Lost Treasure: You Remember These 11 Popular Flint Businesses?

Shopping for groceries, clothing, cars and furniture used to look very different in Flint, MI.

These businesses thrived for decades until ownership sold, or they simply went out of business.

See Also: How exactly are packages delivered to Mackinac Island's year-round residents?

Why did Hudson's go out of business?

Hudson's flagship Michigan store (Detroit) was known as the "tallest department store in the world" in 1961. In 2000, Hudson's became Marshall Field's.

By 2006, those stores became Macy's. Genesee Valley Center on Miller & Linden Roads in Flint Township still has Macy's in the original Hudson's wing.

Why did Kessel grocery stores go away?

Al Kessel was always known for starring in the "weekly ad" sale commercials. He eventually sold the company to Kroger.

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Check out those old Doritos bags in this commercial.

What was the appliance store on Miller Road in Flint?

Before Best Buy and Circuit City -- Highland was a big deal. Highland Superstores or Highland Appliance was started in Highland Park, Michigan.

The Miller Road Flint location was very popular in the 80s. They tried to expand nationally, but ultimately filed for bankruptcy in the early 90s.

Here's a bonus Highland sample. It was a big deal to have these 80s superstars featured.

What happened to Perry Drugstores in Michigan?

Perry Drugs was a big name in drugstores around the Midwest. Flint, Davison, Grand Blanc and the rest of Genesee County had locations.

Eventually, Rite Aid bought out the company. We'll never forget "red coat pharmacists."

What furniture store was in Mt. Morris, Michigan?

Coles Furniture was very popular for 62 years located at 9215 N Dort Highway east of Frances Road. It was a family business started in the 1950s.

Randy and Lisa Cole spoke with MLive about the family business in 2012.

What was the other Italian Restaurant at Miller Road & I-75 in Flint?

For 28 years, Salvatore Scallopini sat at the I-75/Miller Road area.

The owners closed that location to open IHOP. They still have three other locations around Metro Detroit.

"Hamady Sacks" are still talked about around Genesee County, today.

Hamady grocery stores were popular around Flint & Genesee County, MI for decades. Originating in 1911, the company closed/sold off in 1991.

In 2018, Jim McColgan Jr opened up Hamady Complete Food Centers in the Hallwood Plaza at Clio & Pierson Roads.

Unfortunately, that closed a few months later. McColgan Jr told MLive, he's too young to retire and maybe something will happen in the future at a different location.

Oldsmobile Cars

Remember when GM had mini vans that looked like "Dustbuster" vacuums? The Oldsmobile "Silhouette" was a popular way to cart your family around Genesee County.

Victor George Oldsmobile was a mammoth dealership located on the corner of Saginaw Road and Maple Avenue in Grand Blanc Township and in Lapeer.

Of course, when the "Great Recession" happened in 2008, GM stopped production for Oldsmobile, Saturn and Pontiac brands.

What were the popular record stores in Flint, MI?

Two legendary places come to mind. Rocka Rolla Records, which had a few locations and Wyatt Earp Records. While the latter moved around a few times, it was memorable when you'd visit.

While there isn't much video footage of either store, there is a tribute to the late Doug Earp which was held at Churchill's in Downtown Flint.

What happened to James Lumber and the James Boys?

James Lumber commercials always featured a "Honey-Do" style ad and an invite to "Come visit the James Boys."

They used to have numerous locations around Genesee County & Mid-Michigan.

Who was the "Dealin' Man" in Flint, Michigan?

The 'Dealin' Man' was Al Bennet. His Ford dealership commercials always featured the song, a cartoon and Yvonne by his side.

He sold his nine dealerships long ago and in a 2011 story with WTVD-TV he mentioned Yvonne passed a while ago.

Surely, if you remember these iconic Flint businesses... you'll want to relive the Grand Opening of AutoWorld. See it just below.