Boulevard Cafe, Golden Valley
There were at least a couple of establishments called the Boulevard; this one was at 5530 Wayzata Blvd. in Golden Valley. Until 1931, the road would have been referred to as Superior Boulevard.
This Boulevard Cafe started out as a run-down roadhouse, owned by William J. Schindler, who had owned Bill’s Place (5410 Wayzata Blvd.).
Boulevard Dance Hall
Harold and Cecelia Lynch became partners in the place in 1943.
In 1945 there was Dancing Every Night – it was probably an early jazz venue.
Iver Stanger was the proprietor in 1945, and he put his name on every ad. And the ads were very verbose. He called the place the New Boulevard.
This looks like an early menu. Image courtesy Hennepin County Library
Image Hennepin County Library
In August 1945 Stanger lost his on-sale liquor license because too many had been issued.
Minneapolis Star, October 16, 1945
The place was raided on August 30, 1947, for illegal liquor sales.
Here’s a view from the inside, taken on Mother’s Day, 1948.
Photo courtesy Joe Chadwick
In 1949, Tommy McGovern, his piano and Orchestra, provided music for dancing every evening except the traditionally slow Mondays.
Minneapolis Star, Thursday, March 3, 1949
Harold E. Lynch and Norman Laswell applied jointly for a liquor license in August 1951. Laswell had worked at McCarthy’s in 1947.
In 1951, Norman Laswell was identified as the Manager. Stanger had moved on to be the manager of the food department of the Casanova Bar, Downtown.
Harold E. Lynch bought the property in about 1953.
Minnesota Daily, July 19, 1956, courtesy Robb Henry
Matchbook courtesy Gordon K. Andersen
1958
Boulevard Match Front, courtesy Gordon K. Andersen
Boulevard Match Back, courtesy Gordon K. Andersen
In its prime, the Boulevard had an extensive menu. The picture below may be too small to see, but it covers a lot of ground.
Menu courtesy Scott Smith
Menu courtesy Scott Smith
In 1960, Harold’s son Robert Lynch became a partner in the business.
Boulevard – 1962 image courtesy Minnesota Historical Society
1963: “Ours is a humble place, but we think we have something to offer you.”
1967: dancing nightly to the Richard Conrad Trio.
1969: New Tyrol Lounge.
Minneapolis Star, August 13, 1971
1973: Dance to the Skylarks in the main dining room every Friday and Saturday night, and the “Carnegie Hall of Piano Bars,” frequently featuring my fourth grade music teacher, Judy Moen.
February 7, 1974
A salad bar replaced the dance floor in the main dining room in 1978. (Minneapolis Star, March 13, 1980)
Harold E. Lynch died on March 8, 1980.
The Piano Bar in the Loft was removed in 1980. (Minneapolis Star, March 13, 1980)
The restaurant was closed abruptly on July 2, 1982, and employees weren’t paid their final paychecks.
Contents were auctioned off in October 1985
The Boulevard was torn down for construction of I-394.