Over the past several years, Southgate has quietly said goodbye to many of its long-standing businesses – cornerstones of the community that, in many cases, spanned two or even three generations of family ownership. Their closures mark not just economic change, but the end of deeply rooted local traditions.

Ray Hunter Florist & Nursery was Southgate’s all-time leader in longevity – 100 years! – from 1919 to 2019. Three generations of “Ray” Hunters ran the business over the years, with Ray Hunter Sr. starting in 1919, and his son and grandson carrying on the tradition. We have their large “Christmas Shop” sign at the Museum.

Dr. C.W. O’Dell opened his chiropractic practice in Wyandotte in 1936. He moved to Southgate in 1949, on the second floor of a new building that had Cunningham’s Drug Store on the first floor. He remained there until 2012, practicing into his early 90s. The building was torn down in 2019. One of the original signs is in our “buildings” room.

McLinden’s Shoes also originated in Wyandotte. Brothers Archie and John McLinden opened their first store in 1947. They moved to Southgate in 1956 and into a larger location in 1965. John ran the store through 1994 – his daughter Margaret (McLinden) Salyers ran it from 1994 through her retirement in 2019. One of our most popular displays is the original cash register from their first store.

After 73 years and several managers, the popular A&W Drive-In Restaurant was sold in 2025 to new owners, who changed the name.

Next door to A&W was the Grendel-Wittbold Insurance Agency, which also closed for good in 2025 after 70 years. One of its founders was Robert L. Wittbold, a Southgate City Council member from 1961 to 1965.

B&D Vacuum downscaled and closed its Southgate store in early 2026. Their Trenton location remains open. B&D had its beginning in Wyandotte in 1955 by then-owners Betty and Dick LeFevre (B&D). In 1962, they moved across Fort Street to Southgate. When their son Bill got involved with the business, they said B&D was now for Bill and Dad. Bill took over when his parents retired to Florida in 1983. After expanding the business to Trenton, Betty and Dick’s grandson, Matthew, ran the Southgate location until it closed.

Three other long-term businesses have also closed recently. They were the Cloverleaf Bar (1959- 2025), Orthopedics Associates (1969-2024) and a collision shop with several names since 1955, Fort-Lincoln Collision (1974-2024).

While Southgate continues to grow and welcome new businesses, these establishments leave behind a lasting legacy. Their stories, artifacts, and contributions to community life are preserved at the Southgate Historical Museum – ensuring that even as the city evolves, its rich history is never forgotten.