“Mrs. Thelma Dietz, 1552 Division St., wins the Lady’s Umbrella from Seitner Bros.”
(The Saginaw News, June 15, 1942.)
For several years, starting in 1935, The Saginaw News sponsored a weekly recipe contest. Each week a different Saginaw business provided the prizes. An article chronicling the history of the company furnishing the awards was featured the week before the winners were announced. It sounds complicated; however, it really wasn’t. On June 15, 1942, prizes came from Seitner Brothers, a Saginaw Department Store that was long a Saginaw fixture.
Although long, the article provides a glimpse into the history of the firm and how changing fashion impacted businesses:
“One of Saginaw’s Leading Department Stores Established Here 45 Years Ago: Seitner Brothers Have Built a Reputation for an Unusual Selection of Fine Quality Yard Goods and Silk Fabrics
Started in Saginaw in 1897, the Seitner Brothers department store has grown to be one of Saginaw’s leading stores. The two brothers, Samuel and Adolph, who still manage the store, came here from St. Louis, Michigan where they had previously operated a general dry goods store for 10 years.
Seitner Brothers first located in the one hundred block on Genesee avenue, next to what was at that time the old Oppenheimer Cigar store. Three years later they moved into their present location at 316 E. Genesee.
To give you an idea of the store’s growth since its founding here, there were only 6 clerks in 1897 and the store employs an average of 100 today. Several employees have been with the company for more than 25 years.
‘We believe we have the most complete line of yard goods in Saginaw Valley,’ said genial Sam Seitner. ‘And there certainly is a big difference in the amount of material a lady buys for a dress today and what her mother used to buy. In the old day it took 6-7 yards of material to make a dress alone – and then that was not all – the lining, tape, buttons, hooks and eyes, trimming and other accessories usually amounted to more that the dress. Today 3 ½ yards is the average for a dress and consequently they are more economical, easier to make and far more comfortable.
‘Speaking of old fashioned styles,’ said Mr. Seitner , ‘the old full-length petticoats, some with as many as 4 rows of ruffles, were a big item in the early days of our store. They measured 2 -4 yards around and were usually made of satin or taffeta. The taffeta silk was more popular because of the crackling noise it made when a lady walked, and it was thought that the more noise the petticoat made the more expensive the material. White embroidered full-length petticoats were also very popular. In fact. We have sold as many as 1,500 of these white petticoats in one morning.’
In connection with the yard goods department, the Seitner store carries a large selection of the very finest quality silk fabrics in plain and fancy weaves and in the very latest style trends. ‘You will find no finer collection of silks anywhere in this part of the state,’ explained Mr. Seitner.
The ladies' ready-to-wear department is one of the most complete in Saginaw. "The variety of dresses, coats, suits and sportswear would be a credit to a store In any metropolitan city,’ Mr. Seitner remarked with justifiable satisfaction.
‘Our handkerchief department also is a very important division,’ he went on. ‘Here you will find everything in handkerchiefs from little children's to men's in a complete style and price range. Customers tell us they can always find just the particular handkerchief they are looking for at our store.’
Seitner Brothers also takes pride in their children's department. There is everything from infants' apparel and accessories right up through 'teen age clothes. The boys' section associated with the children's department has everything that young Mr. Saginaw could want in suits, trousers, sportswear, hats, blouses and shirts to mention a few Items.
The Seitner store has specialized on countless Items which appeal to the needs and fancies of Saginaw women. A large toilet goods counter offers the best in standard brands of face powder, perfume and other beauty aids. There is also an up-to-date beauty parlor operated by competent beauticians. Shoes for women and millinery likewise contribute their part to milady's attire.
Seitner Brothers have a New York buying office at 33 W. 34th street in association with one of the largest buying offices in New York City. This gives them the benefit of experienced buyers right at the market in the selection of merchandise and keeping their stocks up-to-the-minute and replenished at all times. Merchandise bought in New York is assembled, packed and shipped from this one central office, thereby offering substantial savings which are reflected in the purchases made by Seitner patrons.
Three very lovely, unusual prizes are offered by Seitner Brothers to recipe contest winners this week.” (The Saginaw News, June 8, 1942.)
Seitner Brothers - eventually it became simply, “Seitner’s” - continued to adapt to changing fashions for over four more decades. In 1948, the expansion of the adjoining S.S. Kresge Co. forced the firm to leave its East Genesee Avenue location and relocate to the southeast corner of Federal Avenue and South Franklin Street. Branch stores were opened - including one in Fashion Square Mall. The 1980s proved to be challenging for Seitner’s and there was a complex series of closures of branches and some of the stores were sold to a chain. In 1989, the downtown Saginaw store on Federal Avenue closed. The branches had closed earlier.
For more information on Thelma Dietz, who won the lady’s umbrella in the June 15, 1942, recipe contest, we turn to her obituary:
“Wife of Charles F. Dietz, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital late Saturday after-noon, age 67 years. Thelma Kepp was born Jan. 16, 1902, in Saginaw and has lived here all of her life. She was employed at the U.S. Graphite Co. for about 20 years, retiring in 1963. She was a member of Holy Family Church, the Altar Society, the Legion of Mary and the Retreat League. She was married to Mr. Dietz, October 17, 1921, who survives her. She also Ieaves several cousins, nieces and nephews.” (The Saginaw News, May 25, 1969).
Mrs. Thelma Dietz’s Timbales of Leftover Ham
1 1/2 cups leftover ham, ground
¼ cup bread crumbs
1 egg well beaten
1 cup milk
1 tbs. shortening, melted
¼ tsp. baking powder
a little paprika
Method: Add ingredients in order given and mix well. Pour into well greased muffin tins. Bake in oven (350) until center is firm or about 20 minutes. Very good to serve with potato salad or macaroni and cheese. (The Saginaw News, June 15, 1942.)
CTK: Surprisingly easy to prepare – except for the grinding, and surprisingly good. The CTK would suggest some type of mustard sauce to accompany the timbales. However, that is another project.
Additional note from CTK: Just in case you need something to do, other than wash dishes, while your ham timbales are in the oven, this link will take you to a more sophisticated version of a timbale...and some great ideas for garnishing and presenting your leftover ham timbales.
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