DeRosa’s Grocery

1959 South Cedar Street, Holt, Michigan

Status: Still Standing

Opened: Circa 1940s

Architect: Unknown

Built around the 1940s, the commercial building at 1959 South Cedar Street was at one time owned by William J. and Peggy Helen Bollock, and later operated as Bill’s Place, a teen dance hall.

In 1950, Italian-born Anthony and Ida DeRosa came to Holt from Lansing and purchased the building, becoming one of the most well-known and longest lasting business owners in the community. Originally, they continued a similar establishment, renaming it “Anthony’s Drive-In” and remodeled the first floor hall. They planned to rent it out for special events as well. The DeRosas served breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as short order, sandwiches, soups, and ice cream. Initially, the DeRosas lived in the second floor apartment.

Soon, the business evolved and turned into a grocery. By 1952, DeRosa’s Val-U-Way Food Market, selling food, fresh meat and produce, as well as wine and beer. DeRosa’s Grocery became a staple and mainstay in Holt for decades. Anthony DeRosa was even later elected to office in Delhi Township, serving as a trustee for several years.

The family also expanded their operations. They constructed a new building to the south of the grocery and opened Rosario’s American and Italian Cuisine. The family also later opened J.D.’s Dairy Delight, which transformed into Sweet Sensations next door to the north. See separate entries.

The DeRosas closed the store, which had evolved into a party or convenience store, in 2012. The building was sold and it still operates as a convenience store.