1820s
George Jerome & Co.
Established in 1828, George Jerome & Co. is Michigan’s oldest business, specializing in civil engineering, land surveying, industrial surveying, mortgage reports, and appraisal services.
1840s
Patterson Dog and Cat Hospital
Established by Dr. James W. Patterson, the only practicing veterinarian in Detroit at the time. Patterson’s services today include preventive care, general surgery, and hospitalization.
MichCon
A subsidiary of DTE Energy, MichCon was founded in 1849 and provides natural-gas services through MichCon Pipeline Co. and MichCon Storage & Transportation Services.
1850s
Detroit Business Institute
DBI offers training programs for high-demand careers such as medical assistant, medical billing, and office technology.
Historic White Horse Inn
Claiming to be Michigan’s oldest restaurant, the White Horse Inn features grilled baby lamb chops, High Street scallops, and St. Louis style barbecue ribs.
SmithGroup Inc.
The oldest practicing architecture and engineering firm in the United States. Founded by Sheldon Smith in 1853, the SmithGroup offers services in architecture, engineering, interiors, and planning.
H.D. Edwards & Company Inc.
H.D. Edwards specializes in wood-finishing supplies, including paints and varnishes.
William R. Hamilton Company
A funeral home and cremation service for more than 150 years.
1860s
Reising, Ethington, Barnes, Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch PC
Reising Ethington specializes in the practice of intellectual property law. Services include patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
1870s
Hayes Grinding Services
Hayes specializes in the industrial sharpening and manufacturing of blades, grinders, shears, and specialty items.
Koenig Fuel & Supply Co.
Manufactures ready-mixed concrete and distributes fuel oils.
R.L. Polk & Co.
Provides marketing analysis to the automotive industry. Services include identifying trends and building brand loyalty.
J.W. Westcott Co.
Home of the world’s original floating ZIP code Ñ 48222. J.W. Westcott operates along the Detroit River, providing freight and mail service to American and Canadian sailing vessels.
Kerr, Russell and Weber PLC
A full-service law firm with 51 attorneys and 28 areas of practice.
Rayl Industrial Supply
Rayl services wholesale industrial machinery and equipment in various industries, including glass, optical, and pharmaceutical.
Sanders Sales Inc.
Sanders and its affiliates have been serving up sweets since 1875. Besides its famous hot fudge cream puff, Sanders also specializes in chocolates, cakes, coffee, and cocoa.
J.C. Goss Company
J.C. Goss manufactures canvas and textile fabric products for the agricultural, residential, automotive, and transportation industries.
J.D. Candler Roofing Company Inc.
J.D. Candler specializes in the installation and maintenance of industrial, commercial, and institutional roofing systems.
1880s
Leonard Bros. Data Management Inc.
After more than a century as a furniture moving and storage company, Leonard Bros. has been offering document-management solutions to metro Detroit since 1987.
The Detroit Club
Composed of individual citizens from corporations, foundations, and government, the club addresses Detroit social issues, aiming to break the city’s cycle of poverty.
Lauhoff Corporation
Lauhoff is a manufacturer of food-processing equipment, such as food choppers, coffee grinders, juicers, mixers, and peelers.
Chris Engel Flowers & Greenhouse
A family-owned business handed down through six generations, Chris Engel specializes in weddings, funeral designs, and gift baskets.
E.W. Grobbel Sons
Known as America’s oldest corned-beef specialist, Grobbel’s also offers high-quality roast beef, pastrami, and prime rib.
Otto Schemansky & Sons Inc.
Family-owned and -operated , Schemansky custom-designs grave markers and monuments, as well as plaques, garden and field stones, statues, and urns.
Detroit Edge Tool Company
Detroit Edge is the oldest machine knife manufacturer in the world and a leading supplier of precision machine parts.
M. Jacob & Sons
M. Jacob & Sons was one of the first companies in America to recycle bottles and use plastic bottles. Today, it specializes in packaging for the food and beverage, and health and beauty industries.
Bureau of Credits Inc.
Founded in 1886, the Bureau of Credits offers extensive credit-reporting services.
John Johnson Company
John Johnson manufactures quality textile products for industrial, military, and automotive markets. Products include seat cushions, tops, covers, and cargo assemblies.
Detroit Athletic Club
The DAC is an upscale athletic facility that also offers elegant dining, hotel accommodations, and an on-site barbershop.
R. Hirt Jr. Company
Located in Detroit’s Eastern Market, R. Hirt Jr. offers more than 300 varieties of cheese, as well as quality meats, chocolates, and baked goods.
Amertex Service Group
Amertex has been in the linen-supply industry since 1888, providing bedding, towels, curtains, drapes, and linens.
Cadillac Coffee Co.
Cadillac offers gourmet coffee, specialty teas, syrups, blended drink mixes, and cappuccino mixes.
Detroit Cornice & Slate Co.
A state historical landmark, the Detroit Cornice & Slate Co. specializes in slate, tile, and metal roofing, as well as historical and cornice restoration.
1890s
Colman Wolf Sanitary Supply
Colman is a distributor of sanitary products, cleaning chemicals, janitorial supplies, and institutional paper goods.
Roma Café
Just north of Eastern Market, Roma Café is Detroit’s oldest Italian restaurant, serving veal scaloppine, chicken scaloppine cacciatora, and prosciutto with melon.
E.C. Dittrich & Company, Inc.
The leading fur retailer in America, Dittrich specializes in high-fashion furs, shearling coats, and fur-trimmed leather.
Henry the Hatter
Henry the Hatter offers a wide selection of hats and caps, including felt dress hats, straw hats, and casual hats for all seasons.
Lachman & Company
Lachman produces customized awards and gifts from high-quality crystal, glass, and wood. Custom items include plaques and trophies.
Loewenstein Poultry
Loewenstein and its partner Chef’s Pride are the largest gift turkey supplier in the United States. Loewenstein also distributes hams, steaks, cheeses, and nuts.
Albert Kahn Associates Inc.
An award-winning architecture and engineering group since 1895, Kahn also specializes in planning, design, and management.
Detroit Legal News Company/Inland Press
The leading provider of legal information in Michigan, including the daily newspaper #The Detroit Legal News.#
Kirlin Company
The Kirlin Company, which started as a manufacturer of electric power plants, now distributes high-quality lighting fixtures.
Max Broock Realtors Inc.
One of Michigan’s oldest real-estate brokers.
Brooks Lumber Company
Brooks Lumber, now owned by Ace Hardware, specializes in tools, plumbing, lawn and garden, and electrical supplies.
Tecla Company Inc.
Tecla was founded by inventor Thomas E. Clark and has four manufacturing divisions: Tecla Marine, Resco Pet Products, Bert’s Custom Tackle, and Tecla Industrial.
Detroit Store Fixture Company
Detroit’s leading distributor of quality store fixtures and accessories. Products include showcases, slatwall, gridwall, hangers, and garment racks.
Acme Wire & Iron Works
Family-owned and -operated, Acme provides high-quality woven wire mesh and steel products.
Detroit Golf Club
The DGC features two 18-hole courses, a clubhouse for meetings and banquets, and swim and tennis programs.
Federal-Mogul Corporation
Federal-Mogul is a global supplier of automotive products, vehicles, and systems. Products include sealings, bearings, and steering and braking paerts.
1900s
John E. Green
Founded in 1909, John E. Green started out as a plumbing and heating business. Today it’s one of the largest and most diversified mechanical contractors in the country.
Sterling Insurance Group
Formerly known as Bosquett & Co., Sterling Insurance provides personal, commercial, and retirement services.
Hickey’s Walton Pierce
Hickey’s Walton Pierce specializes in men’s and women’s custom clothing, including formal and casual wear and accessories.
Mechanical Plating Company
A provider of metal plating services for generations. Mechanical’s plating materials include titanium, copper, brass, bronze, and zinc.
Boomer Company
Boomer provides construction materials such as brick, stone, and concrete, as well as general construction machinery and equipment.
Butchers Inn
Located in historic Eastern Market, Butchers Inn is a rustic-style restaurant serving American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Detroit Testing Laboratory Inc.
DTL provides testing in the areas of engineering, physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and also offers technical and development services for the military and automotive industry.
Pewabic Pottery
One of the nation’s oldest potteries, Pewabic is also a studio for gift tile, vesselware, and custom architectural tile.
Marygrove College
An independent Catholic liberal-arts college, Marygrove was founded in Monroe, Mich., relocating to Detroit in 1927.
Bockstanz Brothers Company Inc.
Now owned by Kellermeyer Co. of Toledo, Ohio, Bockstanz is a major janitorial and sanitation supply distributor.
Gregory Boat Company
Gregory Boat Co. provides boat brokerage sales and boat services, as well as fuel, marine products, and wet and dry storage.
George W. Auch Company
Auch is a full-service construction management and general contracting firm specializing in educational, health care, municipal, and institutional construction.
Harley Ellis
An architectural design firm offering planning, architecture, engineering, and historic preservation services.
Natow Toma Uniform Inc.
Natow Toma provides uniforms for corporations, security firms, schools, and the military.
The Italian Tribune
Available in both English and Italian, this newspaper has served metro Detroit’s Italian community since 1909.
Awrey Bakeries LLC
Awrey is one of the largest privately owned baked goods producers in the country. Products include breakfast treats and gourmet specialty desserts and pastries.
Deloitte Development LLC
Deloitte offers a wide range of services, including accounting, assurance and advisory, risk, tax, management, and financial.
Brass Products Company
Brass Products manufactures valves and fittings, plumbing fixtures, hardware, and castings for gas utilities, plumbing and heating companies, and OEMs.
College for Creative Studies
CCS offers BFA degrees in 11 majors and MFA degrees in two. Courses of study include ad design, art education, photography, and graphic design.
Northern Lakes Seafood & Meats
Formerly known as Salasnek fisheries, Northern Lakes Seafood & Meats is a wholesale supplier of fish and seafood.
