Merkel Brothers

The Merkel Furniture and Carpet One story begins in 1912, when German-born Martin Merkel built a large brick building on the southern end of downtown Chelsea. After an auto part shop at the location closed, he sold the property to his son, Ferdinand Merkel in 1924. ‘Ferd’ had expressed a great interest in starting his own hardware business in downtown Chelsea, and was thrilled with the opportunity to leave the family farm and start his own business. In 1930, Ferd’s younger brother, Norbert ‘Norb’ Merkel, also left the farm and joined the company as a partner. Thus the Merkel Brothers family business was born, selling hardware, flooring, and furniture to the citizens of Chelsea and surrounding areas.