michigansthumb.com
RESORTER
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020
7
The Grindstone General Store originally opened its doors more than 130 years ago. (Tribune File Photo)
Grindstone City holds special place in Michigan history MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com GRINDSTONE CITY — This summer, if you’re in the mood for some ice cream with a Lake Huron history lesson on the side, head to Grindstone General Store in Grindstone City. Owner Brian Fransen, whose family has been in Grindstone City since the 1940s, is the seventh owner in 134 years. He purchased the store about 11 years ago after he retired from his tool and engineering company and bar businesses, and he is well aware of its historical significance. “It’s the last existing business of the original Grindstone City,” he said. The store is now a seasonal business that specializes in ice cream, which was introduced around 1950 when the store was purchased by Trudy Perdue, he said, and Perdue hit upon the idea to offer oversized servings to draw people into town when the
city ceased to exist after the quarry closed. The store also features the Made in Michigan Gift Shop. Fransen is something of an unofficial historian, explaining the city’s origin and its significance in Great Lakes commerce during the 19th century. He explained how Capt. A.G. Peer was sailing in Lake Huron when inclement weather moved into the region. Peer sailed his ship into the safety of Grindstone’s harbor, coming ashore to look for materials to make repairs to his ship. It was then he found the unique stone, which was hard enough to make tools. He eventually returned to the area and purchased land to open quarries, which supplied the U.S. and three other nations with grindstones. The city produced the grindstones until the early to mid-20th century until an artificial substance was invented that would eventually replace
Grindstone General Store owner Brian Fransen said what makes Grindstone City special is a combination of things. He the locals are some of the best people around, the area restaurants have topnotch offerings
Dale E. Tribune visits the Grindstone General Store for some ice cream on a hot summer day. (Tribune File Photo) grindstones. The store carries 234 flaGrindstone City special is “It spelled the end of vors of ice cream, including a combination of things. grindstones, which also six to 10 homemade flavors, He the locals are some of spelled the end of Grindand is also the second-largthe best people around, the stone City and the quarries,” est distributor of Stroh’s area restaurants have tophe said. brand ice cream. notch offerings even though Now, Fransen said he’s He said the store averagthey are located “out in the about one of a dozen total es about 80,000-90,000 sticks,” and the spectacuresidents who live in the customers per season. He lar scenery of Lake Huron town year-round. He added said they had to quickly and the Upper Thumb is he’s enjoying his “retireadapt to changes forced by unmatched. ment” as the owner of the the coronavirus pandemic, “The harbor is absolutely general store. building a drive-thru earlier beautiful,” he said. “It’s been a real pleasure,” this year to accommodate The Grindstone General he said. “It really has. It’s a customers. Store is open daily from 1 to lot of fun.” Fransen said what makes 8 p.m.