Historic Michigan Landmark, Grindstone General Store, Ravaged by New Year’s Day Fire

Grindstone General Store: Landmark Michigan General Store Devastated by Fire

Residents of Port Austin, Michigan, as well as visitors to this charming village, have been left saddened and stunned this week. The beloved Grindstone General Store, a notable summer ice cream destination and a longstanding historical symbol of the region for more than 140 years, was severely damaged by a fire on Wednesday.

The Incident and Fire Damage

Located at 3206 Copeland Road, the Grindstone General Store was the last standing business establishment from the original Grindstone City, making it a poignant representation of Port Austin’s past. The fire reportedly started at around 3:15 p.m. on New Year’s Day, leading to massive damage that essentially amounted to a total loss for the historic store.

According to Jason Zimmerman, the Fire Chief of Port Austin, “The cause of the fire appears to be the store’s electrical system, but it remains under investigation. The level of loss hasn’t been determined, but the building is completely destroyed.” Smoke alarms were installed in the residential part of the building and were functioning normally.

The Emergency Response

Upon noticing a power cut and subsequently smelling smoke, the store owner, Brian Fransen, immediately investigated the issue. He discovered a glowing light coming from an entrance to the attic knee wall. Upon opening a door, he was greeted by flames, attempted to douse it using a fire extinguisher, but the fire quickly became uncontrollable. Fransen suffered minor injuries and burns during this ordeal and was promptly cared for by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel after his emergency call to 911.

The fire required the intervention of around 70 firefighters and drew assistance from multiple regional firefighting units. The first responders from the Port Austin Fire Department were joined by the Port Hope Fire Department, Kinde Area Fire Department, Harbor Beach Fire Department, and Bad Axe Area Fire Department. Also involved were Central Huron Ambulance, Port Austin Police, and the Huron County Sheriff Department.

Legacy of Grindstone General Store

The Grindstone General Store was renowned for serving the largest scoops of ice cream in the Thumb area since 1886. Their handmade and Stroh’s hand-dipped ice cream attracted both locals and out-of-towners. With over 90,000 visitors seasonally, the store was also a favorite spot for Michigan-made crafts, local art, fudge, seasonings, jams, and jellies.

The Meaning of Grindstone

A ‘grindstone’ is a thick disk of stone, often made of sandstone, used for grinding, sharpening, or polishing metallic objects, or for milling grains into flour. Grindstone City, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, was a leading producer of these stones. Evidence of the city’s industrious past can still be observed in the area, with remnants of past grindstone production scattered throughout.