by 1963, had moved to its current location along 36th Street, according to the Polk Directories. The directories also showed that the couple at onetime had a second location on Lake Michigan Drive. In the 1980s, Dale Elliott purchased the store and would sell it to Sprenger in 2008.
“At that time, the owner was looking to retire and was going to shut the store down,” Sprenger said adding that he loved the dime stores and just did not want to see the Wyoming store close.
“Now I am where the former owner was at and it’s time to just slow it down,” Sprenger said, adding with a laugh, “All of us mas and pas have become grandpas and grandmas.”
With the building for sale, Sprenger made the decision to close, letting employees know in January. The COVID-19 delayed the sales, but as soon as allowed, Springrove reopened in June with its closing sale. Within weeks, the store’s inventory had been considerably reduced. Many of the fixtures have been sold as well.
Sprenger agreed with the customers that it is sad to see the Wyoming store closed, ending an era for the Wyoming community. This August, he will start the process of closing the Lowell location. His other stores, the ones in Owosso and Marysville, will remain open for now.
“You will be missed,” wrote a customer. “This store has been big part of my childhood and then my kids. Best of luck and you will be in our prayers. Thanks for the years!!!”
