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BRAUN'S

Braun’s (“Styles of the Mile”) was located in Miracle Mile, opening in the space vacated by First Federal when they moved into their new building. The open house was held on October 26-27, 1956. The store moved to the 5225/5301 spot in 1968 – manager was Jeri Woodfill. In 1971, the company moved its general office and warehouse to the Belt Line Industrial Park. In June 1978, owner Gil Braun had a falling out with the owners of Miracle Mile and subsequently lost his lease. At the time he had 12 Braun’s and Gigi Shops. In 1983, Braun's was headquartered in Eden Prairie and owned:

  • Braun's

  • Gigi

  • The Wear House

  • Walbom's

  • Massey's

He sold Braun's Fashions in 1986 for $25 million, when the business was generating $50 million per year in sales.  In 2000 the store's name was changed to Christopher & Banks. 

Gil Braun was born in 1915 in Webster, SD.  His work in the clothing business started early when he worked at the local JC Penney store during high school.  After graduation he worked at a men's clothing shop in St. Paul, then moved to Buttrey's, where he rose to general manager over the course of 21 years.  It was then that he started his own store in Miracle Mile.   

 

Gil and his wife Lou had two sons, Alan and Tom. Although the family lived in Edina, Gil was extremely active in St. Louis Park civic affairs as a member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Among their activities, the Brauns served as Chairs of the Miss St. Louis Park contest in 1964, and in 1967 Gil served as Robin Hood during the City’s annual Robin Hood Days.


Braun died on July 5, 2011 of congestive heart disease at Methodist Hospital.  He was 96.  His wife Louella died in 2003.  A long obituary was published by the StarTribune on July 13, 2011.


 

 

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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.