Mulligatawny Turkey Soup from Donaldson’s Department Store in Minneapolis

The story of Donaldson’s department store began with two brothers from Scotland, William and Lawrence S. Donaldson. Before leaving their mark on the Twin Cities, the Donaldsons worked as salesmen across the United States. Eventually, both found their way to Minneapolis, where they established a retail empire spanning decades.

William’s arrival in 1881 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Starting with a position at Auerbach, Finch, Van Slyke and Company, he quickly made a name for himself. By 1882, he had opened a small shop at 309 Nicollet Avenue, offering men’s and women’s clothing. The business grew at a rapid pace, and in 1883, Lawrence joined his brother in the venture. Their success was evident when, in the same year, William purchased a new location at the corner of Nicollet Avenue and Sixth Street in the iconic Glass Block building.

The brothers didn’t stop there. They acquired the Colton Company, which owned the Glass Block, and expanded their operations. Despite its location on the outskirts of downtown, the Donaldsons store thrived from the outset. By the end of their first year, demand had outgrown the original Glass Block. In 1884, the building was torn down and replaced with a larger, grander structure. The new store became a local landmark and a mark of the city’s growing cosmopolitan identity.

When William passed away in 1899, Lawrence took sole ownership of the business, rebranding it as L. S. Donaldson’s in 1907. Under his leadership, the store flourished, becoming more than just a retailer. Like many department stores of the era, Donaldson’s was a vibrant civic hub, hosting fashion shows, art exhibits, lectures, and holiday celebrations. It was not just a store, but a gathering place for Minneapolis residents.

Lawrence expanded the business further by purchasing the Gimbel-Zimmer property in 1912, securing an entire city block for his enterprise. When he passed away in 1924, the store became affectionately known as Donaldson’s. In 1929, the business was sold to Hahn Department Stores while retaining the Donaldson’s name and its dedicated staff.

In the following years, Donaldson’s expanded its presence with locations in suburban malls like Brookdale, Rosedale, and Ridgedale. In 1982, the downtown flagship store moved to the new City Center complex. Tragically, the original Glass Block building was destroyed by arson that Thanksgiving.

By 1987, Donaldson’s operated 12 stores but struggled to compete with Dayton’s. Chicago-based Carson Pirie Scott acquired the chain and rebranded it as Carson’s. Without the local recognition of the Donaldson’s name, the stores faltered, marking the end of an era for the once-iconic retailer.