Honey Baked Ham store celebrates golden anniversary in Roseville

ROSEVILLE — When Richard Kolleth began working at the Honey Baked Ham store on Gratiot Avenue in 1980, he immediately noticed the continuous line of customers waiting outside for their ham orders.

“At the time, I lived in Roseville on 14 Mile. The long line around the building and just how busy it was fascinated me. Customers were willing to stand in line for 45 minutes, and it was intriguing to me,” he said. “Each ham had to be special. It was up to me to make sure the ham was glazed properly and sliced properly. To me, this was a big deal.”

Kolleth, who has held several positions with the company and is now the franchise business leader, said there are three main areas staff focuses on: ham quality, customer service and store cleanliness.

“Roseville is special to all of us because of its presence in the community,” said Kolleth, who plans to retire in April 2023 after the Easter rush. “It’s the only store on this side of town. It’s really important for all of us to do right by us east siders.”

Kolleth was among the company employees and local dignitaries who gathered at 29888 Gratiot Ave. the morning of Oct. 13 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary ribbon-cutting of the Roseville location. Sandra Maki, event coordinator director for the Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone to the event.

“It is my sincere pleasure today to share with you a little bit of history about Honey Baked Ham. Using a special curing process with their secret recipe glaze, the Honey Baked Ham store creates a one-of-a-kind taste that has been making meals memorable since 1957,” Maki said. “They continue to reinvent their business, adding smoked and roasted turkey breasts, delicious heat-and-serve side dishes and scrumptious desserts.”

According to the website www.honeybaked.com, in 1957 Harry Hoenselaar opened the original Honey Baked Ham store in Detroit on Fenkell Avenue. Hoenselaar created a special curing and cooking procedure, bringing out a one-of-a-kind taste with each ham.

“The Honey Baked Ham Company continues to be a family-owned business and serve customers online and at more than 400 year-round retail locations in 40 states across the United States,” the website states.

Karl Merkle, Honey Baked Ham district manager, also said a few words during the 50-year anniversary ceremony.

“In 1957, Harry Hoenselaar opened the first Honey Baked Ham store in Detroit off of Fenkell (Avenue.) Five years later, Mary and Lou Schmidt started the Honey Baked Ham Co. of Michigan,” Merkle said. “In 1972, they opened this Roseville store. It was their second store that they opened. They’ve been serving the Roseville community for 50 years.

“One of our core values is serving others,” he said. “Just to kind of give you an idea of how many people this Honey Baked Ham has served in the last 50 years, they were glazing 2,200 hams a day. That includes slicing them and also smoking them and glazing them; 2,200 hams a day during our peak. I really do appreciate the support of the community.”

Congratulations on the golden anniversary also came from Roseville Mayor Robert Taylor.

“In this day and age, any kind of business that is able to survive is just amazing by itself,” Taylor said. “But for 50 years, you guys went through COVID like every one of us have. For a business to go through COVID and still be busy right now, your staff is working and keeping the city vibrant. We appreciate it.”

After the ceremony, guests were treated to lunch. They also mingled with staff, including General Manager Tina Gardzinski. She came to the Roseville store 15 years ago. She called it “the best experience.”

“I feel I’m part of the community,” she said.

Gardzinski has connected with the customers over the years. That includes the relationships that have formed with Roseville Community Schools, the Fire Department and the Police Department. Local residents and students also have been employed at the store.