Kramer's Busy Big Store

This is the 8th in a series of ten plaques placed on historical buildings by the Rotary Club of Gaylord

208 W. Main Street was the center of the three sections of Kramer's Busy Big Store. It was built by Frank Kramer in 1883. At the same time, he also purchased an existing 28' wide building to the west. This extra space allowed him to move his smaller business located across the street into a much larger store. In 1900, an addition to the east was completed and all 3 storefronts were veneered with brick. Kramer advertised his store was the “Largest Department Store” between Bay City and Mackinaw at that time.

The building was later divided into three separate businesses. The western portion was Berry Drug Store and later Glasser Drug. When the Sugar Bowl Restaurant expanded, it purchased this space and moved Glasser Drug to the center building.

The center portion of the original building (208 W. Main) later became the A&P Grocery Store, Glen Electric, Glasser Drugs, Family Pharmacy, and since 1993 is the Alpine Chocolat Haus.

The eastern third of the building today is the Ah-loy Bamboo restaurant serving a Thai and Chinese cuisine at 200 W. Main. Previous occupants of this space included Country Casuals, The Wishing Well, Dittmer's, and Kramer's clothing and dry goods.