Paul, I hate to do this, but...

Actually, Mr. Nick's first opened in 1970 by owner Nick Patronas as Mr. Nick's Burger King. At some point Mr. Patronas struck a deal with Burger King, Inc.: by giving up the "burger king" name (which apparently he had before BK trademarked it), Patronas received exclusive rights for BKs in MN north of Hinckley -- or at least so goes the popular story. I have been told that is the reason the Duluth Burger Kings often do not honor national promotions: Unlike the old BK advertising slogan's promise to have it your way, Mr. Petronas runs his BK restaurants his way. Of course, I may just be repeating rumors...

The building at 220 West Superior Street was home to restaurants long before Mr. Nick's, and to find them one just need search the Duluth City Directories at the DPL. So the location wasn't always the curse, but it is my theory that the development of the Mall area, which all but killed downtown retail, also doomed most eateries that not only relied on a business lunch crowd but on feeding shoppers as well.

Meanwhile, here's just a little history of the building, a draft of something Maryanne Norton and I are working on:

Duluth Herald Building

220 West Superior Street
Architects: Oliver G. Traphagen & Francis W. Fitzpatrick
Built: 1893

Millie Bunnell built this three-story Neoclassical building to house his Duluth Herald. An evening newspaper, the Herald served Duluth from 1883 until 1982 when it was absorbed by the Duluth News Tribune (the two newspapers had merged in the 1930s). Built of tan brick, the building features limestone panels and a projecting metal cornice over letters spelling out THE HERALD. A 1996 remodeling faced the first floor exterior with stucco. In 1900 the Duluth Trunk Company leased the first floor, staying there until 1920. The newspaper moved out in 1902, and for much of the building's history it has been occupied by cafés, including Mr. Nick's Burger King — home of the Charburger — from 1970 to 2002 (including several years as a Burger King franchise). Its basement was the longtime home of the Mirror Lounge, now home to R. T. Quinlan's.

Paul: it seems it's always more complicated! And the 1958 reference makes more sense when you consider the whole "who-first-owned-the-name" question. Thanks!

Tom (Tom W.?): I'll take a look through the city directories the next time I'm at the DPL for Mr. Nick's and for businesses at 222 West Sup since Duluth Trunk left in 1922. 

Of course, someone could just call Nick P. and just ask him, I suppose.... Too bad none of us is both a journalist and a very nice man....