Big Bear Surplus and Others

Past Businesses – 1970’s – Alhood Motors – Highway 83 South – At one time they were the Mercedes Benz Dealer in Minot….. Red River TV & Appliance – 2121 North Broadway – across from the International Airport ….. Ben Franklin Store – located in the Arrowhead Shopping Center …. Payless Family Shoe Stores -  at one time located at 1601 South Broadway …..  Big Bear Surplus – Originally located at 14 North Main Street – Carried some clothing, sporting goods and hunting supplies …..

Grocery Store Chain Stores

Red Owl stores – Three locations at one time – Downtown Minot – across the street west of the Midwest Federal Building, managed at one time by Don Steffan – Arrowhead Shopping Center (where White Drug is now located) managed by Leonard Kretchmar and South Broadway in the Tractor Supply location- managed by Don Jessen ….. Piggly Wiggly Stores – Three locations – Town and Country Shopping Center (on the north end where the Trinity Cancer Center is – Highway 2 East – Across from the ND State Fair Grounds – Oak Park Shopping Center…… Super Valu - There were two Super Valu Stores as I recall....one at 627 North Broadway - South of the Subway Restaurant and the other on South Broadway - where the Good Will Store is at 14th Ave and South Broadway.

Miracle Marts -

Kmart – 1971 – In 1971 there were two Miracle Mart Discount Food Center Grocery Stores in Minot. One was in the Kmart Shopping Center at the intersection of Highway 83 and The Highway 2 & 52 Bypass, (they were in the east end of the Kmart Building). The other location was in Garden Valley in northwest Minot at 16^th Street and 4^th Avenue.  In 1971, Miracle Mart advertised, “Item for item our prices are lower than any other store”. Price comparisons between Miracle mart and other “Chain” grocery stores were usually featured in the Miracle Mart ads. Example” bisquick, 40 oz box was 53 cents at Miracle mart . the next cheapest price was 63 cents.

More Business From the 1970's

1971 – More Past Businesses – Thunderbird Home Center  - 623 North Broadway ….. Jay’s Men’s Shop – 106 South Main – featuring a $10.00 suit sale …… Minot Eagles Club on 1^st St SE (later the home of the Chicago Club) …… Merk’s Twist Inn – 800 North Broadway (now home to Originals – The O Bar)….. Erna’s Restaurant – 1542 South Broadway (Blind Duck location)…. Viking Table Smorgasbord (later the Marketplace Dollar store)  – Sunday dinner - $1.89 included fried chicken, meatballs, halibut and BBQ ribs and a Complete Thanksgiving Dinner for 10 people for $13.99…. The Auto-Dine – 8^th Avenue and North Broadway…..

 Minot Eagles Club 1960's

Bonanza - Village Inn and More from the Past

1971 – Past Businesses – Ted Schweigert Volkswagon – 1430 South Broadway … Auran Chevrolet (now Ryan Chevrolet) on South Broadway….. Don Moe Inc. – two locations – 3615 South Broadway and on 3^rd Street NE ….. Blesener Olds-Datsun – 1310 4^th Ave SE (across from Roosevelt park ….. King Leo’s Drive-In – featuring hotdogs for 16 cents on Tuesday and Fishburgers for 20 cents on Fridays….. Tony’s Tavern on South Broadway  ….. Bonanza Sirloin Pit (now Paradiso) – rib eye steak dinner for $1.69 ……. Village Inn Pizza Parlor on North Broadway…. Fireside Lounge on West Burdick Exp – in the Sandman Motel….

The Birth of a Parking Lot

Parking District #4 – Harold Gordon owned a number of properties in the area designated as Parking District #4. This is the parking lot across the street from Bremer Bank. It lies between Central Avenue on the north and 1^st Avenue on the south. The west side is 1^st Street SW and the east side is the alley between Main street and 1^st Avenue SW. Gordon’s properties included the following businesses: The 13 Club, Northwest Sporting goods and Central Office Supply. The offer for his property was $215,000.00. Had he not accepted the property was to be acquired under eminent domain. The parking lot has been replaced by a Parking Ramp

Winter Festival - 1971

Winter Festival – 1971 – The Minot Downtown Merchants held a Winter Festival in mid February back in the early 70’s. The Festival was a three day event covering Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most of the Downtown Merchants featured advertised special during the event. Some of the other activities included a Torch Light Parade on Main Street, Beard Judging Contest, Snowmobile races at the Fair Grounds, Carnival Night at the Auditorium, Kids Mini toboggan Races at Jim Hill (prior to the new High School being built), Trap Shooting at the gun club and a basketball game between the Minot State football team and the Minnesota Vikings.

Main Street 1940's after snowstorm