Grand Hotel Fire – Aftermath –

 Late in January of 1960 the Grand Hotel caught fire and was completely destroyed by fire. The fire was believed to have started in the Triangle Shop or the basement of PW Miller, both tenants in the building. On the Saturday following the fire, what remained of the front wall collapsed onto Central Avenue. The rubble was cleared and the road opened. The back wall still stood but was scheduled for demolition. All guests staying at the hotel had been accounted for. Many businesses were located in the building. PW Miller Co, mainly a war surplus store was moving into the Westlie Tire Building, just across the street. Other businesses seeking new locations included the Grand Barber Shop, the Triangle Shop. The S&H Green Stamp Store and Grand Photography Studio. Also looking for new locations were the Grand Billiard Hall, Minot roofing and Cornice, and the Pioneer Bar and Grand Café. 

KG Men’s Store –

 In December of 1960 there were a number of stores where a man could purchase a suit. These included Greengard Cranston, Schneider’s Men’s Store, Jay’s, Squtt’s, and KG Men’s Store. All of these were in Downtown Minot as no shopping centers were built in the city at this time. KG’s Men’s Store was running a year end Suit Sale…. Over 900 suits reduced with prices starting as $29.00 up to $79.00. The famous Kuppenheimer brand of suits were also on sale as were topcoats and sport coats. Because of the huge price reductions there was a small charge for any alterations which normally were free. When Town & Country Shopping Center opened KG’s Men’s Store would move to that location

 Greengards on Central Ave

Squtt's Mens Store 

Greengard - Cranston on Main Street 

Johnson Motors Co. –

 it was late December of 1960 that Carmen Johnson purchased the Chevrolet dealership from Ole and Galen Frosaker. At one time Johnson owned a Chevrolet dealership in Council Grove, Ks. Frosaker Motors started in 1921 by Ole and his brother Knute Frosaker. In the very early years they held the Chrysler franchise but soon became exclusive Chevrolet dealers. Johnson would eventually move the Chevrolet dealership on South Second Street (about where Wells Fargo Bank is) to its current location on South Broadway. The Frosaker Motor location is now the Wells Fargo - Broadway 

 Frosaker Motors 

Frosaker Motors/Johnson Chevrolet Demo

Victor's Dance Studio

Super Grill – In October of 1960 the Super Grill in North Second Street ( North Broadway) was advertising a complete cube steak dinner…. This included a salad, French fries, toast and coffee for 69 cents…. The advertisement above the Super Grill ad was for Victor’s Dance Studio. Class lessons for teenagers were $1.00 per week. The Ladies Dance Special was a 10 week dance course for two for only $44.50…. this included two studio dance parties… Victor’s Dance Studio was located at 102 4^th Ave SE. (Burdick Expressway) across from M&H gas

Super Grill Restaurant --

 Grand opening was in July of 1958…. Super Grill was located next to the Super Valu on Second Street NW.( North Broadway). The Super Grill featured the finest home baked pies in Minot. Opening specials featured  Noon Specials for 75 cents … specials changed daily. They also featured filtered water. Dinner specials included a T-bone steak dinner for $2.49…. Walleye Dinner for $1.50… and a Chef’s Salad for only 79 cents. 

the Super Grill is next to Super Valu - the cars are parked in front of the restaurant

1958 - Mallard Motors

In 1958 Mallard Motors was located at the intersection of 4^th Avenue and 6^th St SW. This is now a vacant lot across the street from Rent-A-Wreck. The phone number in 1958 was 20-111. Featured cars for sale included a 57 Rambler, a 54 Nash and a 51 Chevy 4 door. All vehicles from Mallard Motors came with a one year guarantee in writing. Later, in the Mid to late 60’s, Mallard Motors moved to South Broadway at the location now occupied by Prairie Federal Savings

New Phone Numbers – 1959 –

On September 2o, 1959 the new 7 digit phone numbers went into effect. All telephones would have new numbers consisting of 2 letters and 5 numbers. (TE 8-1212 as an example). New phone directories were sent out so everyone could find the new numbers. HOW TO Dial: to call TE 8-1212, for example, you simply dial the letter “T”, then the letter “E”, then the figure 8 followed by the last four numbers. Long distance calls were placed through the operator after giving them your new number. Long before the days of touch phones.

 1959 Phone Book

Restaurant Page from 1959 Phone book