Wyandotte Business to Close, Owner Thanks Community for 30 Years of Patronage

Betty Krimmel, 77, fought back tears Thursday as she reminisced on 30 years of owning Madelyn's, 3002 First St., in Downtown Wyandotte.

The walls of Krimmel's office, located in a back room not far from the showroom, are covered in photos of family and drawings from some of her five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

"This was my home all day for six days each week for the past 30 years," Krimmel said.

Krimmel doesn't believe in daycare. Many, if not all, of Krimmel's grandchildren and great-grandchildren spent summer days playing and helping around the store.

Despite handwritten signs indicating major markdowns and half empty racks, Krimmel's granddaughter, Hanna, 10, sat behind the register, like she's done so many times, with a proud smile as her grandmother told stories of her time as owner of Madelyn's.

Krimmel purchased the store form Madelyn Nestor in 1983, who opened the woman's clothing store 20 years prior.

"I didn't want to do this," Krimmel said. "This was not my plan to do this. I can't lose sleep every night thinking about how I'm going to pay the electric bill."

Krimmel said she plans to fill her days, once spent in the store, with rounds of golf and card games like bridge and euchre.

Madelyn's is expected to close when all remaining items are sold including clothing, fixtures and racks. The store will not be open past Aug. 31, according to Krimmel.

A lifetime resident of Wyandotte, Krimmel said she has no intention of going anywhere. She thanked her loyal customers and the City of Wyandotte for their many years of patronage.

"It's been a lot of fun all these years," Krimmel said.