Patch of History: The Many Faces of the B & C Grocery Building

A Royal Oak historic landmark has had a few looks over the years but ultimately settled on its original salmon-colored porcelain enameled metal panels.

Formally known as the B & C Grocery Building, the two-story 18,000-square foot building at 417-19 S. Main St. was built in 1939.

After the building closed its doors as a supermarket in the 1960s, the Guardian National Corp., an insurance firm, transformed the former grocery store into an office, spending approximately $50,000 on brick and a shingled mansard roof, according to a Daily Tribune article published in 1971.
The building was abandoned in 1996, but in 2005, Jon A. Carlson's Real North, LLC renovated the building yet again and tore off the "updates" to reveal the original metal panels still in place. Taking advantage of federal historic preservation credits, $2.5 million was invested in building renovations, according to the Michigan Historical Center.

The commercial building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. 

The building is now home to the Bastone empire, which also includes Craft, Vinotecca and Monk Beer Abbey. Over the summer, the Bastone completed more renovation work but did not alter the facade, The initials "B & C" still adorn the the building's Art Deco/Moderne panels.