By Dennis Volkert
“Downtown: 200 Years of Doing Business in Sturgis” premieres at 3 p.m. April 26 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.
Tickets are $10 at sites throughout downtown, or $12 online at sturgesyoung.com.
It is produced by Mike Mort of Equity Studios, and is the latest in the “Windows To Our Past” series. The film is narrated by Tim Brown of Kalamazoo.
The documentary is a 200-year story of doing business in the heart of Sturgis. From the era of wooden sidewalks and hitching posts, then gas lights and Model Ts, downtown long has been the center of culture for the Sturgis community. This film explores the early days, merchants throughout history and evolution of enterprises.
During production, Mort said he frequently was astounded by details that were revealed.
“I was surprised to find out one of the first businesses in our village was a big log cabin hotel,” he said. “But as one thinks about it, traveling for days, in a covered wagon on dusty roads, when one arrived in the new village, a hot bath and a comfortable bed would be in high demand. Those migrating to the Sturgis prairie wanted an immediate place to rest. Ergo, ‘Let’s build a hotel!’ I was also surprised at the rules for bicycling, and if you broke those rules, you could be ined, or even put in jail. Imagine that!”
Mort was continually reminded that there was a time when downtown was “the only town.”
“There were no convenient stores along the highway, no big box stores to get lost in. Everything was just there, all in one place,” Mort said. “There, you would find little shops that opened onto main street, with upstairs offices and gathering halls, even places for dancing. On the corner you could buy groceries. Then, go next door and order a tailored suit. Another door down, you could pick up your prescription or walk upstairs and get your teeth cleaned. And coming to town was a big event. You planned for it. You dressed up for it. You made a day of it.”
