(Chelsea Update would like to thank D & B Strategic Marketing for the information in this story.)
Small town stores define the best in customer service: friendly, personal, knowledgeable, helpful, and willing to go above and beyond. A couple of #shopchelseamich members have provided a little more insight into who they are and why they chose the path of Independent Business Owner.
It is important to note that Chelsea is open during this sensitive time, and stores are implementing and following all CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
Laura Scriven, owner of Culture Creations on Main Street, started with an online business similar to her current store, showcasing traditional items from around the world. At the same time, Scriven was thinking about moving back to Chelsea from Korea, Kevin Frahm was getting ready to retire from Global Marketplace, and taking over his space seemed to be a perfect match to share her love for travel and art from around the world. Culture Creations inventory is handpicked by Scriven from artists and small businesses in the country of origin. The relationships she has developed have provided for a continuous flow of inventory at a time when in-person buying has been curtailed.
One of Chelsea’s most enduring and endearing businesses is Merkel Furniture and Carpet One. The story began in 1912 when Martin Merkel built a large brick building on the southern end of downtown Chelsea. He sold the property to his son, Ferdinand, in 1924. ‘Ferd’ had expressed a great interest in starting his own hardware business in downtown Chelsea and in 1930, Ferd’s younger brother, Norbert ‘Norb’ Merkel, joined as a partner. The Merkel Brothers family business was born, selling hardware, flooring, and furniture to the citizens of Chelsea and surrounding areas.
In 1953, Ferd’s son, Jack, and his younger brother Bob Merkel came home from the service and settled in Chelsea. Jack began working at the store, focusing primarily on the flooring department. Bob Merkel had a more artistic inclination and put a stronger emphasis on the furnishing and interior design aspect of Merkel Brothers. In the mid-1960s, Jack and Bob Merkel purchased the company from Ferd and Norb. The younger generation of brothers expanded the business throughout the 1970s to incorporate the rest of the buildings on what is now considered the ‘Merkel Block’ in downtown Chelsea.
During this time, the business slowly transitioned out of hardware and entirely into furniture, flooring, mattresses, and interior design. In 1980, Jack’s son Tim moved back to Chelsea and starting working for the business full time.
The 1990s saw a period of expansion and transition. Merkel Carpet One opened at the Lamplight Plaza in Ann Arbor and Tim Merkel, along with his business partner, Fred Zuidvelt, bought the company from Jack and Bob. Tim focused on the furniture side of the business, and Fred managed the flooring and installation, which is how the company is managed today. In early 2016, Howard Merkel, Bob’s youngest son, and George Merkel Tim’s youngest son joined the business continuing the family tradition.
Merkel Furniture and Carpet One is a full-service furnishing, flooring, and mattress company with a wide array of the highest quality furniture, flooring, area rugs, mattresses, and also provide flooring installation, furniture delivery, and design services.
Jewelry Set In Stone’s passion centers on helping people. Owner Stephen Kolokithas was inspired to open Jewelry Set in Stone in 2015 by what he saw as a need for a jeweler who listens and works with clients throughout the entire process – from ideation to finished product.
The focus is on creating a unique, custom design both when working with clients and when designing jewelry for inventory, using ethically sourced unique gems and minerals from all over the world to create one of a kind jewelry.
Kolokithas likes to be challenged and is always striving to be the best by pushing boundaries and incorporating new techniques – incorporating CAD/CAM into designs to bring the best techniques to an age-old craft.
Don’t forget – the #shopchelseamich members invite Chelsea to help celebrate our local Independent Businesses by participating in The Indie Challenge. The Indie Challenge is to try fulfilling as many of your needs at local independent businesses during the month of July.
Follow us on Facebook @shopchelseamich and visit our website, www.shopchelseamich.com.
#shopchelseamich is a group of independent business owners who possess entrepreneurial spirits who have joined forces and created #shopchelseamich. This collaborative team includes a network of 35+ Chelsea merchants and restaurants that have participated in and promoted Wine, Women & Shopping, Chocolate Extravaganza, and Sidewalk Sales events over the years.
