Hockin Brace & Paleen opened larger furniture store in 1925

Paul Lundgren May 11, 2025 4 Comments

One hundred years ago today — May 11, 1925 — the Hockin Brace & Paleen furniture store opened in the new building on the corner of Lake Avenue and West First Street in Duluth. The location is best known today as the Usan building, home of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce since 2002.

No goods were sold on the store’s opening night. Instead, there was live music by the Charles Helmer Orchestra.

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4 Comments

Gina Temple-Rhodes

about 1 month ago 

I want to know what the souvenir and the "surprise event" was later in the evening! 

From the ad:
 

Gina Temple-Rhodes

about 1 month ago 

Well, there was some coverage the next day. Cigars for the men, and ??? for the women. One store of that era gave away silver spoons. So it's still a mystery. The "surprise event" was just giving away furniture.
 

Gina Temple-Rhodes

about 1 month ago 

Also, here's a photo from around that opening time.

Gina Temple-Rhodes

about 1 month ago 

The Depression was not kind to this company. It went out of business in 1933.
 

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