Lion’s Den
The Lion’s Den was located at 1160 Frost Ave. (west of English) in Maplewood, by Lake Phalen. The building was formerly a VFW Hall.
START-UP
An article in the Minneapolis Star dated April 3, 1964, announced that the new teen club had been approved by the Maplewood Village Council, and that it was expected to open on May 2. It would be owned and operated by four young men: Joseph Chenoweth, 18; Thomas M. Smith, 22; Jack Tucci, 17; and Peter M. Dahlin, 17.
It was planned to have an adult night club atmosphere, with everything except alcohol. Pizza and burgers would be served, along with soft drinks and “non-alcoholic cocktails.” Someone remembered Ginger Beer.
The article attributed the idea to Chenoweth, who was a freshman at the U of M at the time. He and Smith estimated that the cost of operation would be $500 per month, excluding the cost of bands. At first, financing would come from personal savings and “some parents’ help.”
MEMORIES OF THE LION’S DEN
Harold Kempka remembers that their radio ads always played “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens. He also says, “ What was cool was that kids from different high schools got together for a fun evening and as far as I can remember, there were very few fights or disturbances.”
By 1966, the Lion’s Den was one of three teen clubs in the Twin Cities. Bands that played there included the Deacons, the Lancers, and the High Spirits, who were featured in a spread in the March 20, 1966, St. Paul Sunday Pioneer Press.
Facebook memories include the fact that it was very HOT in the summer – there was air conditioning, but it was inadequate to handle a bunch of hot, sweaty teens.
It was also LOUD, with the amps overwhelming the rather small space.
And it was a place where Baldie and Animal boys and girls apparently coexisted in peace and harmony…
THE LANCERS
One of the bands that played there was the Lancers, and Gerry Francis of that group recently posted some great photos taken at the Lions Den on Facebook.
This first one is of Jen and Tom. Jen was always at the Door selling tickets to get in. I’ve lightened it up a bit so you can see the inside of the room better.
Photo courtesy Gerry Francis
And below is a photo of the Lancers themselves in 1964: Gerry Francis, Bob Ramsey, Lorenzo Whitmarsh, Bruce Pedalty, and Clayt Brunette.
Photo courtesy Gerry Francis
By March 1971, 1160 Frost Ave. in St. Paul was the address Arctic Midwest Distributors.