For Immediate Release

October 23, 2007

LANSING — Five retail businesses in operation for 100 years or more were honored by Michigan’s retail industry during its Retailer of the Year Awards luncheon on October 23 in Lansing.

Recognized as a Michigan Centennial Retailer, and joining 80 others honored since the program was established by the Michigan Retailers Association in 2000, are:

• Fritz’s Family Restaurant, Lounge & Catering, Richville – Founded ca. 1865
• Getz Department Store, Marquette – Founded 1879
• Norman Corporation, Bay City – Founded 1895
• Herman’s Boy, Inc., Rockford – Founded 1901
• Van Poppelen Bros. Inc., Bay City  – Founded 1906

“Retail businesses that last 100 years aren’t lucky or simply good—they’re exceptional. They demonstrate excellent customer and community service and deserve statewide recognition,” said Larry Meyer, chairman and CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association. 

The Michigan Retailers Association is the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation’s largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers. MRA’s nearly 5,500 retail business members operate more than 12,000 stores across the state.