This page is about the many businesses (mostly grocery stores) that have inhabited the building at 2326 Louisiana Ave., a part of the Westwood Shopping Center. For the history of the Shopping Center itself, please see that page.
Because there were so many entries for this address on that page, this is an attempt to consolidate them and put them in order, as best we can.
National Food Store, October 1964 to April/August 1980. Name changed to National Supermarkets in the 1970s. Plans called for a new architectural feature, a post-free construction that would allow for 100 foot clear span of wood laminated beams. The Dispatch reported that the store would have a sloping ceiling and 17 foot high glass show windows. The second week of the Grand Opening Celebration featured prizes (a Hammond organ and a Zenith console TV) and the famous “Red Dot Clown” who passed out free Red Dot samples.
In 1980 the Federal Trade Commission ordered parent owner National Tea to sell the store as a result of an antitrust violation. An August 20, 1980, Minneapolis Star article stated that the store was to be sold to Fritz Tyra, who operated two Super Valu stores in North Minneapolis and Navarre.
Applelbaum’s Grocery Store: April 1980 to October 18, 1980. At the time, Applebaum’s had 39 stores in the Twin Cities.
Robb’s Super Valu: October 19, 1980 to May/October 1985. Owned by Fritz Tyra, Robb and Rhonda Breitenbach. Most of the newspaper hits for Robb’s were theft reports, which made it a bold move to name a store Robb’s…
Bernie’s Super Valu: August 1985 to 1995/96. Owned by Bernard and Brigid Purdy. In 1986 the store was completely destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and reopened in the spring of 1987. The Jewish Family and Children’s Service Grocery Bus would bring senior citizens from around St. Louis Park to Bernie’s Super Valu every Tuesday because Tuesdays were senior citizens day and they would get a discount on their groceries.
In March 1990, Bernie’s was caught in a nationwide crackdown by the U.S. Labor Department for violations of child labor regulations. They were fined $6,050 for employing 14- and 15-year olds for more hours than were allowed. Six other employers were fined in Minnesota; approximately 14,000 minors were found to be working for hundreds of employers illegally across the nation. (Minneapolis Tribune, May 16, 1990)
Almsted’s Super Valu: November 14, 1997 to September 17, 2011. Owned by Jim Almsted.
Jerry’s Do It Best Hardware: Opened February 16, 2012
Jerry’s Hardware started as a single store in Edina, and is owned by Jerry’s Enterprises, Inc., which also operates Jerry’s Foods, Jerry’s Printing, and a number of Cub Foods locations in the Twin Cities. Jerry’s Hardware is also a part of the Do It Best retailer’s cooperative. In November 2024, Do It Best acquired True Value out of Bankruptcy for $153 million, which included more than 4,500 True Value stores. Jerry’s Hardware has announced that it will close in early 2026. (Sun Sailor, St. Louis Park/Hopkins, November 6, 2025)