All photos and text by Kevin Harrison
November 15, 2014

The front entrance of Gibraltar Trade Center; the former Joshua Doore furniture warehouse in the 1970s.

The main viewing area inside the red entrance, which was once an extension of their carpet department.

Here is the entrance to the show area, where all the gun, knife and card shows would locate.

The front area where outdoor vendors would congregate during the summer months.

Notice image on the right: former WWE star Chris Jericho from around ten years ago... there were over a dozen of these.

An empty aisle in the east side of the building, adjacent to the trade show area.

One thing was for certain: no matter where you parked or entered, you knew where you were.

This was the main inside entrance into the former Joshua Doore public showroom.

For those not interested in the vendors or displays, there was always something witty from the ceiiling.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

About two-thirds of the way through this visit, I approached the area I thought would be of most interest.  Having remembered my prior visit from a year ago, I found the two picture frames with photos of various vendors and the activities taken place over the 30-plus years of the center's existence.  Some of the photos had that classic yellow look about them, the hairstyles were different, the clothing had changed.  But this montage showed all the happy times and, I hoped, could disspell the unfortunate rumors surrounding the stigma long associated with major resale shops or flea markets.

Unfortunately, there was a chain barrier preventing up-close access to the display and, since my zoom camera was dead on arrival, I feared I wouldn't be able to get too many concrete images from the past.

Just then, an older gentleman walked in from out of nowhere.  Dressed casually and rather quiet, he began to push the links forward.  My first reaction (to that) is always one of embarassment, as I said to myself: if he can do this, then I could have done it minutes before!  I was still studying the photos when he spoke.

"I've got files and files of those back in the office," was his greeting.  My first question: How did you get your hands on all of them?  Then he spoke again, casually and matter-of-factly: "I'm the guy that started this place thirty-four years ago."  Indeed, it was Jim Koester, the man behind the vision which began on Woodruff Road -- in Gibraltar -- back in 1980.  It was just amazing to me that of all the people there, he just happened to be there to speak to me.

Though the image has yellowed over 30 years, a close look at this aerial shot will show the Trade Center in its original size. Note "The Plaza" (closest to I-75) which served as a large billboard.

Naturally, my brain was just teaming with possible questions.  I mentioned this site to him, and he acknowledged it without really saying anything to that regard.  I thought: Uh-oh, did I speak too soon or out of turn?  This is probably one person who you don't dare try to push things on during his last week of existence Downriver!  Taking a casual glance toward his direction, the disappointment was slightly evident, understandably so.  But this didn't seem to be a man who would, or could, let out emotions easily.  Whether it was natural or self-controlled, he kept his composure.

"So, you started this?", I asked.

"Yes," he said, gesturing at the montage.  "and this is everything that went on, starting on a street called Woodruff..."

"Behind Carlson High School?"  A nod of the head.

"It's just amazing how the looks have changed," I observed.

"It is," he replied.  "When I started, I barely had enough space."  He gestured toward the aerial photo (pictured at right).  "I started with this much in 1980," he said, pointing to about half the width of the current-day parking lot.  "Then, I moved here in 1982."

"You replaced Joshua Doore," I said.  Another nod: "That's right, that's right..." 

By now, I realized my job was not to interject, but to let him talk.  So he did, in a reflective tone of one who didn't really want to give up what he was doing.

"In 1990 I built (the complex) in Mt. Clemens.  And in 1993, I doubled the size of this place."

And now, 21 years later, having spawned local imitations, his investment Downriver was literally going in the books.  Never mind the image, the negative connotations it could generate -- the man was reflecting on all the years Downriver, photos of which jumped out at you.

Old friends.  New friends.  People prideful of their booths.  The general economy, through time, could not dampen the spirits.  This was people's hobby, the chance to be their own boss.  Smiles in almost every photo, and they were not staged grins.  They welcomed the exposure.  This is what made them happy.  The man who made this possible looked distant as he slowly finished moving the chain barriers as close to the wall as possible.

"This has been fun, but now, next week, I go to Mt. Clemens."  Finality ringed through.

At this point, I was just too dumbfounded to say much more.  Would this be proper etiquette for a reporter?  No.  But for one who loves the area's past as I do, it was ultimately fitting, and probably showed more of the man's gentle, humble, unassuming manner than a set of rehearsed questions could.  

He was overlooking the social media frenzy of today, and thinking back to his roots.  His face told the story.  As a history buff, this is what you allow to happen.  A story in expressions tells much more than something typed up from notes.

He left as quietly as he came.  Even with all I've just said in this space, I thought there had to be one more comment in me.  It was a struggle, but I simply said thank you: "People here are really appreciative of what you've done."  One more nod of the head, and off he was to check on his vendors, like he had for the past 1,770-plus weekends Downriver.

Many public reactions have been boisterously positive about Menard's Home Improvement moving in to take its place, saying the move should have come much sooner to "clean up the image."  I would venture to say that people who say that have probably not walked through those doors themselves.  Like books and covers, interiors are not judged by exteriors... especially here.  That could have been the first time I ever walked into that building, and the photos would have told me that I was among friends... beyond what social media could provide.  An era is ending.  But not the wonderment of it all.

Often imitated, never duplicated: That is Gibraltar Trade Center after 34 rich years Downriver.

This area was the center of activity in the east end of the complex... likely GTC's version of a Blue Light Special.

Although not an original vendor, The Body Shop shows its thanks for becoming a landmark at Gibraltar Trade.

Squint carefully at this photo, and it almost looks like the Trade Center is still in its heyday.

Walking these halls resembled being in a time warp; exactly as styled during the Joshua Doore days.

We didn't get the name of this vendor, but he was still doing a brisk business on his second-from-last day here.

One last look down at one of the main hallways inside the old showroom area... the appliances were on markdown.

The mattress warehousing area would have been the main furniture display area in the Joshua Doore days.

Fixtures were freely for sale. This bench was located in the main cafeteria area... it was in good shape.

As of now, only based in Mt. Clemens... but Gibraltar Trade Center will never forget its adopted roots in Taylor.

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