From BEEKER’S GENERAL STORE
PEMBERVILLE—The late Mildred Beeker, lovingly referred to as “Miss B,” has her own day in Pemberville.
Beeker’s General Store is celebrating the life and times of Beeker on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Miss B’s influence in the general store, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, will be on display for the celebration.
Part of the town’s original “brick block,” the double building was built by A. Froney for Froney & Bruning and Hobart Bowlus, the first businesses established in the building.
The Zindler Brothers business occupied the building for many years. Miss Beeker’s father, Fred Beeker, worked for the Zindlers for approximately 18 years. He later purchased the business with his brother-in-law, Charles Witker, and changed the name to Beeker & Witker. Fred Beeker became the sole proprietor in 1923.
Mildred, the only child of Fred and Emma Beeker, had to report to the store after school, helping as needed. In 1951, she and her mother continued the store as Beeker’s General Store. A woman-owned business was almost unheard of at the time. The mother and daughter were true pioneers.
After her mother’s death, the store became Mildred’s sole responsibility. As a woman who never married, the store became her life.
A number of youth and locals helped Miss B in the store on a part-time basis. However, she remained the staple until she sold the store to one of those youths, Todd Sheets, who is still the store owner. She sold the store when she was 89 years old and continued to assist for five years. She lived a full life to the age of 99, passing Dec. 26, 2005.
“Without Mildred in the equation, the store wouldn’t be what it is today,” Sheets said about her impact.
A few years ago, Sheets and the store staff decided that the legend of “Miss B” needed to be commemorated. They chose to celebrate “Miss B Day” on the Saturday closest to her March 22 (1906) birthdate.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, the store will host a textile display with the theme “Celebrating the life and times of Miss B.”
Cindy Lohrbach, a local resident and friend of Miss Beeker, had the foresight to purchase and save some of the apparel and dresses, that were part of her daily attire.
Lohrbach will assist Beeker’s display artist Michele Poturalski to build this year’s display.
Other items on display will be “Miss B’s” childhood highchair, her play school desk and the wooden wagon that her father built out of old wooden crates.
“Come see the highchair for yourself and learn who the other two individuals were that used this same high chair),” Sheets said. The desk is on loan from the Barnes Family and there will also be crochet handiwork made by Mildred, along with photos and other commemorative memorabilia.
The store has created a number of product offerings in her honor, including Miss B’s Tea, a soap fragrance, quince jelly, infused honey, a limited-edition (hand-crafted) felted Miss B Mouse, and “her ever-famous grape juice,” Sheets said.
A new offering this year is a T-shirt commemorating Miss B and the building’s 150th anniversary. In keeping with tradition, Sheets said all Miss B’s offerings have been produced by local designers, artists and purveyors. This year’s shirt is designed by local resident Steve Davidson and produced by Tracey Blevins.
Samples and refreshments will be offered as a part of the festivities. “Whether you grew up knowing Miss B or it might be your first-ever visit, all are invited to this year’s Miss B’s Day,” Sheets said.
Beeker’s is located at 222 E. Front St., Pemberville. Additional information may be obtained by calling 419-287-3274.
