Did you grow up in Minnesota? Then, chances are, there are a few stores that you remember fondly from your early days. From long-gone department stores to old grocery store chains to places that are still popular today, these stores stand out in the collective memory of anyone who grew up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
1. Rainbow Foods
There are still a few Rainbows left in Minnesota, but this grocery store chain is well past its prime. The number of stores continue to dwindle, the most recent being the location in St. Paul's Midway. Still, anyone who grew up in Minnesota has likely shopped in this once popular grocery chain. Even more would recognize the Rainbow logo anywhere.
2. Gander Mountain
Minnesotans who love fishing and hunting will be more than familiar with Gander Mountain. As the go-to spot to get all the gear you need as an outdoorsman, news of the chain's bankruptcy came as a disappointment for many. Dozens of the stores liquidated and closed, and the future of Gander Mountain is uncertain. But the chain still stands fondly in the memories of those who shopped there for decades.
3. Dayton's
Before there was Target, there was Dayton's. Founded in Minneapolis in 1902, this department store was once a retail center for just about everything you needed. Dayton's even owned the first Target opened in Roseville in 1962. But all good things must end, and Dayton's met its demise nearly a century after it began. Dayton's eventually became Marshall Fields, and then Macy's. The flagship store closed as a Macy's in early 2017. But anyone who walks by the old location in downtown Minneapolis will surely think of Dayton's.
4. Perkins
Okay, Perkins isn't exactly a store. But it's still a place so quintessentially Minnesotan that it was impossible to leave it off the list. Many of us grew up eating there, either with our parents during road trips or with our friends in high school. We'd be willing to bet that there are very few people who grew up in Minnesota who don't have at least one fond memory of Perkins.
5. Cub Foods
Here's a grocery store that, despite competition from national retailers, remains strong. Since it started in Minneapolis in 1968, Cub Foods has expanded into 77 locations throughout Minnesota and Illinois. It's been the go-to spot for groceries in Minnesota for decades, and it's still a favorite of many.
6. Caribou Coffee
As Minnesota's hometown coffee chain, we would be remiss if we left it off the list. Founded in 1992, it's a relative newcomer compared to other Minnesota companies. But anyone who has been around for the past 25 years will remember stopping here. Caribou continues to be a local favorite even as it grows into many other locations across the country.
7. Ben Franklin
Remember Ben Franklin? Though it was founded in Wisconsin, there were once many Ben Franklin stores throughout Minnesota. This five-and-dime store started as Butler Brothers in 1877 before it became Ben Franklin 50 years later. They specialize in a variety of items, from snacks to toys to craft supplies. You may still come across one in some small towns in northern Minnesota. If you do, step in. You'll be surprised by how quickly you'll be swept up in the memories this little store conjures up.
What do you think? What are your favorite memories of these stores? Let us know in the comments below!
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