Opening an Allstate Insurance agency on Sashabaw Road on Nov. 1 ends the hair-pulling commutes and allows Clarkston resident Steve Craft to spend time in the place he has never wanted to leave.
Craft’s family developed a love for the area well before he was born when they moved here in 1938.
‘I knew I wanted to open my own business and after traveling I-75 everyday, I was looking to move work back to Clarkston,? said Craft. ‘I had a lot of friends that went to other places, but that’s something I’ve never wanted to do.?
Starting a business in Clarkston allows him to spend more time at home with his family and working with people in the area.
The Craft name should be familiar to many longtime residents. Craft’s dad owned Ken Craft real estate, which opened in 1976.
‘My buddies took a real estate sign of my dad’s and put it in front of the high school. Principal Jan Gabier called me and said ‘I understand your dad has the school for sale. What is he asking??? recalled Craft.
Before Ken Craft opened his real estate office, he worked for The Clarkston News as a Linotype operator for six years until moving onto The Oakland Press. Steve Craft’s grandparents also ran Waterford Hill Florist on Dixie Highway.
In 1938, Craft’s mother Marilyn (Mortimore) moved with her family to Clarkston from Pontiac when her father found some inexpensive land. According to Marilyn, Bernard Mortimore, who worked at General Motors, built a house for his family that still stands on Eastlawn and Waldon.
‘It’s obvious Clarkston is blossoming, which is good I guess,? said Marilyn. ‘When we first came here there were sheep and cows where Clarkston Elementary is now. We used to watch the sheep shearing.?
After earning a marketing degree from Ferris State in 1983 he spent the next 20 years working his way from entry level sales to vice president of sales at Selective Business Systems. SBS was sold midway through his tenure and renamed RICOH. From 2002 until just recently, Craft worked in estate information services out of Troy. Craft graduated from Clarkston High School in 1978.
Using all his experience, Craft hopes to build a solid client base in Clarkston.
‘Our mission is to provide each customer with insurance and financial needs. Allstate sells more than just auto and home insurance. We sell business and life insurance, as well as help in planning retirements,? said Craft.
Part of Craft’s personal goal is using his experience gained working in Troy to educate people on their estate planning needs.
‘People struggle to transfer over things after they pass away,? said Craft.
Highlighting a few new auto policies, Craft said in November Allstate will offer plans to help reduce premiums and lower deductibles by allowing rates to go unaffected by a certain number of accidents, depending on the plan.
While moving business back home, Craft hopes Clarkston retains the sense of community he remembers from his childhood.
‘I hope it stays a one high school town, because if you have two high schools you lose a sense of community,? said Craft. ‘We have a downtown which is neat. I always wanted to work in Clarkston, but getting home at seven o’clock (after the commute) left little time to enjoy it.?
Craft and his wife Karla married in 1984 are raising three children: Marcus, 17, is a senior at Clarkston High School; Alyssa, 14, is a freshman at Clarkston Junior High School; and Travis, 11, is in sixth grade at Sashabaw Middle School.
Allstate Insurance Company is located at 6300 Sashabaw Road, suite C. Hours are 8:30 a.m. ? 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment evenings and Saturday. For more information call 248-620-2211.