The first development proposal for the 4 and 1/2 acre Dunwoody property in the Lowry Hill neighborhood was submitted to the City of Minneapolis and the Lowry Hill Homeowners organization (LHHO) in 1959 – more than 20 years of controversy and negotiations followed before the property was developed – to everyone’s satisfaction. Part One –… Read More »
The Berger Fountain One day when I returned from a peaceful stroll with my dog, I noticed my phone answering machine (this was before iPhones) was sputtering with a message from the irascible Martin Freidman – the Director of the Walker Art Center. “Mickey (his wife Mildred Freidman) and I need your help – Right… Read More »
Smoking and Matchbooks In the distant future when archaeologists explore landfills around Minneapolis, they will undoubtedly uncover some soggy packages containing unused “cancer sticks,” (now we know what they are) sometimes called cigarettes. At one time smoking cigarettes was widely accepted. “The Marlboro Man,” “I’d walk a mile for a Camel,” “Lucky Strike green has… Read More »
Before the existence of a fancy TV set or more than one in every home and long before the availability of movie theaters with wide, reclining seats, special futuristic sound and vision gimmicks – priced along with food treats at almost unreachable cost – was the Movie Theater – a coveted family experience – or… Read More »
Some of my recent blogs have prompted comments from several prominent Minneapolitans – about the blogs but mainly about me: From Burt Cohen – publisher emeritus of Minneapolis – St. Paul Magazine and owner and in possession of the prime seat in the Minneapolis Club Dining Room “Ray Harris has advised me that if I… Read More »
“There is a better way – Find It” – a well known quote by Thomas Edison. Finding a better way to carry out my assignments, to meet challenges and solve problems has been THE guiding factor for all of my 60+ year professional career. Being self employed, I have always done things “my way” and… Read More »
Retail on the Nicollet Mall The Nicollet Mall was the pre-eminent retail location in the entire Upper Midwest. Shoppers from Canada and the states between Chicago and Denver traveled often to shop on the Nicollet mall. The retail offerings were extensive. All of the following retail stores were located on the Nicollet Mall in its… Read More »
Pre Covid, Minneapolis offered a variety of restaurants – upscale, neighborhood, multi-chain operations, buffets, restaurants offering almost every conceivable cultural food choice – as well as dessert bars and wine bars. It seemed that new restaurants were opening weekly and as many closing weekly. Eating out in Minneapolis was not always like that; Choices were… Read More »
Retailing, as we have known it, is failing throughout the United States – throughout the world. Delinquencies, even bankruptcies are not just a Minneapolis phenomenon; even before Covid 19 affected every aspect of our lives, the world of personal, on-site retailing was failing. There are some obvious reasons for this failure and some not so… Read More »
There was a time, not too many years ago, when all travelers arriving in or leaving Minneapolis traveled by train. After WWII, in the 50s and 60s, travelers gradually began flying in the now obsolete DC3’s. The train was still dominant, and cheaper, and more comfortable. There were two train passenger stations in Minneapolis –… Read More »