Site of Emil & Lizzie Poch Hardware Store

Site of Emil and Lizzie Poch Hardware Store. Historic Site No. 14. Emil and Lizzie Poch purchased this property in 1890. The following year they had a building erected, in which they operated a hardware store. They later also sold dry goods and groceries. , In 1925, the owners of Lee's Hardware in Alpena leased the building and bought out the Poch's inventory. They hired Art Krueger to manage the business for them. Krueger purchased the business from his bosses in 1928. Around 1940, he changed the name of the business to Krueger Hardware. , Krueger operated the business until his retirement in 1971. At that time, his long-time employee, Ervin Grulke, purchased the business. In 1973, the City purchased the business as part of its Urban Renewal Project, and in April of that year the building was demolished. , The Presque Isle County Historical Museum provided sign text and images. A Vibrant Small Cities Initiative (VSCI) grant from MSHDA and the City of Rogers City funded this project. The City Council and Community Development Authority jointly obtained the VSCI grant. The Design Committee developed the concept. Sign design and engineering by Harry Wierenga of Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering. Valley City Sign manufactured the signs in 2010. The Department of Public Works installed the signs in 2011..