In the summer of 1960, the Star Tribune sent photographers to snap a shot of every corner in downtown Minneapolis. This is the latest installment in a series that takes a closer look at those pictures, and passes on a few pieces of Minneapolis history. Let's get started:
Block E was the problem. Block E had dive bars and skin-flick theaters, so it needed to go away. In its stead rose the romantically-named . . . Block E, a retail complex that continued modern American cities' almost unbroken string of failed downtown retail complexes. Now it's mostly Mayo. Block E, that's what everyone talked about for decades.
But what about the block across the street?
Here you go.
Let's start on the right, at 7th street.
About Hamm's, we needn't state the obvious; if you're over 45 or know your Minnesota ad jingles, you may already be thumping the "Song of Hiawatha" beat on your desk.
Retail on Hennepin? Indeed. On the corner, Adam Hats, a nationwide chain for decades, was doomed when men said, "Eh, I'm done with these" in the '60s.
Flagg Brothers Shoes started as a nice dress-shoe chain, but ended the '70s selling chunky funky platform shoes.