117 E Michigan Ave
One of the newer buildings on Main Street, this one replaced a much older frame when built in 1929 specifically for the Foster & Babcock Co, dry good merchants, a company that had been in business in the village for nearly 30 years. This company had been located in the west most section of the E. J. Foster complex, which would then be taken over and remodeled by the E. J. Foster Company to take care of the expansion needs.
Plans for the new building were prepared by Claire Allen & Sons, architects of Jackson. Specific characteristics of Allen designs were incorporated, including the pressed brick façade. Particular attention was given to the lighting arrangement of the store with two large display windows. All shelving and other fixtures were built into the structure. It would have a frontage of 25 feet on Michigan Avenue and a depth of 70 feet at an estimated cost of $5,000.
This is another building that has served many uses, often as a barber shop. It will soon become a donut/deli shop.