This is among classic businesses in the city of Negaunee. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Historical Society)

NEGAUNEE — The Miner’s Store was established by Peter A. Auno in 1905. It got its name because its customers were mostly miners. At that time Negaunee was a busy mining community.

The store handled primarily miner’s work clothing and luggage. They also sold bicycles which were very popular. Most of the miners came from foreign countries and could not speak English. Auno came to this country from Finland as a young man and was able to interpret and write business letters for the immigrants. Auno also sold Scandinavian line steamship tickets and made arrangements for immigrants to come to Negaunee.

He sold American Express orders in his store. In 1915, fire destroyed his store which was where Symons Hardware stood, on the corner of Iron and Silver streets. He moved to a new location on Iron Street where the Eagles Club is now located.

His daughter, Lila Wehmanen, ran the store and the business moved a little way down the street by Midtown. Doug Wehmanen took over the store from his mother in 1974. In 1977, he remodeled the store by expanding into the store where his father operated Wehmanens Jewelry for 22 years. Wehmanens Jewelry actually started on Jackson Street where Hakala well and pump service is located.

Doug graduated from Negaunee High School in 1971 and his wife, Margaret, who has roots from the Collins family, also pioneers in Negaunee business, graduated from NHS in 1973. After the Breitung Hotel burned, there wasn’t a place to spend a night in Negaunee until a motel was built on U.S. 41 across from the Baptist Church. This spot started out as a horse riding academy. You could rent horses and use a trail that went through the woods. The Jailhouse Motel was built on that land,   

Ruth Kolhek purchased it and renamed it The Siesta Grande Motel.

In her advertising of the motel, she states: “There were two levels of 21 newly remodeled units. Plenty of space for parking trucks, trailers and campers.”

She also offered one and two bedroom efficiency apartments. Free continental breakfast and color, cable television. A natural background is a rock hillside made up of the oldest geological formations in the world.

The Jackson Mine Museum (Frank Matthews first museum) and the Carp River Forge Site are tourist attractions that tell the story of Negaunee and its mining history. In 1984, the new business mall was constructed on the East end of Iron Street. In the middle of November businesses occupied the complex. Merrick’s Department store, John Savolainen’s Sport Store, Now “1844.” 

The Brass Check Restaurant, owned by John and Marlene Ennett, Laura Romback’s beauty salon, Shelly Stanaway’s flower shop. There was a record shop. Laura Romback opened a Christian Book Store, Ezekials. Julie Taylor and Tina Prusi opened the Bridal Suite, a complete bridal and formal wear shop. Restaurants that replaced the Brass Check were Larson’s and Vango’s.

Also in 1984, a brother and sister partnership opened up the Sub Shop. John Perala and Jeanne Perala Kinnunen felt there was a need for a quick-food stand and after some searching decided that the old Texaco gas station on the corner of Main and Pioneer Avenue was an ideal spot because it was close to school and a pivot point to downtown Negaunee. They served old fashioned ice cream cones, hot sandwiches, nachos, soft drinks and a lot of friendliness.

Another trip down memory lane.