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Votruba History
Traverse City was just beginning to show promise in 1874 when Frank Votruba started a tiny harness shop in a wooden building on the edge of the Boardman river behind the Traverse City State Bank. One has to wonder if he ever envisioned that his shop would still be thriving 140+ years later. Frank immigrated to East Jordan from Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, in 1870, according to Gretchen Votruba, who married Frank’s son, William. In 1874 he moved to Traverse City and opened the Votruba Harness Company downtown, making and repairing all sorts of horse gear. He had been trained in leather work in Czechoslovakia and was a certified leather man. In 1878 Frank married Amelia Bartack who was born here in 1856. Amelia’s brother, Tony Bartack, formed a partnership with Charlie Wilhelm and Frank Votruba to build the City Opera House building, a feat which was accomplished in 1891. When the City Opera House was completed, Frank moved the Votruba Harness Company into the east third of the ground floor. While the retail end of the business was located there, he also had a harness repair shop in an attached building out back, which is still there today. Frank and Amelia’s son, William took over the store during the 1920’s after he returned from World War I.
Votruba Harness
When Frank Votruba opened the store in 1874 his stock was mostly horse Gear. Steve Harold, archivist for the Grand Traverse Pioneer & Historical Society, noted that most harness shops at that time may also have sold saddles, sleigh bells, wagon and buggy materials and veterinarian supplies. In addition, they may have carried suitcases, trunks, belts and valises, such as those carried by doctors. Fancy leather collar boxes and hat boxes were common back then as well. According to Gretchen Votruba, who ran the store with her husband, William Votruba (Frank’s son), in the 1950’s and 60’s, Frank employed 11 men at one time. These men built and repaired horse gear out back in the attached harness shop. If you drive along the alley behind the store, you’ll see the attached building where the harness shop was located.
The Glaemer's
William and Gretchen ran Votruba’s until September, 1967, when it was bought by Earl and Martha Glaesmer. Prior to that, Earl was manager of the Sears Roebuck store in Traverse City. Earl had always wanted to own his own business so one day he casually mentioned that to a friend in real estate. The universe was at work, because Bill Votruba had put the store up for sale that very day. The Glaesmers snapped it up! Although they were tempted to re-do the store from time to time, customer outcries prevented them from doing so. Both locals and returning customers from downstate said the vintage nature of the store was what they loved about it. Their children – Diana, Gregory and Kerry were all involved in the store but it was Kerry who eventually took the reins when his father passed away in 1987. He continued to run the store until September of 2022.