Founded by Andy Borg and Mick Paulucci, Grandma’s Saloon opened at 522 S. Lake Ave. on Feb. 8, 1976. The undated postcard shown above depicts the restaurant’s early days, when it went by the name Grandma’s Saloon & Deli. The moniker eventually was changed to Grandma’s Saloon & Grill.

The text on the back of the postcard reads:

Grandma’s is located at the foot of one of Minnesota’s largest tourist attractions, the Aerial Lift Bridge. While dining at Grandma’s, you’ll watch international ocean going vessels passing thru the ship canal on their way to grain elevators and various docks within the harbor.

Grandma’s Restaurant Co. slowly grew from this single restaurant into a chain of eateries in Minnesota and also briefly in North Dakota and North and South Carolina.