Kuizema Hardware was a family owned and operated business for three generations. Opened in 1905, it was run by Harm Kuizenga (1852-1939), Henry Kuizema (1892-1991) and Harold Kuizema. In approximately 1989, majority ownership was sold to an employee, Jack Huizinga. The store closed in 1999, after operating for 94 years.

Harm Kuizenga and his family immigrated to Grand Rapids from the Netherlands in 1881. After working as a hardware wholesaler, Harm opened his own store in 1905, with the help of his son, Henry, then 13-years-old. Harm and Henry ran the store together into the 1930s. Henry's son, Harold, joined the family business in 1950, after serving in World War II and attending college.

For the first couple of years, the store was located at the corner of Kalamazoo Avenue and Hall Street. They quickly moved to a larger location at 805 Oakdale Avenue SE (formerly 1269 Oakdale) in 1907. The store remained at the Oakdale location until it closed.

According to a Grand Rapids Press article (1989), a ledger was kept in the back of the store that showed receipts ($4.50) from the first day of business. That ledger is included in this collection.

Sources:

Roelofs, T. (1989, January 15). True Value. Grand Rapids Press, Wonderland (3).

Grand Rapids Press. (1991, June 13). Hardware store owner, Henry Kuizema, dies at 98.

Radigan, M. (1993, April 4). Hardware hardball: little guys stick to nuts-and-bolts as big players move in. Grand Rapids Press (E1).

Kirkbride, K. (1999, October 23). Changing times: hardware store throws in trowel - a sign of the times. Grand Rapids Press (A1).