It's tantalizingly close to being legible. Obviously, they sold box springs, studio lounges (whatever that is) and spring filled mattresses. It may now be Twin Cities Paper Supply, and they may have obscured the sign on purpose (if so, a pox on them I say!).I was about to give up, but I think I've got it! It's Land-O-Nod! (From the stuff-o-stuff school of branding, with at least one other local adherent). Google delivered that much, but having figured that out, I've not got all that much more to say. They apparently made mattresses (who woulda thunk) and got a trademark in 1965 for "chiropractic" that resulted in litigation with their rivals and an 8th Cir. opinion in 1983. I don't know what happened to them, but given that I haven't heard of them, they probably didn't last too much longer after that.
You can see what might have been a factory, warehouse or just show room at the intersection of Broadway and Tyler near Central NE.
Nice post; check out this original Land-O-Nod sign: http://tiny.cc/rmvknw
ReplyDeleteYou are correct! It was indeed a factory and showroom. This company provided bedding, and later furniture under the Richwell brand, manufactured in Cokato, Mn.
ReplyDeleteOperated since at least the early 40's by the Olson family, and later, 1970 ish by the Hartwell family. This building also displayed a large Land O Nod sign on the roof, facing the broadway/Central intersection. The doors closed about 1985, largely as an attempt to shed itself of union labor.
Where did you find the info on Land-O-Nod? I'd love to know a little more. We recently found a mattress with a Land-O-Nod tag on it when we cleaned out Great Grandma's house. I'm trying to figure out its age.
DeleteThanks for the info! I think there is now a microbrewery in the building.
ReplyDeleteI knew a fellow, now passed away, who worked at the Land 'O Nod factory there. He and his family were Latvian refugees after WWII and he was so happy for the stable life and employment here.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Land-O-Nod as an accountant, which would have been around 1984. They primarily made mattresses. I moved to AZ in 1985 and the company was not doing well at that time, it eventually went out of business but its sister company Richwell Furniture survived. I was 23 years old when I started working there, 56 now, so it's very bizarre to see it depicted as a "ghost sign"! Cool idea you have though.
ReplyDeleteI own a land-o-nod mattress actually. They were super high quality. Enough so that even after nearly 60 years of use they are holding up better than a new mattress just a couple years out of the factory.
ReplyDeleteMy dad worked at Land O Nod in the 70s and into early 80s. It would make him so happy to hear that your mattress is still holding up! He was proud of their quality.
DeleteI also owned one until today, not sure when my parents bought it but it was at least 40 years old. It was still possible to sleep on, but the cover was too worn out to keep it.
Deletemst3k brought me here
ReplyDeletehttps://www.annotatedmst.com/episodes/59/Attack_of_the_Eye_Creatures
I have a sofa that I brought home from an unused room at the cabin where a mid century sleeper sofa that seems to be made of leather or nagahide sat for over 25 years. The label on the mattress carriage says Richwell Fine Furniture, a subdivision of Land O Nod, Minneapolis, MN. Curious about its popularity and value. It's in near mint condition.
ReplyDeleteMy step dad worked there. My mom still has 2 mattresses from there. We moved to Northern Minnesota after the place closed. I guess i didn't know he lost his job there. i was way too young
ReplyDeleteLand O Nod was started by my maternal grandparents, Harry and Theodosia Olson. When Harry passed, his son, also named Harry, took it over. Harry (Jr.) had 3 wonderful children whom I adore. When son Harry passed, his sister, Phyllis (my mother) took over the company and ran it and it continued to thrive for about 7 years. She decided to sell the company and sold it to Hartwell. After this time, the company didn’t do so well (I’m guessing many factors contributed, including the market, how mattresses were being made, I really don’t know). Harry Olson (Sr.) immigrated with his brothers from Sweden. He and Theodosia met in North Carolina while working at a mattress company, married, and moved to Minneapolis, where they then started Land O Nod. My grandfather, who I never met, was very conscientious, and was the kind of person who just naturally commanded respect. My grandmother was as loving, understanding, strong and independent minded as anyone could be. I loved being with her. The Land O Nod sign has a picture of a little girl on it, which is my mother.
ReplyDeleteWasnt there a large bulletin board on Central Ave from Land o Nod. I remember it as a child in the 60s. As I recall the Bulletin board had a picture of a baby sleeping?
ReplyDelete