Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-07-12
new BUILDING
OPENS MONDAY
Askov Mercantile Company
New Building is Complet-
ed.-Structure is 28x90
and Built of Brick and
Hollow Tile.

| As time passes the Main street
of Askov is putting on a more metro
politan appearance, new substantial
brick buildings are taking the place
of former frame buildings, and on
next Monday, July 18th, one of those
new buildings of substantial nature
will be dedicated and opened to the
public. This is the new structure
of the Askov Mercantile Company
which is built on the lot just south
of the old frame building.
/ Erection of the new building was
commenced in April and it is now
practically completed, the force at
the store being busy these days NOV
ing the goods. The new building is
of brick and hollow tile, 2Sx9O feet,
giving ample room for a modern up
to-date mercantile business. The gro
Gerry department which will be along
the north wall of the building will be
especially good, new shelving having
been put in all along the wall. A
new display freezer in connection
with the frigidaire is being installed
which will make a good display of
meats. An electric meat grinder has
also been installed. The firm will
continue along the same lines as they
have in the past-handling groceries
and meats, dry goods, shoes and mems
furnishings. A number of new show
cases are being added and much
modern shelving.
A history of this colony would not
be complete if mention was not
made of the old frame building that
the Mercantile Company is now va
eating. The main part of the build
ing was located on the residence lot
where the Martin Johnson residence
now stands when the Danes moved in
and colonized here in 1906. 1t was
then owned by Mr.. Rodenberger, ia
Their of E. ]. and Frank Rodenberger,
living in Fleming township. VIM.
Holm and L. C. Petersen purchased
the building and conducted a general
mer chandise store. In the fall of
1905 it was moved to Main street, its
present location and was used as
land office for about two years. In
1910 a second general merchandise
store in the village was opened up
in this building, another store being
conducted by R. Petersen & Son.
Those entering into the business this
time were L. C. Petersen, A. Gravesen
and H. R. Buck, with the latter as
manager. 1t was then given the
name of Askov Mercantile Company,
which name it has since retained.
The First State Bank of Askov was
established in 1911 and had its office
for a few years in the lean-to of
the store where a land office was
also located. Previous to the present
owners, Martin Johnson and son, ].
Albert, buying out the store on Nov.
80, 1917, V. Hoiberg was also con-
nected with the business for about 4
year, he buying in with Mr.. Buck
when Messrs. Petersen and Gravesen
retired from the business. The junior
member of the present firm, ]. Albert
Johnson, was clerk in the store for
four years while it was managed by
Mr.. Buck,
The old building has not yet been
rented or sold, but there have been
applications for renting it.
The Johnsons have been in the
mercantile business here for nearly
IL years and have enjoyed a good
patronage, and now with added room,
good light and a modern store they
are in better position to care for the
wants of the trade. The new store
is IL feet to the ceiling with full
basement. A pipeless furnace will be
installed later. The cost of the build
ing is approximately $1,000 and was
built by the Askov Construction Co.
The public is invited to call and
inspect the new store on Monday,
July 10th, when free lunch will be
served all day.