Flat Iron Building –

The Flat Iron Building was located on the northeast corner of Broadway and Central Avenue. It was called the Flat Iron Building because of its triangular shape – similar to that of an old flat iron. One of the businesses in the Flat Iron Building was the Spudnut Shop. The Spudnut Shop specialized in hamburgers and Spudnuts. A Spudnut was a doughnut made from special potato flour, apparently that one had to purchase from the Spudnut Company. Reportedly the doughnuts were the best when fresh.. Another business I remember in the Flat Iron Building back in the late 60’s was Carl’s Music Store. Not sure when it went out of business, but he handled musical instruments and supplies.musical instruments and supplies.

1965 - Illegal Sunday Shopping

Sunday Shopping before its time – Apparently the last Sunday of November, 1965, Tempo, located in the Arrowhead Shopping Center and White Drug, Downtown Minot opened their doors for business. Sunday opening was a thing of the future at this time. The States Attorney issued a warning to both stores and any others that Police and Sheriffs officers will be on duty in those stores. If they opened the following Sunday, all clerks would be arrested and charged with Sabbath Breaking. Store managers and the parent company could be charged. If violations continue the license to operate in North Dakota could be in jeopardy.

Past Business from the 70's

Past Business -- Maid For A Day – In 1972, two men, Arnie Merkel and Julius Jahr started a new business called Maid For a Day. The new company would provide cleaning af various types on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. Maid For A Day would clean windows, walls, carpets and floors and even do minor household repair…. Schriok’s Lawn & Trail – located on the 2& 52 Bypass at 10^th St. SW. (now the home of IHeartmedia) – John Deere dealer …… The Grog Shop -- $the Avenue & Valley Street (Burdick Expressway at the west end of the viaduct)—Bottle Shop……. Fireside Lounge – inside the Sandman Hotel ( at the West Bypass and 4^th Ave.) ….. Pizza Plus (formerly Our Place) – at South Broadway and the Bypass – Pizza and sandwich shop …..

Minot’s First City Hall --

 The first building to serve as City Hall for Minot was the home to the Police Dept in the basement, the Fire Dept. on the main floor and dormitory above, the jail, magistrate’s office and the City Manager office and staff also on the main floor. It was built in 1905 and was located mid block between Main St. and 1^st St SW. (or next to the Alley behind the Montgomery Ward building – across the street from the 1^st Avenue Building). In the early 1900’s, this was quite literally the center of Minot. DA Dinnie was awarded the bid for construction for the price of $11,171.00. The new building to be the best facility of its kind in the country for cities the size of Minot. However the Minot Aldermen were so disenchanted with the finished result they refused to occupy it as they claimed it had not been built to specifications. About 6 months later they resolved the conflict and moved in. 

Terhorst Manufacturing

Terhorst Manufacturing --  Started in 1928 by brothers Harvey and Willis Terhorst, and located at 615 4^th Ave SE, (under the Burdick Expressway viaduct). Terhorst is in the business of making molds for all types of products. The original building was expanded in 1936, 1940, 1951 and again in 1967. During World War II, Terhorst made fuse adapters for bombs. The machines needed to make the adapters were designed by Terhorst as they did not exist to purchase them. In the 1960’s, Terhorst got into the plastic molding business. They still remain one of the lesser known long term businesses in Minot.

Terhorst - 1972

Minot Eagles Club --

  In April of 1972 the new Minot Eagles Club was dedicated and opened to members. The club was located at the intersection  of 2^nd Avenue and 16^th St. SW, across from Arrowhead Shopping Center. In less than a year, the Eagles membership had grown from 1800 to over 3200. The Minot Eagles Club was organized in 1942 and the new home was the fourth location. Prior to this opening the club was located at 110 1^st Street SE, now the home of the Chicago Club. The new club was about 17,500 square feet and built at a cost of $483, 365.00….

December 1965 - Park & Shop

Downtown Minot 1965 – In December of 1965 Downtown Minot was “the heart of the area’s largest and most complete shopping district. Downtown Minot boasted 690 business firms in their trade area. Downtown Minot claimed they gave you Variety, Service and Price… all of that added up to more shopping pleasure. Their motto was “If It’s in Town,  It’s Downtown. The Downtown merchants also provided free parking to customers in the Downtown Parking lots with Park and Shop. When shopping you could have your parking voucher validated at participating merchants.