4315 EXCELSIOR BLVD.

This building went back to at least 1932, when water was connected and the owner was listed as Mrs. Robert Johnson.

Oldtimers remember an establishment called Wade's BBQ, back in 1932, maybe even 1931. Fred J. Wade and a Mr. Bodin ran a barbecue lunch room and soft drink parlor.  There may have also been a vegetable stand, run by Louis M. Sachman.

By 1933, with the end of Prohibition, it had become a beer tavern called Roach's, run by James W. Roach, who, inevitably, was known as "Cocky Roach." Cocky later moved out to the SW shore of Christmas Lake. Hennepin County was very strict about closing times, but there was one bit of land on the corner of the lake that was part of Carver County, and they had no restrictions. So Cocky Roach built on that piece of Carver County and opened an all-night establishment that had a fantastic business.

The name Hinkle's Tavern also comes up.

In 1937 there was a Family Fruit and Vegetable store at this prime location next to the Colonial Inn.  And indeed, it did become the Colonial Inn Bakery/Pantry in the 1940s. 

Realtors owned it up until at least 1959.  The building was demolished some time after that.


This ad is from 1934






 

                                                                                                                                    1955






 

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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.