Big 4 Store

These buildings were constructed between 1907 and 1913 and typify early 20th century commercial structures. Both businesses remained until the 1930s and helped to anchor the west end of Minnesota Avenue for many years. Prior to the 20th century, this end of Minnesota Avenue remained relatively undeveloped. The first building at the site of the Big 4 Second Hand Store, was a 1½ story frame house built in 1884, which was really the only building at the end of this block through 1900. Around 1900, there were Chinese laundries at both sites.

Historic Name:
Big 4 Store
Current Name:
Old World Cabinet Shop

Builder:
Unknown

Original Use:
Store; Lodgings
Current Use:
Store

Physical Description:
This is a 2 story commercial building, constructed of red brick. The building is a rectangular mass, occupying a full city lot, and fronting north onto Minnesota Avenue. The primary façade is typical of the early 20th century, with a symmetrical storefront having a recessed central entrance. At the west side, a secondary entrance opens into a stairwell accessing the upper floor. The storefront and entrance both have transoms above, and are spanned by flat brick arches.

On the second floor, four windows are placed symmetrically across the elevation. These also have flat arches at the heads, and both the heads and sills tie into raised brick courses that belt the façade and tie the fenestration together. Original windows (most likely double-hung, 1-over-1) have been replaced with fixed glazing. The top of the north façade is finished with decorative rows of corbeled and denticulated brick, with brick coping at the top. On the east and west, the building abuts one-story masses, however, the second story is visible above them. On the east elevation, segmental-arched brick openings house double-hung, 1-over-1 windows. There is also a painted sign panel on the masonry, white on black, partially painted over in brick red. On the west elevation, a newer single story garage has been added. Above this, three square, 3 pane windows swing open. The south elevation opens onto the alley. The newer garage partially wraps the back, however, segmental brick arches over original windows remain.

Historical and Architectural Significance:
The Big 4 Store building at 2922 Minnesota Avenue is a typical early 20th century commercial building. Linked to the Minnesota business corridor, it helped to anchor the west end of Minnesota Avenue downtown for many years. Currently it is one of the few buildings along Minnesota that still holds an active small business.

Architecturally, the building is a standard two-story commercial building, with simple brick embellishments and symmetrical recessed-entry storefront. It is a well-preserved, still functional business space, representative of patterns and architecture which emerged in this part of downtown during the early 1900s.