Gwen Frostic Prints weathers winter closing and reopens this spring

Making the "Ben and Gwen run" was something I nearly always did when I visited Benzie County in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. I thought both the Ben Franklin store and Gwen Frostic Prints would be there forever, but time has a way of changing things.

Many of the Ben Franklin variety stores have slowly disappeared or been combined with another store like the grocery store/Ben Franklin store combo that now exists in Benzonia.

But as much as I loved rooting around in the bins at Ben's, I especially loved visiting Gwen's store, a rambling creation of her own featuring fieldstone, sod, and natural touches like gnarled pieces of wood as door handles.

Gwen Frostic celebrated Michigan's natural beauty by creating images of the animals, flowers, and other environmental elements, carving her creations in linoleum blocks and using them to create stationery, cards, calendars, prints, and a few non-paper products like tote bags and coffee mugs bearing Gwen's artwork. She published books celebrating nature in her own words and profusely illustrated by her linoleum-block prints.

Our cupboard boasts many Frostic mugs, I often wrap presents in Gwen's green-and-white gift wrap, and I've sent cards featuring Frostic images for holidays and other occasions over the years.

I loved the rustic store decor. I loved pausing at least a few moments to watch and listen to the clatter of the old Heidelberg printing presses from the store floor, which overlooked the print shop, or walking back to Gwen's nature library with its picture windows overlooking the river and property's wildlife refuge.

Officials at the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau report the business generated more interest and inquiries than any other attraction in the area. As many as 1,000 people might stop at Gwen Frostic's on a busy summer day, and the business employed 15 to 20 people, making it a vital part of the local economy.

Gwen Frostic passed away one day short of her 95th birthday in 2001, but her iconic store and artistry appeared to live on under owners.

So, it was more than shocking when I heard that Gwen Frostic's store closed in late October of 2009 because of financial difficulties.

The store's owners reportedly tied the business to a financing arrangement involving a restaurant and inn they also owned, an arrangement that eventually contributed to both businesses ending up in foreclosure.

The fact that Gwen Frostic was an astute business woman, and her business made her very rich, made the store's foreclosure especially unbelievable. Gwen, who received a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in 1929, left that school $13 million when she died--a bequest the university used to establish a new art school, scholarships, and multiple endowments to support various university projects and programs.

Bank officials readily acknowledged the importance of Gwen Frostic Prints to the local economy and said they hoped to find a way to keep it open.

The new year brought the news that the business owners managed to buy back the Gwen Frostic business from the bank and sold it to Greg and Kim Forshee of Benzonia. The Forshees bought the business, along with all of its copyrights and trademarks, and pledged to reopen it as soon as possible. The bank still owned the property, but the Forshees promised to keep the business in Benzie County whether or not they could open at the store Gwen built for it in 1955.

The building was always a big part of the appeal of a trip to Gwen's. The acreage contained the marshes, river, and woods where Frostic herself roamed and drew the plants and animals that became some of her most popular print subjects.

I've watched developments in this story for some time, and I finally appear to have good news to share here. Gwen Frostic Prints is now fulfilling mail and online orders, and the store is set to reopen May 22 at the beautiful River Road building.

Gwen lived an amazing life, and won honors like induction into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1986 and honorary doctorates from a handful of Michigan universities. But perhaps the best way to honor her life and legacy would be a continuation of the sharing of her art and love of Michigan's natural beauty.  

I wish the new owners the best of luck and hope they have a successful run with Gwen's business.

 

Read The Life and Wisdom of Gwen Frostic by Sheryl James to learn more about this talented, but often enigmatic, woman. The book is fairly short, being an extension of an article James originally wrote for the Detroit Free Press, and predates Gwen's death by a couple of years, but it's still a fascinating read for those who grew up visiting the store and anyone interested in learning about the woman who overcame many odds to create a multi-million dollar business and artful legacy.

© Dominique King 2010 All rights reserved

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Comments

[Diane Miley]

I was just found some old stationary that I purchased many years ago at Gwen Frostic's store. I used to come there with my friend Marlene after we golfed at Crystal Mountain.
So Glad that someone will carry on her shop.
Everything was so beautiful. Hoep to come back and see it again some day.
Diane -Eastpointe

[Dominique King]

Diane-Thanks for stopping by!

I was heartbroken when I learned that Gwen's closed late last year...but I just couldn't believe that the folks in Benzie County would just let the business go by the wayside if there was any way they could save it. So, I kept a watch on the story.

I'm hoping to get back up there later this year or early next year. Hope you'll be able to go back up there soon, too. Meanwhile, I understand that they are fulfilling mail orders again :)

[Bonnie]

I am extatic...my son just sent me the article about the reopening! (Record Eagle)

[Dominique King]

Bonnie-Thanks for stopping by!

It's great that Gwen's reopened, isn't it? I'm thinking of ordering some holiday cards from them this year...to make a point of supporting the business in hopes that they'll make a real success of it again!

[Juliana]

I am so happy to hear this! I have some her stationary that was given to me as a gift years ago and we are in the area right now! I was planning to make a stop by there and am now happy to hear it is open!!!

[Dominique King]

Juliana-Have a great time visiting Gwen's. I've heard a couple of good reports from folks who've visited since the re-opening and can't wait to visit there myself.