This page  traces a series of musical venues that existed at 242 Nicollet Ave. in Downtown Minneapolis.

THE BUILDING

The history of this building is difficult to figure out, because the permit card starts with an alteration to an existing building – dated 1885.  Then it looks like part of it was demolished, and it was rebuilt in 1905 at a cost of $40,000.  It’s clear that early on it was the site of a saloon, but there were so many selective demolitions that it takes a greater mind than mind than mine to sort it out.  The dimensions when it was finally demolished for good were 40 x 90, four stories.  A note from 1920 mentions that it was called the Old Kaiserhoff Building.

---

 

KAISERHOFF RESTAURANT

Max Ziemer was the proprietor of the Kaiserhoff German restaurant at 242-244 Nicollet Ave. in November 1913.

In May 1916, it was advertised as the New Kaiserhoff, at 242 Nicollet.  Music was furnished by the seven-piece Ladies Orchestra.

 

---

 

AMERICAN CAFE

In a prototypical move around the time of World War I, the German name of this restaurant was changed to the patriotic “American Cafe” in about September 1917.  To add to the American theme, the Blue Plate Special was dubbed the Hoover Plate Service.  Music was provided by an eight piece combo playing New Orleans Jazz.

 

In May 1918, owner Max Ziemer was brought to court on charges of violating the State Public Safety Commission orders regarding sales of liquor to women.  This violation was commonly known in the press as “Lid Tipping,” or tipping open the lid on the rules that kept the town decent and crime free.  I just happened to see this postcard on Facebook that demonstrates the Lid being held down in Minneapolis.

 

When the New American Cafe opened on September 2, 1918, patrons were promised a Jazz Band concert, but no liquor was served.  The manager was Jack Thompson.

In February 1919, the Auto Show was in town, and the night clubs all vied for business from in-town and out-of-town guests.  The Garden City Quintet provided the musical entertainment.  In case that that couplet is hard to read, it says,

“Never since the world began

Has wholesome fun hurt anyone”

 

But alas, on April 20, 1919, Max ran afoul of another Lid Tipping charge, and by August 1920, the New American Cafe appears to be gone.