Al Larson and His Hopkins Haberdashery
49 Years of Hopkins History
by Mary Raabe
first published in 2001
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Do you know what the following people had in common: Fritz Marso, Stan Pelci, Don Kral, Cliff Butler, Frank Whitney, Bruce McQueen, Art Anfinsen, Vivian Blomquist, Don Escher, Harold "Frenchy" Faucher, Gordy Johnson, Marion Stepanek, Jerome Welch, Thelma Larson, Paul Hetland, Clair Larson, Ann Larson, Doug Myhre, Bill Perry, Steve Steege, Dennis Walz, Jerry Keeley, Adrian Meyers, Bob Christensen, Dennis Even, Al Larson, Walt Borchardt, Pete Cermak, Jan Hanvey, Henry Spott, Mike Quinn, Allen Kennedy, Robin Crandall, Rich Faucher, Tom Faucher, Alice Grasslie, Helen Lubbers, and Steve Olson?
They all worked at Larson's Clothing Store! 
A. G. Larson Clothiers parade float, probably from a Raspberry Festival parade in the 1940s. Photograph from HHS archives, 2006.232.15
 A. G. Larson and Company's window display for Father's Day. Display done by Fritz Marso. Photograph from HHS archives, 2017.29.924
Many of us on the Board recall walking down Excelsior Avenue and seeing the mechanical Santa in Al Larson's Christmas window. What a wonderful memory to kick off the Christmas season not so far off.
At the young age of 10, Al Larson moved with his family to Hopkins. He graduated from Hopkins High in 1925 and immediately joined the sales staff at Nelson Shoes, Inc. In August of 1929, he purchased the haberdashery from Jimmy Anderson where the Knutson Liquor store formerly operated. The Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company had just merged with two other companies to become Minneapolis Moline, Mayor Joseph Vesely was hanging out his shingle as a lawyer, and the new 'White Way' project was nearing completion. A year later, when the Great Depression was deepening, he moved to quarters in the Odd Fellows Building at 9th and Excelsior where he operated a larger store for 3 years. In 1936, he moved to still larger quarters next to Nelson Shoes and from there he offered his first line of men's and boys' wear until he sold his business to Michael Quinn in 1973, Hopkins resident and Larson's store employee. Michael Quinn owned and operated the store (Quinn's Clothing) until he sold it in 1978.
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Al Larson in composite photo of students from grades 7 and 8 in East End School. Photograph from HHS archives, donated by Al Larson, 2004.6.1
Al's devotion to the clothing business never deterred him from active participation in civic affairs. He was one of the organizers of the Raspberry Festival and, along with Andy Justus, coordinated the Grande Day Parade. He was active in Boy Scouting for most of his life and much of the success of the BSA in Hopkins is attributable to Al. He served as chairman of the Zoning and Planning Commission and was chairman of the Hopkins Urban Renewal Project. In 1959 he led the project to provide more parking in Hopkins, something for which we are all grateful! He also served as Hopkins Chamber of Commerce Director and Hopkins Rotary President.
Even though Al retired from his business, he never retired from an active life. In his retirement, he traveled extensively and served on the Hopkins Historical Society board of directors. I remember taking my dad (Paul Anderson) to HHS meetings and eating cookies made by Al! He also remained active in the Boy Scouts and the Hopkins Rotary. Al served for 50 years in the Rotary with perfect attendance! Al currently resides at Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins. His wife Evelyn died in 1964. He has two children, Al and Ann, both retired teachers, and four grandchildren. 
Hopkins Commercial bowling champions in 1957-1958. Stan Mishke, Al Larson, Mike Brecka, George Kerber, Neal Nelson, Walt Erickson, Gil Kehr, Carl Jacobson, George Condon. Photograph from HHS archives, donated by Al Larson, 2006.232.13
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The Historical Society salutes this fine gentleman for all his many contributions to Hopkins!
Sources
We thank Al Larson Jr. and Michael Quinn for their contributions to this article.
Some information was taken from the July 1973 Hopkins Sun.
Some information was taken from the July 1973 Hopkins Sun.