The Glass Block Then and Now
The L. S. Donaldson Co. was founded in 1883 and “The Glass Block” was built in 1884. The unique building at the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and Seventh Street included a small dome that was lit at night. The store was acquired by Allied Stores Corp. in 1928. Sadly the Glass Block was dismantled for scrap metal and renovated beyond its recognition during the Second World War.
1912
Donaldson’s flagship store left its old building and moved across the street to the new City Center development when it opened in 1982. The original store complex, which occupied half a city block, burned in the Thanksgiving Day Fire along with the Northwestern National Bank Building. The block is currently occupied by the Gaviidae Common and Wells Fargo Center.
2011
In 1985 Donaldson’s acquired its struggling rival, Powers Dry Goods which gave it some breathing room against Dayton’s. In 1987 Donaldson’s was purchased by Carson Pirie Scott & Co. and Donaldson’s was no more. Carson’s in its turn was acquired by P.A. Bergner & Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1989. They filed for bankruptcy in 1991. Carson’s and Bergner’s are now owned by The Bon-Ton Stores.
