GOODBYE TO AL'S BAR
From the Re-Echo, March 2009

Love it or hate it, Al’s Bar has been a bona fide landmark, perched on Excelsior Blvd. and France Ave. at the eastern border of St. Louis Park. Built in 1926, the two-story establishment was originally faced with Chicago red brick (since covered up by stucco). Prohibition was in full force in 1926, so the building was ostensibly a grocery/candy store/café. But in the basement, patrons reveled in drink and cards next to a wonderful fieldstone fireplace.

Al was Al J. Lovass, who bought the place in 1927. Al's friendship with the Sheriff ensured that he and his speakeasy customers were safe from prosecution. Al, of Norwegian descent, and his wife lived above the bar until the 1940s. Al owned the bar until his death in 1952.

Al's had a collection of "character bartenders.” Ben Brown remembers: “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.”

For many years St. Louis Park was known for its many bars, notably along Excelsior Blvd. and particularly in the mid-1930s with the repeal of prohibition. Now Al’s is the only remaining actual “bar” in the City (i.e. it doesn’t serve food).

Al’s has been a good neighbor, maintaining green space in the area and participating in civic activities such as Parktacular and National Night Out. Co-owner David Payne has been extremely cooperative with his neighbors in the Minikahda Oaks neighborhood, and they have enjoyed an amicable relationship.

Because of its prime location at the threshold of the City, there have been numerous plans to redevelop the site over the years, but none came through – until now. Al’s finally has an appointment with the wrecking ball, probably some time this summer. It will be replaced with a new development called the Ellipse on Excelsior. This gateway project will be comprised of a five-story commercial and luxury apartment complex. For information on the new development, see http://www.ackerberg.com/ellipse/index.html

See our web site at http://www.slphistory.org/history/als.asp
for more on Al’s Bar.

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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.