From the Canby News February 24, 1988

by Florence Anderson
The old Merritt Store building on Porter’s main street, with its peeling paint and fading memories, has been a part of the business section of Porter since1882. On a Wednesday afternoon last week, the walls came a tumblin’ down and another little segment of Porter’s history was no more.
From that day in 1882, when Ole Dahl started his general store with $500 worth of groceries, until it closed in 1986, the building has changed hands a number of times.
The first building was a 12 X 16' x 8' structure and, in addition to the general store, it also housed the post office. Later, the building was enlarged and the general store was changed to a hardware store, which Included shoe making and harness repair. It was also home to Charlie Davins’ saloon at one time.
During those years, the second story of the building was used as the city hall. Entrance was by
way of an outside stairway and any recreational activity that involved the townspeople was held there. Among the activities were movies, home talent plays, school plays and dances. Pots and pans on the shelves of the hardware store below often ‘danced’ to the music of a lively tune being played in the hall above.
The Methodist and Lutheran church ladies took turns every other year serving meals and lunches for the Market Day sale and the city hall was the only place with enough room to accommodate the large crowds. All the food, dishes etc. had to be carried up the long outside stairway and at the end of the day, carried down again.
In 1916, the hardware store was purchased by Olaf Gunderson and Jacob Jacobson who started an Our Own Hardware and continued in business until 1945. From then until 1956, the store changed hands several times and owners were Mr. Gorski, Walt Larson and Paul Lewis.
In 1956, Norman and Bertha Risdahl bought the building and moved their grocery store from the building they had purchased from Merle Miller in 1953. In 1961, they so1d to Norman and Margaret Flynn who then moved to an apartment above the store.
In February, 1976, the store was sold to Bob and Mary Ann Merritt. When they discontinued the grocery business Larry and Cheryl Giese bought it and moved their cafe from the adjacent building.
After a short time, Charles Richter bought the cafe and operated it until it was sold to Paul
Kubiszewski. The cafe closed in 1986 and, at that time, the Porter Grocery and Locker made space in their store for a makeshift cafe. Since their store closed last fall. Porter has been without a cafe and grocery store.
Not being able to gather for coffee and an exchange of the news was unheard of in Porter. A trip to the post office at 8:30 every morning automatically meant a stop for coffee for many Porterites. The community also misses the convenience of having a grocery store nearby. Plans were soon made to remedy the situation.
A meeting was held in early September to get the feeling of the people as to what they wanted for their town. It was evident that there was a definite desire to find a way to house a store-cafe.
At an organizational meeting on September 22, l987 a board was elected to work on plans for such a venture. Members of this board were: Dan Dybsetter, chairman; Lois Lensing, secretary; Doug Anderson, treasurer; Stan Knutson and Pat Vlaminck. This group has met every Saturday morning since then. Their main objective so far has been working to obtain grants for the building. They have drawn Up the by- laws for the corporation and have been checking into equipment for tine new building.
At the September meeting, a decision was also made to sell shares at $50 each as a means of
securing funds. Solicitors canvassed the town and countryside. The drive met with great success and
soon $14,000 had been raised. It was gratifying to note that not only local folks but persons from
neighboring communities came forward and bought shares. An additional $15,000 has been pledged by local organizations, according to Jon Thomsen, Porter city clerk.
It was about this time that optimistic committee members posted a sign in the window of the old building reading, “Future site of the Porter store.” Now thinking changed from “if it can be done” to “When will it be done?”
Porter's is not a unique situation. Many small towns have suffered from the loss of businesses. Jim Schoneman, mayor of Porter, commented, “The economy of all small rural towns is based on agriculture and 'as the farmers go, so goes the town.’ The decision to build this new cafe and store is a good community project and will replace several of our lost business places.”
"The city council discussed a variety of alternates before making the final decision to tear down the building,” Schoneman added.
According to Dan Dybsetter, The building to be erected will be44 'x 48' and, in addition to a
convenience store and cafe, will also house an adjacent meeting room. This will be a public meeting room where local organizations such as the Legion,, Town and Country Club, gun club, Firearms training and 4-H clubs can meet. The committee is hoping to get the Meals on Wheels program started here.
If the recent grant from the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Funds had not materialized, the meeting room would have been cut from the plans and a smaller building erected.
Because of the easy access to the main street location, It was decided to build on the site of the old
building. Kockelman's Construction crew razed the old structure on February 17 and trucks hauled away the debris. The basement was filled in with gravel which was firmly packed to make a good foundation for the new building. Construction is scheduled to begin soon.
Much of the construction work will be donated labor by town and country workers. There is no deadline for completion of the building, but, if weather cooperates, work is expected to progress rapidly.
Community spirit in Porter has always been strong and enthusiasm is high for this new venture.
Working together for a common cause has been done many times in tine past and the community is ready and waiting to do whatever is necessary to complete this new project.

Back to Porter's unique idea