QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – Star of the West Milling Company is set to close its flour mill in Quincy on or around January 1, 2026, a move the company attributed to the age and limited capacity of the facility.
The Frankenmuth-based company, which has operated the Quincy mill for 45 years after purchasing it in 1979, cited flat demand for wheat flour and the difficulty of sustaining operations at the older location as primary factors in its decision.
The original structure of the mill dates back to 1863, and company officials have noted that mills built in that era are difficult to sustain in the current market environment.
Around 15 employees will be impacted by the closure, but Star of the West has provided opportunities for them to relocate to mills in Ligonier, Indiana and Frankenmuth, Michigan.
While flour milling will stop, the company plans to continue operating the grain elevator and bulk truck washing at the Quincy site, allowing local farmers to still deliver their wheat.
The move aligns with the company’s strategy to consolidate and invest in modern facilities, including a recently completed brand new mill in Ligonier, Indiana.
The Quincy mill was originally built in 1863 and passed through the hands of 12 owners during its first 24 years in operation. Stable ownership finally arrived in 1887 when Felix A. McKenzie purchased it and operated it as McKenzie Milling Co. for more than half a century.
Williams Milling Co. purchased the mill in 1957. Star of the West bought it in 1979 and has operated it ever since.
That’s a historic land mark sad to see it close