Celebrating a very special 80th anniversary, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland is honored to be making spirits bright for so many generations! Because of our community of Christmas enthusiasts, Bronner’s has grown from the most humble of beginnings into The World’s Largest Christmas Store®. Let’s celebrate with a look back at how we are making Christmas memories together. Plus a nostalgic GIVEAWAY*!
Looking Back
It’s hard to believe just how quickly time flies! Certainly, Wally Bronner must have felt that way when he looked back …
Featured: Bronner’s Storefronts Glass Ornament (1263699)
Starting in 1945, Wally’s background in sign painting and window trimming became the perfect launching pad into “all things Christmas”! Believing a Christmas decorations exhibit would be beneficial in establishing the new business, Wally and his friend, Fred Bernthal, who worked as a part-time sales rep, sent out invitations to mayors, city managers, directors of public works departments, chamber of commerce directors, and downtown associations.
These two exhibitions proved a successful launching pad. Guests continued visiting even though Wally had packed the displays in a spare garage at his parents’ home. Realizing he needed a place to accommodate these customers, Wally rented (and filled!) an old, vacant, two-room school house in 1952.
It seemed like a perfect fit for the young business until Wally found out the school board planned to raze his rented building in order to make more playground space.
At the prompting of his father Herman, who believed building would be more economical than renting, Wally and Irene made the difficult decision to build … and go into debt.
1954
Bronner’s Main Showroom
(Pictured above, the property where Bronner’s Main Showroom would later be built, circa 1938.)
Wally was glued to the drafting board. With the advice and support of his father, Herman, who became a business advisor, facilitator, encourager and enabler, they together built the first permanent structure for Bronner’s Main Showroom. (Today this building is the office headquarters of Star of the West Milling Company.)
What’s more, much of the construction was completed by his father, a skilled mason.
Bronner’s main showroom featured
- Christmas Home Décor
- Yard Décor
- Nativities
- Commercial Decorations and
- Artificial Flowers
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Thanks to the forward-thinking of city manager, Herbert Keinath, Wally and Irene Bronner had purchased land in 1965, which would go on to become the location of the Bronner’s you know and love today!
1966
Bronner’s Tannenbaum Shop
Bronner’s continued to experience growth, thanks to the blessing of God. As a result, the Frankenmuth State Bank was acquired and converted in 1966 to Bronner’s Tannenbaum Shop.
The Tannenbaum Shop featured
Before the Tannenbaum Shop opened, ornaments, trees/wreaths, & lights were available at the original store.
Today, Bronner’s former Tannenbaum Shop is home to the Vinyl Record Bank, popular among music enthusiasts and vinyl collectors.
1971
Bronner’s Bavarian Corner
Bronner’s was steadily outgrowing the two locations. Consequently, Aunt Hattie’s corner store, Hubinger Grocery — a 3 generations-long, family-run business from Wally’s maternal side — would become Bronner’s third location.
In 1971, Bronner’s Bavarian Corner completed the trio of buildings at the top-of-the-hill district in Frankenmuth.
Bronner’s Bavarian Corner featured
- Steins
- Decorative carved candles
- Hummels
- European oil paintings
The Frankenmuth Brewing Co. has since acquired Bronner’s former Bavarian Corner.
Bronner’s … Back To The Future —
Pictured below, Wally Bronner’s grandson, third-generation Dietrich Bronner, stands at the top of the hill in Frankenmuth at the intersection of Tuscola and Main Streets in front of Bronner’s original three-store location!
1977
Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
Bronner’s Makes A Merry Move
With the consolidation of three stores into one new location, families have been making merry memories on 25 Christmas Lane with Bronner’s since 1977!
What’s more, it’s also here that Bronner’s Christmas Decorations was renamed Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, where we were blessed to experience continued growth — prompting several additions — to best serve our WONDERFUL community of Christmas enthusiasts from ALL AROUND THE WORLD!
As a result, Bronner’s now offers 2.2 acres — that’s 1.7 football fields in mansplaining — of shopping Christmas cheer all throughout the year under ONE roof! And if you have been to Bronner’s before, you may be thinking ‘the math ain’t mathing.’ Well, that’s because Bronner’s entire building complex, which includes our stock rooms, shipping and receiving areas, and office spaces, actually covers 7.35 acres (5.5 football fields) in total! And we haven’t even included our additional warehouse spaces!
All in all, Bronner’s rests on 45 acres with 27 of those acres beautifully landscaped and meticulously kept by our dedicated maintenance team! It is also here that you’ll find our exclusive, life-sized fiberglass Nativity set. Iconic, LARGER-THAN-LIFE 17-foot Santas and 15-foot snowmen, along with a myriad of other fun photo ops to make merry memories!
Additionally, Bronner’s enchanting, ½-mile-long Christmas Lane is illuminated every evening from dusk until midnight by approximately 100,000 dazzling lights!
Bronner’s Replica Silent Night Memorial Chapel, Too!
But building “The World’s Largest Christmas Store!”® was not necessarily the legacy Wally Bronner dreamed of dedicating his life to. It was honoring Jesus, his personal Lord and Savior, in everything he did. (Colossians 3:17). And that heart is what led him to erect a memorial chapel in thanksgiving to God.
His son, Wayne Bronner shares about the beloved chapel on the 200th Anniversary of Silent Night:
Making Memories … A Family Tradition + GIVEAWAY*!
It’s because of YOU that Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland is proud to be “The World’s Largest Christmas Store!”®
North Pole Transplants
This little girl could never have imagined that there would come a day she’d be working at the very place she made merry memories as a child!
This photo from the mid ’90s is super special to me because it’s one of the rare times we could share the magic of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland with my oma and aunt (taking the photo), who had come to visit us from Germany — where my mama was born and raised.
My family relocated to the area in the early 2000s from downstate. So naturally my mama came to work for Bronner’s first. I followed in her footsteps right after high school graduation. She is enjoying retirement after working 20 WONDER-filled years for Bronner’s.
I can hardly believe I will be coming up on my 23rd year myself! As a matter of fact, we were just one of many families working together at Bronner’s!
Spreading Christmas Cheer Far And Near
Affectionately known as PB&J, Jo Anne and Bill moved to Michigan from Minnesota in the 1980s when they accepted a pastorate role.
Jo Anne shares the story of this July 1988 photo:
“We were new to
Michigan and as guests came, we would take them to Bronner’s.”
She continues, “Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland is our go-to spot whenever out-of-town friends, family or even missionaries come to visit!“
Santa Claus Is Coming To Bronner’s …
Merry memories are also shared by all of Wally and Irene Bronner’s children and grandchildren, as recalled to author, Jessica Shepherd, in a special to Mlive,
“… happy memories from the different phases of the family business. There are recollections of seeing Santa in the store as a kid, and playing with fake, Styrofoam snow.”
Read the full Mlive article: Celebrating 80 years of Bronner’s: Inside the world’s largest Christmas store
Pictured, a young Maria Bronner-Sutorik visiting with Santa.
On The Right Track … To Making Memories!
Lori shares a bicentennial memory:
“After building a flop of a float for homecoming our junior year, we planned as seniors to do it right! Our sharp, shiny locomotive “smoked” from dry ice in the smoke stack, and the wheels moved via hidden seniors. No doubt, the icing on the cake was our skirt wrap and fringe from Bronner’s! As a result, we took first place in the homecoming float competition!”
Bronner’s Commercial Display is still your “stop” for FLOAT MATERIALS!
View Bronner’s Bavarian Parade floats through the decades:
Life Lessons For The Young & Young At Heart
Wally’s generous nature made such an impression on so many, to be sure. Of his memories at Bronner’s, Nicholas shares,
“I remember as a child my father would bring me to the store and tell me, ‘don’t touch it if it’s not yours.’ Well, one time I grabbed something and accidentally broke it and he [my father] was frustrated with me. Wally was nearby, and I remember him saying with a calm voice not to worry about it – that I was a kid and it was OK.”
Generations Of Making Merry Memories
Pictured with her beloved Grandpa and sister, we thank Julie for sharing this heartwarming photo and memory with us!
“My grandparents had been going to Frankenmuth and Bronner’s. They took my mom when she was little — and so when my sister and I were little, we all went.
“Now it’s 4 generations of my family that have been shopping at Bronner’s!”
Extra, Extra! Read All About It! BRONNER’S GIVEAWAY*!
We’re celebrating Bronner’s 80th anniversary with a GIVEAWAY*!
Simply SHARE YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BRONNER’S IN THE COMMENTS BELOW THIS POST to be entered for a chance to win one of FIVE vintage, newsprint editions of our “50th Anniversary Special Edition Magazine” from 1995!
We’d also LOVE to see your earliest photos from making memories at Bronner’s. For an additional entry, email photos with your story to 80thAnniversary@bronners.com
How To Enter Bronner’s 80th Anniversary GIVEAWAY*
- All submissions must comment with one of your favorite memories at Bronner’s on this post, below.
- For an additional entry, email one or more photos of your earliest memories at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland to 80thanniversary@bronners.com.*
*Giveaway photo submission constitutes the entrant’s agreement that the photo or photos submitted are their sole property and herby grants Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland use of the image for the purpose of community-building on our social networks or for marketing and advertising.
Giveaway Terms & Conditions
Our team will review all comments and photo submissions submitted by 11:59 p.m. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025 and announce a winner on Friday, December, 5, 2025. Winners will be notified by email and have 14 days to respond to claim their prizes.
- First Prize: “50th Anniversary Special Edition Magazine” from 1995, a Christmas Memories Journal Book + a keepsake, Bronner’s Souvenir Store Buildings Magnet
- Second, Third, Fourth & Fifth Prize: “50th Anniversary Special Edition Magazine” from 1995 + a keepsake, Bronner’s Souvenir Store Buildings Magnet
Entrants must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and void where prohibited. Bronner’s staff and immediate family members are not eligible.
Bronner’s reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the giveaway at any time.
GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED, and winners have been notified by email.
We still welcome you to share your beloved memories!
Celebrate 80 Years Of Merry Memory Making!
We’re looking forward to making even more Christmas memories with you in the years to come!
Thank you for 80 WONDER-filled Years!
SHOP: Bronner’s Anniversary Souvenirs
Find More Fun …
Keep an eye out for these fun artifacts on your next visit to Bronner’s!
What are some interesting tidbits and trivia about “The World’s Largest Christmas store”®?! We ‘spill the beans’ in our Bronner’s trivia post!
Story feature by Jessica Shepherd for Saginaw and Bay City News, Mlive –
Will you post who won? Just curious if these are the winners?
Thank you for checking in, Justin. We sent you an email on December 1st. We will resend that again today.
Bronner’s has been a part of our holiday traditions since I was a small child. Every year, we would celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, decorate for Christmas on Friday, then visit Bronner’s on Saturday as a family to get even more Christmas decorations! It was a favorite tradition for all of us, especially my Mom who loved decorating our house and church for Christmas; and she would always buy new items every time we went! We even saw Wally during one of our annual visits as he was around greeting guests! It was such a special tradition that even now that we are grown up and married, we still take our spouses and our kids! One of our most precious memories came when my Mom was diagnosed with heart disease but still insisted that we take our annual trip to Bronner’s even though she now had to be wheeled around in her wheelchair. As always, we all had a blast together, taking family photos at different spots throughout the store. That year would be my Mom’s last visit; and there was no other place that she would rather have spent that Thanksgiving weekend than Bronner’s! We always loved that Wally made sure that everyone knew that Christmas was about the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ! Our Mom believed that, too; and that’s why we know that we will see her again someday!
My first time at Bronner’s was when my daughter moved to Michigan for her PhD
at Michigan State. Evey year I would visit and every year a trip to Bronner’s was on my list to visit. The ornaments I was able to buy hat were specific to interests for those I was buying for. I could spend all day each time just looking. She moved back to the PNW in 2018, however if she makes a trip back out I’m going too! My favorite store in the world and I’ve missed it. I do receive your catalog and get updates in new items.
Thank you, Bonner’s, for all the memories!
I’m very old now, but have such delightful memories iof visiting there many times… childhood into adulthood.
Being raised in Detroit, it was always like a mini vacation to have a day at the Wonderland. Ornaments in every theme ever imagined!!! Wonderful dinners, too.
My favorite place was the Silent Night Chapel. So quiet and meaningful. Celebrating the real meaning of Christmas!
Congratulations on your Anniversary!
My mom brought me to Bronners for the first time when I was 15. I remember walking into the store and looking up at all of the decorations and never looking down. I was mesmerized by all of the decorations around the store. I was so happy to be in Christmas land. I remember telling my mom I want to work here when I retire. This fact still holds true today. I love Christmas 24/7! I visit this store multiple times a year and the Silent Night Memorial Chapel is the best place to sit and just be for a few minutes. It’s so incredibly peaceful. Thank you for helping to make core memories for me!!
My wife and I went with my brother and a friend to see the CHRISTmas wonderland. We planned the trip and a mini vacation. We could not believe our eyes when we entered the store. Christmas everywhere. I found a large plastic light up Santa face that we had when I was a kid,I had to buy it.Then we went outside and saw the memorial silent night chapel, our mouths droip open it was just like the real silent night chapel we saw on a trip to Germany. Your company does Christmas like no other. Thank you and an early Merry Christmas!