Downtown Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Kresge Korner
Woodward Avenue Cultural Heritage Tour
— Downtown Detroit, Michigan —
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, October 18, 2022
1. Kresge Korner Marker
Sebastian S. Kresge established the S.S. Kresge Company on Woodward Avenue in 1899. Ten years later he moved his store to the corner of Woodward and State and named the spot "Kresge Korner.” At that time, this was considered the northern edge of downtown.
S.S. Kresge Store No. 1 was a five and dime store that sold everything from greeting cards to sewing supplies to parakeets. The lunch counter became a popular destination for downtown workers.*
By the 1920s, the S.S. Kresge Company had become so successful that there were three Kresge Stores operating on Woodward Avenue within three blocks of each other. By 1965 there were more than 900 stores nationally.
In 1977, the S.S. Kresge Company changed its name to the Kmart Corporation.**
*from National Register of Historic places nomination form: Lower Woodward Avenue Historic District, 1998
**from Kmart Corporation website: www.kmartcorp.com
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 42° 20.017′ N, 83° 2.894′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. Marker is on Woodward Avenue (State Highway 1) near Grand River Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Kern Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Parker's Alley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Statue of Abraham Lincoln (about 400 feet away); Detroit's Underground Railway Station (about 400 feet away); Finney Barn (about 400 feet away); L.B. King and Company Building (about 400 feet away); The First Capitol Building in Michigan (about 400 feet away); Michigan's First Capitol/Capitol Union School (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.
Also see . . . Kmart. Excerpt:
In 1912, Kresge incorporated the S.S. Kresge Company in Delaware with 85 stores. In 1916, Kresge incorporated a new S.S. Kresge Company in Michigan and took over the operations of the original company; the new company in Michigan is the modern day Kmart company.(Submitted on October 25, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, October 18, 2022
2. Kresge Korner Marker
Photographed By S. S. Kresge Company (KMart), circa 1977
3. Kresge Corporate Logo
Logo is from prior to 1977 when Kresge became Kmart.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 25, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
