Bay Antique Center History
Louis M. Meisel first opened his hardware store at 1010 N. Water Street in 1919. He was followed a long established tradition in Bay City' riverside business district by catering to the needs of early Bay City's two major industries: Lumbering and Ship Building.
As early as 1873, WM H. Miller and Co. was selling hardware, stoves and tinware in this building before street numbers were assigned to Water Street (e.s. Water between 3rd and 4th). Miller had then expanded his hardware company to a larger building.
By 1890 "Burroughs & LaFrance" had taken over 1010 N. Water and sold hardware until 1908. During this period there were seven hardware retailers between the 900 and 1000 block of Water Street. All seven of the stores were within sight of four sawmills and the dry docks of two of the largest wood and steel ship builders on the Great Lakes (Davidson and Wheeler).In 1984 the Meisel Hardware Co. finally closed its doors. Remarkably, the building itself housed hardware for at least 111 years!
In 1990 William and Elaine Fournier purchased the Rosenbury building and later expanded to include the Meisel Building. This was the new home of the Bay City Antiques Center, known as "Michigan's Largest and Finest."
Scott McIntyre, and his business partner, purchased the Meisel Building (1010 N. Water) in 2003 which currently operates as the Bay Antique Center. This is the home of over 100 quality dealers, fine antiques, collectibles and much more.