12/17/2024
History is an important part of MHC, and we love this piece!
In 1963 Gerald Meyer flew down to see Dick Ward, at the Three Rivers Airport. While the two discussed how they could sell more aircraft jacks, Gerald told Dick that he had to move as he was outgrowing his facility at Grand Rapids. Dick suggested he look up a property that was available in Centreville, six miles away from him.
Borrowing a car, Gerald drove to Centreville, to try to locate the place Dick had in mind. Driving on past two houses he spotted an empty factory building, which had a sign on it, “For Sale or Lease”. This light green concrete block building would be a God send for him, if only the owners didn’t have a price out of his reach. The only way to find out was to call the number on the sign, and find out. Going to a pay phone he called the number, and Mr. James Rexrode answered. Gerald told Mr. Rexrode he was interested in the green factory building on Burr Oak Street. Mr. Rexrode answered, “Please come over to my place, the Rexrode Funeral Chapel, 215 West Burr Oak Street, and we’ll talk about it.” The funeral chapel was only three blocks from downtown and was easy to find.
Finding the funeral chapel, Gerald met Mr. Rexrode at the door, and was let in. Sitting down, Gerald told Mr. Rexrode about his business making hydraulic jacks, and that he needed a bigger place, as the facility he had, in Grand Rapids, was getting too small. Gerald continued telling Mr. Rexrode that he had seen the building, and he thought the building was just what he needed. As the conversation got warmer, Mr. Rexrode said that he and Mr. Blair, the banker in town, had the building built for a printing company, which made sales receipt books, as an investment. They had paid off the balance of the lease, but they moved to Alabama a little after eight years, because of the high cost of labor in Michigan. They had paid off the balance of the lease, and so we are ready to sell or lease it. Gerald replied, “I’m only interested in purchasing the property, how much do you want for it?” Mr. Blair said, “We are asking $4,200.00 for it. The property had two big lots, room for expansion, and a nice 60 X 60-foot factory building that is just over eight years old”.
Right away bells began ringing in Gerald’s head. He thought, “number one this certainly is nowhere near the price of the $60,000.00 Mr. Miller wanted for his property in Reed City, and number two, the travel distance would be reduced by 160 miles, on most business trips. If he bought the property he could not move much further down the state without moving to another state, which he did not want to do.”
Looking Mr. Rexrode directly in the eye Gerald said, “I want to purchase this property from you, and I really can see no reason why I cannot put the nuts and bolts together to make the deal.
Mr. Rexrode thought,” I could see that Gerald was very serious about the purchase, and thinking that a new manufacturing business in Centreville would be just the thing. “ Further, Mr. Rexrode said, “Give me a $400.00 deposit and I can hold the deal on the property for you.” Gerald replied, “I will fly back to my shop in Grand Rapids and I will send you a check.”
Whereupon the two shook hands, and Gerald headed back to Grand Rapids.
