Van's Cafe, Brainerd, Minnesota - Postcards

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Van's Cafe Postcard - Mid-1930s

The exterior is now stucco (it had been the wood slat siding from the original Brainerd Lumber Headquarters building through the early 1930s) and the well-known inverted-T corner sign has not yet been installed. This seems to be a limited local postcard - note the "Photo by Gorham", a local studio in the 1920s and 1930s. (Postcard from Van Essen family collection)

Van's Cafe Postcard - Pre-1941

This postcard is from prior to the major "art-deco" remodeling done in 1941 (see Van's Cafe Modernized By $10,000 Project page). The black glass in front is only two feet high and the "Tasty Food / Popular Prices" slogan is on the overhang above the front door. The small alcove dining room added on during the 1941 remodeling is not shown in this postcard. (Postcard from Van Essen family collection)

Van's Cafe Postcard - Early 1940s

This linen postcard is from shortly after the major "art-deco" remodeling done in 1941 (see Van's Cafe Modernized By $10,000 Project page). The black glass in front is still only two feet high and the "Tasty Food / Popular Prices" slogan is still on the overhang above the front door. The small alcove dining room has now been added on, there are neon signs in the front windows, and best of all, the corner sign was updated with an "art-deco" look. (Postcard from Van Essen family collection)

Van's Cafe Postcard - Early 1950s

This postcard is from the 1950s after the tall black glass and the third front window was added. (Postcard from Van Essen family collection)

Van's Cafe Postcard - 1960s

This postcard is from shortly before the banquet room was added on in the mid-1960s. (Postcard from Van Essen family collection)