History of Bretts Department Store

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History of Bretts Department Store

• By
• Megan Vossen and
• Nicole Jehorek
• Group 24

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How Everything Got Started
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George Everett Brett

• Born in Strong, Maine in 1845
• Came to Winona, Minnesota at the age of 17
• Eventually transferred to Mankato in 1868
• Formed the corporation known as Geo. E. Brett,
  Inc.
• The store name was George E. Brett Dry Goods
• It was on the corner of Front and Jackson Streets

• The name of Bretts became well-known within a
  100 mile radius of Mankato
• Brett had the first delivery truck in town
• Only store at that time, in Mankato, with an
  escalator
• He sang tenor in the church choir at the
  Presbyterian Church.
• He was a stockholder and served on the board of
  directors at the First National Bank

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George Everett Brett continued

• Newspaper clippings circa 1905-1915 called the
  Brett family one of Mankatos patrician
  families...who are social and political leaders
• George Brett died suddenly in 1915
• James Edwin Brett, Georges son, took over
  management of the store and stayed until 1958
• Then Brett Taylor, James nephew took over until
  1971

• Management passed through the Taylor family until
  it closed

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Taylor Family Home in Mankato

• 227 Lincoln Street
• Now home to Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house

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Businesses that have served the Mankato area for
more than 100 years

• Brett's Department Store (1858)
• First Bank (1868)
• Martin and Hoerr Jewelers (1870)
• Norwest Bank (1872)
• First Federal Savings and Loan (1881)
• Theodore Williams Insurance Company (1883)
• August Deike Transfer, Inc. (1886)
• Hilltop Florists (1886)
• Cheever and Asleson Architecture (1878)

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Bretts Department Store

• In 1992 Brett's Department Store closed after 124
  years in retail. George E. Brett established the
  Empire Store in 1868 on Front Street in Mankato.

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Ideas for the Bretts Building

• Office Space
• Technology Center
• Apartments

• Condominiums
• Retail Units
• Hotel

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Gordon Awsumb (Awsumb Associates) Idea

• The restoration of the historic Brett's Building
  is underway. Our aim is to make it the most
  appealing office space in town.
• The building's classic features, large windows,
  high ceilings and rich architectural details, are
  being highlighted in the restoration work.
  However, Twenty-First Century electrical and
  mechanical systems and high-speed Internet access
  are also being installed.

• The airy interior spaces and the central, highly
  visible downtown location across from the Midwest
  Wireless Civic Center will provide a distinctive
  setting for professionals and service businesses.
  
• Adjacent parking is free and plentiful.
• Plans call for occupancy to be available in the
  spring of 2003.

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Pictures of Bretts
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Overview

• George Everett Brett started Bretts Dry Goods,
  which later became Bretts Department Store
• The Brett/Taylor family continued managing the
  store after George passed away

• Bretts Department Store closed its doors in
  1992 after 124 years of service to the Mankato
  area
• New plans are being created for the existing
  building and what should be placed there

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THE ENDANY QUESTIONS