Walking through the aisles of Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan, you might think you've stumbled upon a city devoted to Christmas. You might just be right. Bronner's isn't called the World's Largest Christmas store for nothing. It has over 50,000 seasonal gifts and decorations.

The building the store is housed in is the size of over 5 football fields, so it could actually fit a small village inside. Read on to learn more about Bronners and Frankenmuth.

The store was founded by Wally Bronner who started a sign painting business in 1945. His business slowly expanded to include selling holiday decorations. Eventually, a permanent buliding was built to house the store in 1954. This was later added onto to become the size it is today.

Mr. Bronner was well known in the Frankenmuth area for his entrepreneurial and charitiable spirit. He passed away in 2008, and the business is managed by his surviving family members.

While Bronner's is well known for their Christmas decorations, that isn't all they do. They carry gifts and decorations for all major holidays including Easter, Halloween and Thanksgiving along with other themes such as those below:

• USA pride
• Spring and fall themes
• Graduation
• Wedding
• Mother's and Father's Day
• Nautical-inspired items

Since Bronner's is open all year round, you'll be able to stop in or order online when you need to for each of your favorite holidays.

Wally Bronner was so inspired by Silent Night Memorial Chapel in Oberndorf, Austria, that he asked permission from Oberndorf's government to build a replica on the grounds of Bronner's store. Permission was granted and the new chapel was dedicated in 1992 with officials from Oberndorf in attendance. The chapel is open daily to visitors. Visit the link to the Bronner website below for more information.

Bronner's is located in Frankenmuth, Michigan, one of the states popular tourist attractions. The town's early founders were German missionaries. In fact, the name is taken from two German words. "Franken" for the Province of Franconia in the Kingdom of Bavaria, where many of the first immigrants came from, and "muth" for courage. This translates into courage of the Franconians.

There is a strong community ethic, especially in business. Eventually, businesses began to work together to create a Bavarian theme to draw in tourists. It worked, and Bronner's alone draws over 2 million visitors a year. Other popular attractions in Frankenmuth are:

• Zhender's Famous Chicken Dinners
• Bavarian Inn Lodge
• Bavarian Belle Riverboat
• Zeilinger Wool Company
• Oktoberfest
  
• Loads of downtown Frankenmuth shops and restaurants

Visiting Bronner's in person is an experience you'll take with you, especially if you make it part of a Frankenmuth vacation. But that's not the only way to enjoy Bronner's holiday magic. They also have an online shop and catalog so you can shop in the comfort of your own home.

The store is located 25 Christmas Lane, Frankenmuth, MI, 48734. Their phone number is (989) 652-9931. Visit the links below for their online store info.

Bronner's is open 361 days a year and are closed for Christmas, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Easter.

References:

• Description of Bronner's in English.  Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.  Accessed 2009.
• Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce.  Frankenmuth, Michigan's Little Bavaria.  Accessed October 2009.