The 130-Year-Old Frankenmuth Woolen Mill Grew Like Crazy During Covid

Frankenmuth — Most people come here for the famous Zehnder's chicken dinner, to get a taste of Christmas in July at Bronner's, or simply to spend an afternoon wandering the Bavarian-style streets lined with shops, bakeries, and breweries.

But tucked among all that German charm is a business that encapsulates Michigan pride: The Frankenmuth Woolen Mill.

It first opened in 1894, making it the oldest continuously operating woolen mill in Michigan. More than 130 years later, they're still manufacturing all-natural wool products in the same historic factory, using some of the same time-tested machinery.

The retail store is connected directly to the working mill, and owners Matt and Abby Curtis were nice enough to take me behind the scenes and give me an exclusive tour of the entire operation.

At first, the mill was focused on making hats, gloves, and other woolen gear to help Michiganders survive the brutal winters. Local farmers would bring in raw wool from their sheep and, in return, leave with everything their families needed to make it through the cold months.

During World War I, the mill produced thousands of pairs of wool socks for American troops overseas and became one of the largest employers in Frankenmuth.

Today, the mill focuses mainly on wool bedding. They make comforters, pillows, and mattress toppers completely in-house, along with a growing collection of smaller wool products like dryer balls, dish sponges, shoe insoles, pet beds, potholders, and even wool koozies appropriately called "Woozies."

While their products have changed over the years, the mission sure hasn't. They're still focused on making products with unmatched quality that are built to last, using all-natural wool and taking pride in every step of the process.

At one point, only about 10% of the merchandise sold inside the store was made by the mill. Today, that number has grown to over 60%! Many of the products they don't make themselves are still sourced from other Michigan or Midwest brands, a testament to just how much they believe in supporting local manufacturing.

In 2020, when the pandemic temporarily forced the store to close, Matt and Abby shifted their attention online. The mill began advertising its American-made, chemical-free bedding to customers outside Michigan, and online sales skyrocketed, increasing by more than 600% during the shutdown.

Suddenly, the little mill behind a Bavarian storefront was shipping comforters and pillows all over the country.

That growth eventually led to a $2.1 million expansion, adding nearly 6,000 square feet of new manufacturing, warehouse, office, and retail space around the original 1894 building.

Even with the expansion, their process itself remains surprisingly old-fashioned. They still wash the wool in giant tubs, tie every comforter by hand, and rely on the same attention to detail that's defined the mill for more than 130 years.

Their commitment to that quality starts with the wool itself.

The mill works directly with American ranchers who treat their sheep humanely and provide all of the natural wool used in every one of their products.

So how exactly does this raw wool turn into a finished comforter or pillow?

First, the wool arrives in large bales, still tangled and filled with bits of hay, dirt, and debris from the farm. It's then thoroughly washed with hot water and biodegradable soap before sitting out for several days to dry.

From there, it heads into what was easily my favorite part of the tour: the carding machine.

A series of large rollers covered in little wire teeth brush through the wool, breaking apart any clumps, getting rid of debris, and lining up the fibers until it comes out in thick, smooth sheets.

After the wool is carded, it's brought upstairs, and this is where the craftsmanship behind each product becomes impossible to miss.

Every comforter, pillow, and mattress topper is filled, sewn, and tied by hand before getting inspected and ready to ship.

There's no giant automated machine spitting out finished blankets. It's two people standing across from one another, pulling thread through each layer, checking edges, smoothing fabric, and making sure it sits exactly the way it should.

Once it's finished, the bedding is folded, packaged, and either brought down to the store or prepared for shipment.

The mill sends every online order out the same day, so there's a good chance your Michigan-made bedding will arrive as quickly as something you ordered from Amazon.

The factory itself was fascinating, but the store is just as much a part of the experience.

Something I particularly loved is that many of the countertops, tables, and merchandise displays you'll see throughout the store are repurposed equipment they once used at the mill. It's another hidden ode to the factory's 130-year history.

The staff is also incredibly knowledgeable and happy to answer just about any question you have. And there is even a giant glass wall at the back of the store where you can actually watch the carding machine in action. There's also a virtual tour playing inside that walks visitors through the history of the mill and explains how many of its products are made.

Once you see the process and all the time and care that goes into making each piece, that craftsmanship really shows in the quality of their products.

Their comforters are truly one of a kind. There are countless beautiful colors, patterns, and sizes to choose from, but if none quite fit your style, the store also has a massive selection of fabrics where you can pick out your favorite, and the mill will custom-make a comforter just for you.

The tour was easily one of the highlights of my visit to Frankenmuth, and if you'd like to see the mill for yourself, you can book a tour by giving them a call. The mill is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The products are natural, practical, and made with a level of care you can actually see. It's hard to find a product that feels more Michigan than that.

You can shop any of their products in person or online through The Woolen Works at www.thewoolenworks.com and the mill's bedding website at www.wool-bedding.com.