Earlier this month, The Romeo Post broke the news that the old Emmett's Energy building was being torn down to make way for Bruce Orchards - a mixed-use development. For 40 years, Emmett's Energy was located on 70790 Van Dyke, the east side of Van Dyke south of 33 Mile Road in Bruce Township. It sold woodburning stoves and firewood.
Karen Hamilton took this picture for the November 21, 1979 issue of The Romeo Observer. It shows owner Collin Emmett without a coat standing next to a sign promoting the store in front of the building while it's snowing. In that year, Collin opened the business that helped people save energy after facing years of high fuel bills. He explained, "I decided not to help buy foreign oil any more and save money at the same time...So, I put a wood stove in my home. I was so impressed with its heating capacity that I felt I should tell the Romeo area about wood as an alternative fuel to oil, electricity, or natural gas."
It may seem old-fashioned to use wood for heat efficiency, but there was a good reason. During the 1970s, the United States was facing an oil crisis, which sent the price of home heating oil skyrocketing. Using wood was one way to save on energy bills. In addition, retail management is a tradition within the Emmett family. Collin's father Edward operated the Romeo Hardware store from 1939 to 1966 at 131 South Main Street. FAMS Printing is currently at that spot.
Before Emmett's Energy, a nursery owned by John Riemann occupied the space. He ran his business from the 1950s to his death in 1973.
In the beginning, Emmett's Energy sold 100 percent wood appliances, including a wood stove line named Black Bart. By the time it moved to its new location across the street in 2019, they offered 80 percent gas (powered) machines. As Collin explained at the grand opening that year, "Gas fireplaces now have advanced technology, a realistic flame and heat efficiency."
Sadly, Collin passed away on May 15, 2026, and less than two months later, the building that originally housed his business was torn down. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on. Emmett's Energy has two locations, one on 70945 Van Dyke in Bruce Township and the other on 4994 Dixie Highway in Waterford Township. According to its website, it has expanded its products to include hearths, stoves, fireplaces, wood and gas fire pits, bbq grills, and casual patio and rustic furniture.
To learn more about Collin Emmett and Emmett's Energy, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890. If you want to search for articles on that topic, you can find the Romeo newspapers like The Romeo Observer on the Suburban Library Cooperative's Local History Digital Collection website.
Images and sources courtesy of the Romeo Community Archives; Melvin E. and Joan D. Bleich Collection, The Romeo Observer, September 6, 1973; p.2-A and November 21, 1979, p.15-A; The Record, September 11-17, 2019, p.4 and May 27-June 2, 2026, p.5; Romeo Telephone Directories; EmmettsEnergy.com; and Romeo Post Facebook page.