4911 EXCELSIOR BLVD.

The building at 4911 Excelsior Blvd. was built by the Lann family, which continued to own it until 1975. In the beginning it was two buildings: 4911 is the two-story building on the corner, and 4909 is the attached long building. There is/was also a barn-like building in the back that had been in the front. It's said that one reason that such a small building has two stories is so that the beer could be kept upstairs and accessed via gravity... A later tenant, sports commentator Rollie Johnson, was able to sell boats because of the high ceiling.

1926

Joe Lann's Confectionery. There seemed to be a lot of "confectioneries" in town during Prohibition.

1933-35

Walt's Canteen/Poirier's Tavern ("Where the Homefolks go for a Pleasant Evening") became one of the many beer joints that sprung up on the Boulevard. In his memoir, Morton Arneson complains that the music from the honky tonk across the street kept him awake all night; Walt's was probably the culprit. In 1934, an E.L. Friedlund applied to run a restaurant and sell beer at 4909. The ad below is from the 1934-35 directory. The 1934-35 directory places Walter and Frances Poirier living at 42nd and Utica, and the 1935-36 directory places them at 39th and Vernon.  Walt's grandson reports that he always was told that Walt was a telephone repairman based in North Dakota, specializing in installing switchboards in offices.  His career as a tavern keeper was probably short.



1935

Fred R. Bachman received a restaurant permit for 4911.

1937

Clayton Johnson applied for a license to sell beer.

1937-42

Syfo Water Co.

1944-47

Artcraft Plastics, Inc. (Wendell R. Guy/Mr. Riordan) Complaints made about the noise in July 1946.

1947-64

Town and Country/Pilgrim Cleaners. Initial proprietors (opened September 3, 1948) were Twin Cities sportscaster Rollie Johnson, owner, and Gil Chandler, manager. Reportedly they fought with the owner of the building over all the steam pipes in the place. It changed names in 1957. The picture below is from 1955.

1956

DT Eherenfeldt Insurance (4909)

1958

Paul H. Nordenson Co.: shower doors, cabinets
Motor Vehicle Registration Bureau: J.L. Markham, Deputy Registrar

12/1962-2000

J & F Corp. Equipment Rentals, later known as Reddy Rents.

1966-1970

H&R Block (4909)

1977

Viking Properties

4/2000

Olde World Antiques

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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.