Frankenmuth in Saginaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

1. Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era Marker — left panel

Inscription.
Oscar and Evelyn Rau (left panel) Originally established as the Hotel Goetz in 1902, Rau's Country Store, Inc. has been a family favorite since 1964. Oscar and Evelyn started Rau's Country Store, Inc. as Michigan's "Most Unique Country Store" offering Frankenmuth visitors a chance to take a step back in time to days of yesteryear. Rau's Country Store, Inc. was the second business Oscar and Evelyn had established in Frankenmuth, having started Oscar Rau's of Frankenmuth in 1945.

Not-For-Sale Antiques, Line Of Old Style Merchandise Featured (middle panel) Frankenmuth — Rau's Country Store here recalls an era when a fellow always could buy a good bean shooter for a penny to snipe at the wise-guy teacher's pet up there in the front row.

And when it also was fair exchange for a yard or so of licorice strip or a Valentine with lace edges for "Her" — the one with a ribbon on one side of her tawny hair.

You maybe got the extra pennies to rattle against the jackknife in your pants pocket by going to the store for a gallon of kerosene or a quart of vinegar which came out of barrels at the back of the store, or two pounds

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of sugar scooped from a wooden bin, or a bottle of patent medicine which Grandpa advised was good for everything from hangnails to headaches and which, if used in a blow torch, would burn with a blue flame.

Rau's Country Store opened in May 1964 by Oscar F. Rau and his son William G. It is decorated and equipped with not-for sale antiques like these in grocery and general stores of 50 years ago.

It specializes in the sale of imported spices, candy, jams and jellies and fancy groceries in the gourmet food category. It also has a complete line of oldstyle penny candy a la licorice strips and drops, "jaw breakers," butterscotch squares and coconut candy.

Permanently displayed are two barrels of dill and Kosher dill pickels. Lift their wooden lids and the aroma is as delightfully special as the price of the pickles. They sell for 15 cents each, two for a quarter. What's more, they're worth it if you're a connoisseur of pickles and had a grandma who always had a row of them in quart jars on the pantry shelf.

The store is quite an attraction for Frankenmuth visitors. After dinner many stroll down Main Street and stop in at the

Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era Marker — middle panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

2. Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era Marker — middle panel

place which looks like an old-time country general store even from the outside.

The store has a guest register list. It bears the names and comments from visitors and customers from nearly every state in the Union and from many foreign lands.

Written comments about the store use words like "delightful," "charming" and "unforgettable." One German visitor merely wrote after his name, "ach!," which anyone with a name like Rau would know instantly was high compliment.

The Saginaw News Sunday, January 30, 1966

Image caption: Oscar F. Rau (left), and his son William G. Rau pose as checker players, in Rau's Country Store.

Lillie and William Rau (right panel) William and his wife, Lillie, joined the business in 1964 and purchased the business from Oscar and Evelyn when they retired in 1972. The building underwent an expansion in 1981. The building was propped up, a basement was added and the floor space doubled. William and Lillie continued to operate Rau's Country Store, Inc. until their retirement in 2004.

From the well-worn floor boards to the scent of the old-fashioned pickel barrel Rau's Country Store, Inc. remains

Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era Marker — right panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

3. Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era Marker — right panel

one of Frankenmuth's most popular retail establishments.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is January 30, 1966.

Location. 43° 19.652′ N, 83° 44.425′ W. Marker is in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in Saginaw County. It is on South Main Street (State Highway 83) 0.1 miles north of Covered Bridge Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 655 South Main Street, Frankenmuth MI 48734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zehnder’s (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn (about 400 feet away); Michigan's German Settlers (about 400 feet away); Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant (about 400 feet away); Frankenmuth Woolen Mill (about

Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

4. Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era Marker

600 feet away); Michigan's Oldest Woolen Mill (about 600 feet away); Frankenmuth Veteran's Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Marv Herzog Fest Platz (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frankenmuth.

Rau's Country Store and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

5. Rau's Country Store and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 684 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on February 14, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.