Conversation Trails

Young Quinlan

I enjoy reflecting on the trail a conversation takes…where it begins and how it flows…A conversation this week took me down memory lane…

I was visiting with a woman at church and we were commenting on the unusually warm weather in Minnesota for this time of year, November. She mentioned she remembered the Armistice Day snowstorm on November 11, 1940. I asked her where she was that day and she said she was at Young-Quinlan Department store in downtown Minneapolis…she had caught the last streetcar home and she was grateful to get home safely that night.

I told her I have a memory from that store too. My aunt, who never had any children of her own, liked to take her nieces on special, one-on-one dates. This happened in the 60’s. She would often take us to the Young Quinlan store. Auntie Ag loved nice things and liked this specialty store – it was always special time. But what stands out most is the elevator (and my friend guessed that would be my memory.) There was an elevator operator who wore white gloves. She would open the elevator’s door and gate and let you on and off whatever floor you wanted. My aunt had no idea this would be my memory from our dates but they are sweet ones none-the-less.

The store went out of business in 1985 but I read online there is a Young-Quinlan store museum and it might be fun to go for a visit.

The building was designated as a local landmark by the Minneapolis Historic Preservation Commission in 1988 and is located on 9th and Nicollet.

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2 thoughts on “Conversation Trails”

  1. What a wonderful memory. Love that art.

    Growing up, I would ride the Greyhound from southwestern Minnesota to visit my Aunt Rachel in Minneapolis. She would take me around the city and it was quite the adventure. I remember mostly our walks around Lake Harriet and a trip to Munsingwear to choose fabric.

    1. What a great memory for you too. I remember the Munsingwear Building but do not remember going there. Did you like to sew?
      What a joy to have had these special women in our lives.

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