When people think of Michigan, some well-known companies come to mind, including Faygo, Gerber, Meijer, Kellogg, and Ford Motor Co.
As iconic as those companies are, there are many more that are a part of Michigan’s past. From massive department stores to grocers and restaurants to fun bookstores, and music shops, many bygone Michigan companies evoke feelings of nostalgia for Michiganders of a certain age.
Companies that formed in Michigan from humble beginnings rose into nationwide brands with instantly recognizable logos. While they might not be in existence any longer, they haven’t faded yet from Michiganders’ memories.
Kmart
Michiganders of a certain age remember the big red ‘K’ on the storefronts of Kmart stores throughout the state, including Super Kmart and Big Kmart centers.
The company that eventually became Kmart was founded in 1899 by S.S. Kresge and started as a five-and-dime store in Memphis in 1897. A second store was opened in Detroit in 1898. In 1916, Kresge incorporated a new company in Michigan; the forerunner of Kmart.