Kay   down the street -- 2001-03-01

Ralph and Jerrys also has new occupants. I'm very sad they closed the place down... Santana's is nice enough, but I miss being able to get the MN Daily, City Pages, and a SoBe there after work!!

ryan   Mpls. -- 2004-01-27

Rumor has it that Bob Dylan lived in one of the sets of apartments across from this location. I drove by the other day and if I remember correctly, the church was torn down as well...

Suzanne   Portland, OR -- 2005-02-08

This place used to make the bomb subs.

Candi   Minnesota -- 2005-05-26

I used to work there. Bob apparently lived in the apartment right next to the milk sign and also in the middle brownstone across the street.
My tenure at R&J's was one of the best times in my life. Granted, I was poor, intoxicated and pissed at the establishment, but, hey, that's what living in a subversive college community was all about.
Thanks to Rick for giving us freaks a place to hang out, eat and make some friends, music and money...

John G   Plymouth, MN -- 2005-06-03

This building was Bassett's Drug Store in the '30s and '40s. Dr. Halvorson, a dentist, had his office upstairs. The church is St Andrews Presbyterian, and had a two-lane bowling alley in the basement. Pins were set by hand. I delivered papers in the area and would have a fountain lemon coke at Bassetts after my route. Birchwood Apartments were across the street. I attended Marcy school on 7th St. and 11th Avenue K-6, then went to Marshall.

afh3   Woodbury, MN -- 2005-08-10

If this picture had been taken from 10' further to the left, you could see the old apartment I lived in circa 1978 or so.
R&J's was an institution even back then. (Wiping tear from eye.)

Josh G   Austin, TX -- 2005-12-11

I worked the 11-7am shift at R and Js for 2 years. Despite getting robbed once at knifepoint, I had a total blast working there. Fun times indeed!

Craig   Cincinnati -- 2006-10-28

Ralph & Jerry's is an institution. I lived near here in 1967-68. We depended heavily on it for everything from cigarettes to rotiserrie chicken.

Mike   Oregon -- 2007-08-03

"Eat and Spend Money."
That's the motto printed on the T-shirt I bought there in 85/86.
The shirt eventually fell to pieces.
Thanks for the pictures of the neighborhood. They're priceless.

Lounger   Pittsburgh, PA -- 2007-08-08

In the '70s the matchbook read: "Culture Center...Groceries Too." Just to fool ya, it also had a black line printed at the bottom the matchbook opposite the real striking surface. I'm embarrassed to tell you how many times I tried to light a match on that dang stripe. Still it was a more reliable matchbook than the King Edward Cigarallo cheapies they gave out at the Valli.

JM   Golden Valley -- 2007-11-19

I remember I met an actor girl (Pam?) around 1969 and got up the nerve to ask her out. She lived above R&J's and when I went to pick her up she said come on in. Her roommates were walking around topless and acted like this was totally normal. I tried not to stare. The date went bad when she told me her "boyfriend " was coming with us. That is something I hadn't thought about in a VERY long time. I was incredibly naive by any contemporary standard.

Greybeard   Minneapolis -- 2008-01-21

More info on the church can be found in comments under photo #35 in this series.

Greybeard   Minneapolis -- 2008-01-21

The church was indeed torn down. If I remember news reports correctly, its north wall developed hazardous structural problems and it was too expensive to repair. The last time I drove by, there was some sort of commemorative plaque on the former church site. On that day, 12/28/2007, the Santana Foods that took over Ralph & Jerry's space had closed, too. The building was posted for lease. The other Santana Foods at 601 University Ave. S.E. was still open.

MARK   SCOTTSDALE -- 2008-05-16

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE GREAT CALENDARS THEY HAD IN 1969 AND 1970? I'D LOVE TO GET MY HANDS ON ONE

josh s   richfield -- 2008-05-20

my dad was ralph of ralph and jerry's
i wish i could've been around to see that place, i've heard so many stories

James   St. Paul -- 2008-07-07

I worked at Ralph and Jerry's in the mid to late nineties up until it was bought out by Food and Fuel. They did not do so well and the mighty Rick came forth and bought it and turned it back into Ralph and Jerry's. I worked there again and miss all my friends from that time. Paul and Rick and Candi especially. Hope you all are well!

James   St. Paul -- 2008-07-07

Oops... I just realized I was typing Rick and It was Rich! Sorry Rich... also I better add Chuck and by proxy Amanda to my miss them list. :)