Do you love to be immersed in culture? The Polish Art Center surrounds visitors with Polish music and customs! Located in the “pinky peninsula” of lower Michigan, The Polish Art Center, opened in 2016. This store has appeared in my Facebook feed for sometime and I’ve always paused for a look-see. On this July morning, I was about to embark on this Polish Emporium! Join me!
I couldn’t wait to finally see this shop in person!
Entering The Polish Art Center
“Hello!” a kind voice greeted me as I bounded over the threshold. Unable to see the source of the warm welcome, I called out, “Good morning!”
The vibrant colors welcomed me! I felt as though I’d just stepped in from a cobbled street in Augsburg at Weihnachtsmarkt, the annual Christmas market. The array was dazzling! I wanted to see everything all at once! I took a deep breath and decided to start at the back of the store and work my way forward.
Polish Trinkets
as well as pisanki egg art all waited patiently for purchase.
As I eyed the pisanki eggs, the clerk offered, “The owner even gives classes on decorating this style of eggs.” I responded with nostalgia, “I used to read this book (Rechenka’s Eggs) to my class every year and we would color paper pisanki eggs for our springtime bulletin board.” When I turned around I had found the source of the kind voice who’d greeted me. He was smiling behind the wooden counter. His white hair showed decades of life experience. His eyebrows bounced, “My wife was a teacher, too.” After sharing introductions, Bob and I chatted about teaching, kids, family, art and birch juice.
I was so engrossed with seeing so many treasures and sharing our connections that I forgot to photograph Baltic Amber jewelry. It’s another specialty from northern Poland.
Birch Juice
“I saw you looking at the birch juice.” He commented. “Yes. I’ve never heard of it before.” I shrugged. “There’s a toddler who comes in here and points his parents right to this display. He loves this stuff.”
Collected in early spring, much like tapping maple trees, the sap from the birch tree is known to have “amino acids, minerals, enzymes, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and it is well known for its detoxifying properties.”
Bob
Bob had picked up a wooden toy of chickens with strings attached to demonstrate. As he swirled the paddle, the weight pulled the strings making the chickens peck.
Boleslawiec Stoneware
Years ago my mother, Marcia Bunek Meade, had brought me a Polish Boleslawiec platter from her travels with her sisters, Emelia and Glory. I have treasured this hand-painted, oven-safe serving dish. Now before me laid a large selection of artful stoneware. “Each one is hand painted.” Bob informed.
The Polish artists use the blue and green patterns in their costumes and Boleslawiec pottery.
“In fact,” Bob continued, “If you turn it over and see “UNIKAT” on the back it means that particular artist has been there over a decade and has freedom to paint their own designs. These cost more.”
Bob picked up the peach flowered spoon rest (the second in from the left). “See, this one is done by an experienced painter.” (I believe the price was $60.00.) Then he chose the all blue one. (bottom left corner) The price was $32.00.
Gifts
I chose a mug decorated with cats and mice for our daughter and a wooden wolf toy for our son. I found some children’s books. “All Cats Speak Polish” and “Brothers In Arms: The True Story of Wojtek And The Soldiers Who Loved Him.” This was the story about a bear who had been adopted by a troop of soldiers during WWII! I have enjoyed the fascinating story.
The Polish Art Center History
The Polish Art Center’s story begins in Hamtramck, Michigan just north of Detroit in 1958 when .Joseph Kalenkiewicz established The Polish Art Center. It had been popular with the Polish immigrants who lived in the area. Later in 1973, Joseph sold his shop to Raymond and Joan Bittner, who at 22 years old, had carried a long desired to own a shop filled with rich Polish heritage.
As a young man Raymond had studied at Jagiellonian University in Poland. From then on Raymond held tightly to his family lineage. Raymond and Joan Bittner were eager to continue serving the Polish community in Hamtramck.
Years later, their daughter, Kathleen Bittner Koch, and her husband, Tom, had moved to Cedar to start a family farm. As they drove through downtown Cedar, there were Polish eagle flags hung from the lampposts. “I got goosebumps.” Kathleen told Rachael on a YouTube interview. “To be able to move from one Polish community to another.”
When a downtown Cedar storefront became available, Kathleen jumped at the opportunity. Growing up in the retail business, Kathleen felt confident. Her husband reluctantly followed in step. Now the duo helps to plan the Cedar Polka Fest and hosts Polish craft classes. A food truck, featuring Polish delights, sets up at the store once a week. “The whole lot is packed.” Bob had beamed. As well, with nearby “Pleva Meats” closing, Kathleen hopes to begin supplying frozen Polish foods to her customers.
Visit The Polish Art Center
I believe we all crave connection and a sense of belonging in our lives. Even with my diluted heritage, I revel in the richness of the traditions of my great grandparents: Irish, French, German and Polish.
I applaud Kathleen’s and Tom’s dedication to their shop and the Cedar community. Kathleen and her family even go to Poland once a year to purchase items for their store.
Visiting The Polish Art Center is an experience that one will always remember! I encourage you to take a trip! Online orders can be made, too, through their website. (See Resources)
Resources:
Bob, store clerk and quick friend
The Polish Art Center website
My North article by Chris Loud
Real Estate With Rachel YouTube Interview
