I've previously done entries regarding Howell businesses and traditions that have gone the way of the proverbial blue suede shoe. Here are a few more instances of nostalgia pertaining to Livingston County in general.
The Ben Franklin Store
The first store I was ever allowed to go into by myself, back in the olden days before child abduction seemed to be the crime du jour. The Ben Franklin was located right next to the old Kroger store in Howell, so when my mom grocery shopped, I would browse the Ben Franklin. I would always carefully spend my fifty cents on their penny candy, which wasn't a penny, but still a quarter went far. This site is now the location of a sewing store.
D & C Dime Store
The D & C was located where Mr. B's Pub now is in downtown Howell. It was a very old fashioned dime store with wooden floors and lots of candy by the pound. It was manned by blue haired ladies in smocks whose pockets were stuffed with wadded up tissues to clean their glasses, which dangled on chains around their necks. You get the idea.
History Town
Located at the corner of Dorr Road and Grand River in between Howell and Brighton, History Town was a collection of small cabins, a miniature railroad and Indian tee pees. It hosted enactments of Wild West Frontier days. Very politically correct, as you can imagine. There was also a one room schoolhouse located on the site. Not sure if that was a replica or the real thing. As of late, the schoolhouse was home to a local motorcycle club and served as their coffeehouse.
The Lakes Drive-In
Many week-end nights of my high school career were spent at the The Lakes. I remember dating Brian from Brighton and we would go with his friend Tim and Tim's girlfriend Angie. Tim had a sweet 1970 Olds Cutlass, all souped up to muscle car perfection. It seems like that entire summer, Mad Max was playing, but I know that can't be true.
The Lakeland Roller Rink
Located at the far east end of Brighton, just down the road from The Lakes Drive-In and The Main Event Nightclub (see below). This was not the primo roller rink, that would be Rollerama, which is still in existence. The Lakeland is now Tri-County Cleaning Supplies.
The Main Event Nightclub
The Main Event was defunct before I can remember it ever being in operation, but the sign stood for some twenty plus years. When I was ten or so, my older cousin Jeannie lived with us for a while. She was in her early 20s, going to nursing school, and she often went to The Main Event to presumably boogie. (NOTE: Jeannie took me to see Saturday Night Fever. Four times.) I remember her in a cloud of floaty dress, low cut and pastel with cork wedgies and lots of eyeshadow and perfume and some big ass hair. Which brings me to...
The Lounge In The Holiday Inn
The Holiday Inn Lounge was the place to go on the week-ends during the disco era. Apparently, people came from all over, it was such the hot spot. My cousin Jeannie was a cocktail waitress there. She wore a black leotard, a tiny black skirt with a white apron and black patent leather Mary Jane looking shoes with a high heel. I thought she was quite glamorous. The Holiday Inn became rundown, changed hands several times and I can't even remember what type hotel it is now. It still stands, though.
The Brass Lounge
When I moved back to Michigan, The Brass Lounge was the only nightspot going in Howell or Brighton. Everyone was there. No matter where you started, you were at last call at the Brass. My friend Ellen and I logged a lot of hours there. We danced, we drank. We flirted. Big old barn of a place. Lots of interesting happenings at the Brass. Lots of fights. Surprising that there wasn't more trouble than there was there.
1.) There still is a Ben Franklin Store in Durand. There is an old man in an apron and a white paper hat still running the place. And they still have penny candy.
2.) my husband worked at the D&C in Brighton all through high school and into college. He has some crazy stories to tell about that place. I believe there is a stained glass store in it now.
Posted by: Amy | March 25, 2005 at 02:43 PM
It was Lakeview, not Lakeland. I should know.. I took lessons there for years and spent every weekend for years there! We lived in Brighton and Howell was toooo far to go to skate!
Posted by: Holly | March 26, 2005 at 01:12 PM