One Drug Store & Two Mayors: A Taste of Flint History at Witherbee’s Market & Deli

I just read the neatest story about Witherbee’s in Downtown Flint. You can  visit their site for the specifics but I will try and summarize here.

Okay.  Witherbee’s Drug Store was opened in 1850 on Saginaw Street in what was known as the “Eagle’s Block.” Citizen’s Bank is there now.  Austin B. Witherbee was the proprietor and he was also the Mayor of Flint in 1867.

At some point Witherbee’s Drug Store was sold to a guy named Charles Mason, who owned and ran the store for more than 22 years.  During that time, Mason built a brick Victorian home a block west of MLK Ave.  on Third Ave.  in 1872.  In 1881 Mason became the 19th Mayor of Flint.

Kinda neat already, right? One drug store, 2 mayors.  There’s more…

Mason’s Victorian home is currently being renovated back to its original condition by its current owner, Perry Compton.  Do you know who Perry Compton is? He is the proprietor of …

Witherbee’s Market & Deli on MLK! Compton says that he was inspired to use the name “Witherbee’s” for his new market while doing research on his new house.

Witherbee’s Market & Deli opened in June 2010 and if you haven’t been there, GET THERE. Sitting outside on the patio (or in my case scarfing down a Reuben with my kids in the parking lot) on a sunny day puts you in the mindset of being ANY where but “Flint” as it has come to be known in recent years.  The market is pretty, the grocery store is convenient, the food is delicious, and the lunch specials are cheap! Follow Witherbee’s  on Facebook to receive updates!

Witherbee’s Market & Deli is one of several assets that have been made to Flint in recent years with the help of the Brownfield Redevelopment Incentive.  This is important to mention because the Brownfield Incentive is yet another program the Governor plans to eliminate.  The majority of the great stuff we’ve seen happening in Flint started happening when the Brownfield program was put in place.  What do you think about the potential loss of the Brownfield incentive?

I don’t know this Perry Compton fella, but maybe he should consider running for mayor of Flint