Southdale Texaco

Self-serve Car Wash  – in August of 1965, Al Jundt, owner of Southdale Texaco on the corner of South Broadway and 18^th Avenue opened a new type of self-service car wash. The car wash had 6 stalls, two open and 4 closed stalls, all equipped with high pressure washers that spray on a special detergent for cleaning with soft water to eliminate streaking. Each stall also had a vacuum cleaner for the cars interiors. The enclosed stalls also had infra-red gas heaters for winter operation. The car wash was open for 6 am to midnight, seven days a week.

Cashiers Arrested – Part 2 –

 Because Tempo decided to challenge the Sunday Closing Law in 1965, the cashiers were the employees that were arrested as they were the ones breaking the law. Tempo opened for business at 1:00 pm. The first arrest was made at 1:22 pm and then last arrest was made at 1:32 pm. One the customers started checking out the event lasted only 10 minutes. All five cashiers were taken to the Sheriff’s residence and each girl was charged with one count of Sabbath Breaking. The bail was set at $100.00 per cashier which was paid by Gamble Skogmo, the parent company of Tempo. Gamble Skogmo was also charged with five counts of Sabbath Breaking for a total of another $500.00

Cashiers Arrested Pt 1 –

In the 1960’s and 70’s, retail stores in North Dakota were not allowed to be open for business on Sunday. The law was referred to as the Sunday Blue Law. On December 5, 1965 … the Tempo store in the Arrowhead Shopping Center decided to open on Sunday and challenge the “Blue Law”. Hundreds of people, men, women and children were there to witness what was going to happen. The spectators jammed the aisles waiting for the police to arrive. When they finally did they arrested the two cashiers on duty. The replacement cashiers were promptly arrested and escorted out of the store as soon as they took their posts. After the last cashier had been “pinched” the store manager announced that the store was closing as he was out of cashiers. One spectator was heard to remark: Nuts! Now what am I going to do…. Go home and watch the Vikings lose again, I guess… which is what they did … the Vikings lost again

Flights to Regina –

On May 1, 1961, North Central Airlines began daily air service between Minot and Regina, Sask. The event was kicked off with a pre-inaugural invitational dinner on Sunday, the day before. The dinner was held at the Tree Top Room in the Clarence Parker Hotel. At noon on Monday the ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the airport. The ribbon was cut by Lt. Gov. Orville W. Hagen. The color guard from the Air Base was on hand and a short concert by the Minot High School Band. The first flight left for Regina at 12:40 pm. The return flight was to arrive at 4:04 pm and then continue on to Minneapolis via Grand Forks.

Airport Terminal - 1961

Clara’s Kitchen –

the year was 1961. The date was July 20^th. The event was the grand opening of Clara’s Kitchen. The restaurant was located at 119 South Main Street. The hours were 7 am to 11 pm, Monday through Saturday and 8am to 6 pm on Sunday. Grand opening specials:… Pancakes and Coffee – 25 Cents ….. Dinner with salad and roll and drink – 65 cents …. Hamburger and malt – 29 cents …. And a donut and coffee for 10 cents.

Concerts of the 1960’s -

November, 1962, a Country Cavalcade of Stars appeared at the Minot Municipal Auditorium.. The Headliner was Hank Snow. Also on the venue was Kitty Wells, Wilf Carter, Roy Clark, Bill Phillips, as well as Johnny and Jack  Advance tickets were $1.50. Ticket prices at the door were $1.75 for adults and children under 12 fifty cents. Ticket locations were Northwest Piano, Arrowhead Records and Mitchell Hardware.

August, 1964, Roy Orbison was in concert in the Minot Municipal Auditorium. At the time he had just released his big hit – Pretty Woman. Advance tickets could be purchased at Northwest Piano, Arrowhead Record Shop, Oak Park Dairy and Main Radio & Record shop.

Western Auto – After 30 years in business in Downtown Minot, The Western Auto Store moved to its new and final location at 300-3^rd St SW in November, 1962. The new building was 100 ft wide by 120 ft long. It included a 40 x 60 foot shop as well as offices. The merchandise display area was 24 x 50 foot. The business was staffed by 12 employees. A loading dock was in the back of the building and large parking lot in front. Western Auto in Minot was established in 1930 after evolving from a automobile wrecking business. The main office was in Minot until 1950 when it was moved to Fargo. Western Auto also had branches in Williston, Devils Lake, Bismarck, Mandan, Grand Forks, Jamestown and Dickinson.  At one time Western Auto was the largest automotive wholesale supplier in North Dakota with the Minot store being the largest.

Western Auto - 1962