70 | JUNE 30 • 2022 

Looking Back

A Stalwart on 
Broadway Street
T

he Jewish Historical Society’s Annual 
Meeting was on June 12. Once it con-
cluded, I sat down at a table with another 
Smith, Levi Smith. This happenstance would 
lead to today’s “Looking Back.
” Also seated at 
the table were Stacey and Megan Simmons, the 
wife and daughter of Michael 
Simmons, the third-generation 
owner of the Simmons & Clark 
jewelry store in Downtown 
Detroit.
So, after a delightful chat with 
these two delightful people, I 
decided to do a bit of research 
about Simmons & Clark in the 
William Davidson Digital Archive 
of Jewish Detroit History. As usual, the Archive 
has some interesting stories.
Simmons & Clark was established in 1925 
by Fred F. Simmons and Harry Clark at 1535 
Broadway Street. It has been at this same loca-
tion for 97 years. Its website states that Simmons 
and Clark met while working for another jeweler. 
Apparently, they really liked each other, so they 
borrowed $5,000 and opened their own store. 
I found the first mention of Simmons & 
Clark in the Nov. 19, 1926, issue of the Jewish 
Chronicle. It was an announcement for a “com-
mercial” basketball league, citing the store’s spon-
sorship of a team in this league that played in the 
Shaarey Zedek gym.
I also found interesting advertisements for 
Simmons & Clark. My favorite was an ad with 
a nifty slogan in the March 23, 1945, Jewish 
Chronicle: “We Fix Anything That Ticks!”
 Michael Simmons — a good guy, by the way 
— told me a story about his grandfather and 
the legendary Detroit Tiger Hank Greenberg. I 
found it in the “Hollywood Notes” column in 
the May 7, 1937, Chronicle. It seems that Fred 
gave Greenberg a souvenir lucky rabbit’s foot. 
That night, “Hammering Hank” hit a grand slam 
home run. Three days later, Fred gave another 
rabbit’s foot to Hank, who then hit a home run, 
triple and double that evening! (I wonder if 
Simmons & Clark still has some of these souve-

nirs? I could use one).
The Archives also holds 
plenty of evidence about 
the communal work of 
the Simmons and Clark 
team. Along with their 
wives, Lillian Simmons and 
Isabelle Clark, the duo was 
extremely active in the com-
munity. They supported the 
Red Cross Blood Drive and 
War Bonds during World 
War II, as well as Israel Bonds, 
the Allied Jewish Campaign and 
the Jewish National Fund. 
 Fred and Harry were leaders 
in the campaign to build Sinai 
Hospital (Jan. 26, 1945, JN). 
Today, Simmons & Clark 
supports JVS, Gleaners Food 
Bank and Children’s Hospital. 
These are just a few examples 
of the families’ good works.
I must admit, the first 
thing I thought of when 
Stacey Simmons mentioned 
that she was connected to 
the store is its wonderful 
sign. It is a landmark that 
instantly lets you know 
you are on Broadway 
Street in Detroit.
By the way, the JN
also has a current con-
nection to Simmons & Clark. Reporter 
Danny Schwartz’s Grandpa Bob (Robert Earl 
Schwartz), a WWII veteran and jewelry store 
business executive, was a store manager there 
before retiring.
In our constantly evolving modern world, I 
think it’s comforting to know that, after nearly a 
century, Simmons & Clark is still on Broadway, 
still serving its customers. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation 
archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

The Archives also holds 

wives, Lillian Simmons and 
Isabelle Clark, the duo was 
extremely active in the com-
munity. They supported the 
Red Cross Blood Drive and 
War Bonds during World 

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

War II, as well as Israel Bonds, 
the Allied Jewish Campaign and 

 Fred and Harry were leaders 
in the campaign to build Sinai 

JN). 
JN). 
JN

supports JVS, Gleaners Food 
Bank and Children’s Hospital. 
These are just a few examples 
of the families’ good works.

Stacey Simmons mentioned 

nection to Simmons & Clark. Reporter 

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

