AL'S BAR

Al's Place was built in 1926 at 3912 Excelsior Blvd. This two-story establishment was originally faced with red Chicago brick. We’re unsure of the original owner, but in 1927, Al J. Lovass and Mary Vlavianous obtained a license to sell soft drinks and operate a restaurant. Others remember it as a grocery store or a confectionary. Whatever was going on upstairs, bootlegger Al and his wife supplied their customers with more than pop in their basement "party room"/speakeasy that featured a large fieldstone fireplace. Al's friendship with the Sheriff ensured that he and his card playing, drinking customers were safe from prosecution. Al, of Norwegian descent, and his wife lived above the bar until they bought a house in southwest Minneapolis in the 1940's. John Reid remembers that Al wanted to sell the bar after WWII, but local attorney Heine Kuhlman talked them out of it because he knew it was a gold mine. "Heine was upset because they never gave him anything for that good advice."

In 1933 the establishment was listed as Al's Cafe in the first St. Louis Park Directory, reflecting its status before the end of prohibition the following year. The first addition, to the east, was built in 1934. This room originally had big windows so one could see the golf course, but in one misguided fit of remodeling the windows were covered over (they’re still there in the wall). In 1952 the liquor store was added to the west side but closed in 1980. Because of regulations imposed by the City, the former liquor store can now only be used for storage.

Al died in 1952, and his liquor license went to William C. Lovaas and NW National Bank as co-administrators of the estate. In 1960, partners were listed as Melvin D. Lovaas, Clair H. Reed, James H. Holme, Paul B. Haugejordan, and Woodrow W. Jones.  Haugejorden, became the manager/owner. He was a bachelor who lived upstairs at one point, and at Minikahda Court when he died in September 1966. Jim Holme, Al's nephew, and Walter J. Holme, Al's cousin, ran it from 1966 to at least 1977, when Jim Holme sold it to bartender Woody Jones and David Payne.

Al's was an especially popular place when there was an election in Minneapolis and the Minneapolis bars were closed, since Al's was the first bar across the city line. Al's had a collection of "character bartenders:"  Gar Case was a song and dance man from the old vaudeville days. He knew every joke and story ever told and liked to share them with his customers. If he started to tell a story he never quit until he finished, regardless of who was waiting for a drink. Another bartender was Knox Delaney. He had a diamond in one of his front teeth and loved to flash a big smile, especially to the ladies, so you could see the diamond.

Al's never closed because of inclement weather. During the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940, people walked on top of cars to find refuge at Al's, where they partied for 3-4 days. Al cashed checks, and opened at 8 a.m. to accommodate third shift workers who were just getting off work. Al's also strove to be a good neighbor by buying up adjacent lots as a buffer between the bar and nearby houses.

Al's inside, 1939
 

Al's outside, 1958









 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.