This page covers two venues at the same location:

Miller’s Cafe

Colony Club

---

 

MILLER’S CAFE

John W. Miller ran a chain of cafeterias in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and the Iron Range in the 1920s.  In 1922 the/a St. Paul location was at 439 Wabasha.

Joined at the Hip says that in 1941 the Cafe was on St. Peter Street, and Wally Olson’s band played for more than a decade.  Indeed, in September 1945, there was a Miller’s Cafe at 492 St. Peter Street.  In November 1949,the address was cited as 488 St. Peter Street and the owner was identified as George Miller.  An article from February 1950 said that the bar had lost its license and that the address was actually 492 Wabasha.

---

 

COLONY CLUB

In November and December 1952 we see 492 Wabasha as the home of the Colony Club.

The first big act was the Harmonicats, who opened on November 3, 1952.

 

 

Will Jones remarked in his entertainment column that the club was hiring big acts that used to make Minneapolis a regular stop.  (Minneapolis Tribune, November 7, 1952)

Singer Jan August was next, and she required a $7,000 piano for her act.  It had to be rented from… Minneapolis.

 

---

 

In December 1952 the club hosted Bill Lawrence, the singing star of Arthur Godfrey’s show.

 

Apparently the club didn’t make a go of it – searches under Colony Club and the address rendered no hits except for Colony Club shoes or the club in New York.

 

Also see this page for another Colony Club in the area.