Courtesy Photo This is a photo of the storefront of Plath’s Meats in Rogers City. The store has a long and storied history and still provides top-notch grocery products and quality customer service to its customers.

ROGERS CITY – A consistent 112-year presence in this close-knit and historic northeastern Michigan community is Plath’s Meats.

Today’s store front, located on South Third Street, began in 1913 when 23-year-old Emil Plath Sr., a German immigrant who knew little English, settled and opened a meat store called the Sanitary Market. At that time Rogers City, with a population of just over 700 residents, already had three well-established meat markets

Plath brought skills as a butcher, sausage maker and his recipe for “Kasseler Rippchen”, or smoked loin. Perhaps, more importantly, he brought with him a dream along with determination to succeed in America.

Plath’s store receipts for his first day in business totaled $47.50. In today’s dollars this would convert to nearly $1,540.

In 1916, Plath had a new building constructed. It was an advanced design complete with glazed white brick front and terrazzo floor.

Tragedy struck in 1941. Emil Sr’s. wife, Clara, died after a lingering illness. Then, in February 1943, the market was destroyed by a fire. The business was temporarily relocated to First Street in the former Mel’s Market, while a new market was being built.

In 1946, a locker plant opened in the new store’s rear portion. With this addition, a farmer or family could rent a locker for $20 per year. The locker plant eventually was discontinued in the 1950s as home freezers became popular.

AN ERA OF INNOVATION AND EXPANSION

Emil’s son, Emil Plath Jr., “Moe” to all who knew him, joined the family business after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was the youngest of five children and the only son.

In 1950 the father-son formed a partnership. Shortly they began to aggressively promote their famous smoked pork loins. They utilized the skills of an advertising agency. Soon people across the region were ordering smoked loin and other products.

In 1955 the senior Plath retired. The business expanded, with an additional smokehouse and a larger processing area added.

In 1958 Moe purchased a delivery truck. With the recent opening of the Mackinac Bridge this enabled Plath’s to serve Upper Peninsula customers. Plath’s web site stated, “The truck began delivering meats to over 100 restaurants within a 150-mile radius of Rogers City.”

Moe and two of his sons traveled to Germany to view the smokehouses and other equipment being used by German master meat-cutters and butchers.

In 1984 another building addition was added which would house state-of-the-art equipment. The updated and expanded smokehouse could do the work of three of the older smokehouses. Two more additions were completed in 1993 and 1999.

Mark, one of the five Plath brothers, resided in northwestern Michigan. In 2010 Plath’s opened a Petoskey store on East Mitchell Road.

With the advent of the world-wide web, in 2014 Plath’s introduced a web site offering detailed product and shipping information. John Plath commented, “Currently, our web site is in the midst of being upgraded and orders are temporarily being taken over the telephone at 989.734.2232.”

Shipping orders serve the nation’s 50 states and territories. The most popular items purchased at the store and on-line are bacon, smoked loin, ham, and turkey.

The store’s meat, arriving in 2,500-pound shipping containers, is procured from well-respected and high quality upper Mid-west livestock producers.

John commented, “Just before Thanksgiving and into the New Year, our mail order shipments are a massive undertaking. We literally fill a United Parcel Service semi-trailer full to the rear door!”

THE PLATH LOGO AND OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS

The Plath’s Meats logo of a well-dressed pig with a top hat has a history which goes back nearly 70 years. John stated that his late father had a childhood friend design their prominent brand image.

Originally called the Sanitary Market, Plath’s went through several name changes from Plath’s Market finally to Plath’s Meats in 1988.

Asked about the annual pounds of meat sold, John responded, “Tons!”

After a 40 plus year career, Plath brothers Tim and James recently retired. Today, Plath brothers John and Mark, lead the business. Already deeply engaged with the business is John’s son, Jonathan. He is preparing to become the next generation of leadership.

John commented, “People who were acquainted with our father, Moe, knew he put in long, long hours. His shrewd business sense took what was a small-town store to a nationally known entity.”

He added, “You can only do so much business in a small town. Our grandfather and our dad were very wise men. Grandfather had a good product while our father was the salesman who got it going beyond Rogers City.”

Throughout the year Plath’s offers a ten percent discount to active-duty military personnel and veterans. John added, “As in years past on Veterans Day, we donate 300 pounds of bacon and 200 pounds of pork sausage to Petoskey’s Odawa Casino to serve a complimentary veteran’s breakfast.”

John and Mark both emphasized the success of the business is not alone based on quality product offerings and customer service, but by dedicated and skilled long-term employees.