4700 EXCELSIOR

The property at 4700 Excelsior Blvd. started out as a drive-in back in the 1920’s, owned by Donovan and Kelly. In 1932 it was the Yum Yum Root Beer Stand run by Mr. Donovan, although there is an indication that there was also a vegetable stand at the site, owned by Clarence Eggers. In 1939 the owner is listed as A.G. Larson, and in the early ‘40’s it was the Molzahn Drive-In, run by Fred Molszahn. At one point, probably in the 1930’s, it was the Root Beer Garden, run by Robert Johnson, whose Family Garden was located across Excelsior Blvd.

A newspaper ad in November 1950 touts the Circus Poney Drive-Inn, apparently owned by G.H. Hopfenspirger. How a drive in would work in Minnesota in November is puzzling. The circus ponies were the kind with springs, and one was given away free each day for 25 days. In 1954 the site was known as the Boulevard Drive Inn.

From June 6-15, 1950, one Sidney Katz, dba City Banana, Inc., got a license to sell fruits and vegetables on land owned by Peter Kosmas.

Finally in 1956, Peter T. Kosmas (aka Cosmo) and his brother-in law Anthony J. Kallas, who had managed Jennings Tavern, built and established what was first called the Park House Tavern but soon became known as Park Terrace Cafe and Bottle Shop. The building cost $225,000. Park Terrace was a fine dining, white tablecloth kind of establishment, and became known as the Park Terrace Supper Club. The building was originally stucco construction. This business lasted until about October 1966.

In 1967 the building became the home of George's in the Park, George being George Schaumburg. According to some, this site was popular with some rather nefarious people from Minneapolis, in a time when drug use was on the rise. In 1972 the fire chief sent a letter citing many complaints of overcrowding. In fact, the City Council went so far as to ban live music in Park bars to keep down the traffic, not figuring on disco. There is one sketch of the building on file that indicates that there was a sauna in the place! In 1967 they got rid of the liquor store to expand the club.  In 1968 a car ran into the building, causing some $35,000 worth of damage. The ad at left is from 1970.

The bar became Duff’s in about January 1974, although Joseph P. Duffy, Jr. and his partner John Anzevino were initially denied a liquor license by the City after some concerns about political contributions. The Dispatch listed an impressive list of lawyers: Gerald M. Singer, Ronald Meshbesher, Kenneth Meshbesher, and Russell Spence. Duffy owned Duff’s downtown (21 South 8th Street) for 14 years and was a co-owner of Duffy’s Bar (26th and 26th) for 10 years. The St. Louis Park building was owned by “Park Terrace Supper Club.” In January 1976, Duff’s got in trouble for holding wet t-shirt contests in which the contestants often removed said garments. Duff sold the business to Papa’s Inc.: brothers-in-law William Howell and Burton Rozman.

The bar was called Infinity from about 1976 to 1979. The building was first owned by the owners of Park Terrace, and then by the owners of Classic.

In June 1979, the Classic Motor Company moved in, cars and all. This establishment was owned by Richard Gold and his son Stephen I. Gold, who also owned the Gay ‘90’s downtown. The Golds were car collectors, and the bar featured antique cars on a revolving turntable, a different one each month. At least in the beginning, the car theme was everywhere – “autoburgers” were on the menu, and drinks were served in “cylinders.” Although Stephen Gold claimed that this bar would not have the problems of George’s or Infinity, things seemed to have gotten pretty rowdy: on June 24, 1987, a memo from the building inspector to the police complained of “honking, hollering, car tires screeching, and fire crackers.” In 1993 it was extensively remodeled into more of a sports bar and was known as the Classic Café and Bar. The manager at that time was John Canton (J.C.).

The site eventually became the target of urban redevelopment, and the City purchased the land in 1999. Classic closed its doors on March 17, 2001 and the building was demolished to make way for Excelsior and Grand.

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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.