02/13/12 - Fred was recently rear-ended in a 60 mph automobile collision up North. The good news is that he was shaken up, but walked away. The bad news was that after experiencing neck pain, an MRI revealed 4 herniated cervical disks causing serious spinal compression. Immediate and extensive surgery was performed and thanks to spinal surgeon Dr. Richard Easton of Troy Beaumont Hospital, the results turned out better than expected. Fred is required to wear a neck brace for the next few weeks and a complete recovery is anticipated. Fred is shown here pictured with Carissa, who has been like a family member to us since she was born. About 10 years ago, at the age of 17, Carissa was involved in terrible automobile collision with a tractor trailer truck traveling at high speed. For many months afterwards her survival was in doubt, but she battled back and is today leading a near normal life. Life is fragile and life is precious. Those of you that are friends of the store understand that our business has never really been all about money. Never has this been more true than after experiencing a serious medical crisis. In fact, we want to try and do a better job of helping those with a medical need. We often get hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers and medical accessories at our stores. If you or anyone in your family requires even temporary use of items such as these, please give us a call and we will work extra hard to find a way to help you out at the minimum possible cost.
01/09/12 - Anyone who's met Fred knows that he's traveled the world and made an incredible number of life long friends in the process. During the early 1970's, Fred was traveling in Europe where he attended a concert by a major breaking power rock band from the States named Grand Funk Railroad. "We're an American Band, I'm Your Captain, Some Kind of Wonderful and Mean Mistreater" are just some of the million-selling hits that you may recognize from this legendary group. It was during that tour stop in France that Fred first met Mark Farner (center), the driving force, lead guitar player and incredible vocalist for the group. The two hit it off. In an amazing coincidence, Fred's small store in the 70's was built on a property also housing a recording and rehearsal studio used by the break-out Detroit rock band Adrenalin, who were very close friends with Mark. The Adrenalin guys reintroduced Mark to Fred and their friendship has grown ever since. Your webmaster Craig (on the left) didn't know Fred or Mark at that time, but was in a local not-so-famous bar band that played many Grand Funk songs, so it was an absolute delight to learn later on that Mark was a close friend of Fred's. Mark recently completed a set of tour dates in Russia and stopped by our store for a visit. And, yes, even rock stars that have traveled all over the world dozens of times can still find items here (like an ornate French Provincial table lamp) that they want to buy. Find out for yourself why.
12/16/11 - We recently discovered this Certificate of Occupancy on a back wall during our ongoing remodeling efforts. When our store was founded in 1982, Fred took possession of a 200 sq. ft. property in Warren that was in extremely poor condition and unapproved. Things were so tough that the City of Warren even granted Fred four years in which to substantially improve the property. In 1986, this Certificate of Occupancy was issued by the City of Warren. This document essentially represents the official start of a successful business that has grown to over 50,000 sq. ft. in Warren and 2 other stores located in Detroit and Gladwin, MI. Fred hasn't let a day go by where he doesn't reflect on how fortunate we are to live in this country and about how hard work and commitment to one's goals can be a force for positive change in both the community and in people's lives. Happy Holidays to all of our loyal shoppers and friends. We look forward to serving you even better in 2012.
