Ames 0398 Fenton, Michigan

[JWilly48519]

This store building is now Plant #1 for CFI Medical Solutions, a medical device manufacturer.

Prior to CFI buying the building about eight years ago, it was used for automotive electronics manufacturing by Lucas Automotive Systems. I don't know if they were the first user following Ames' local closing.

I work for CFI as Regulatory Manager. My office is at the south end of the building.

The Fenton market has grown quite a bit and currently supports a viable Target and Wal-Mart.

[NJxxJon]

Thanks! .....

[TheFugitive]

I worked the Grand Opening of this store.  Would have been in the Fall of 1988
sometime.   Beautiful town and nice location.   

My main memory was of walking off of the sidewalk of this store after a heavy rainstorm
to pick up some trash and immediately sinking into the mud to my mid-calf.

Welcome to Michigan!

Two employees had to grab me by either arm and pull me back out.

What an interesting re-use of the building.

[Hudsons81]

Was this ever the closest Ames to Detroit?

[TheFugitive]

Was this ever the closest Ames to Detroit?

There were stores in Chelsea and Howell which I believe were closer.
I think Chelsea may have been open before Fenton if I recall correctly.

In driving time my old store in Imlay City may have been the closest
(straight shot down M53/Van Dyke)

First two Ames in Michigan were Hillsdale and Sturgis, two old G.C. Murphy stores.

[Hudsons81]

Was this ever the closest Ames to Detroit?

There were stores in Chelsea and Howell which I believe were closer.
I think Chelsea may have been open before Fenton if I recall correctly.

In driving time my old store in Imlay City may have been the closest
(straight shot down M53/Van Dyke)

First two Ames in Michigan were Hillsdale and Sturgis, two old G.C. Murphy stores.

Imlay City was actually closer. There were also a couple of stores in Toledo that were real close-and those closed years after the Michigan stores.

[TheFugitive]

Any Ames in Toledo would have been a Hills store which was converted after the merger.
Hills also had some stores in the Flint area which closed before the merger.

When I worked for them in the late 80's-early 90's, Toledo area stores included
Fremont, Bowling Green, Wauseon, Bryan, Defiance and Hillsdale, MI.