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VFW/Northern Grounds
E. Chapman Properties, LLC
The former VFW underwent a historic preservation to house the new Northern Grounds coffee shop and wine bar. The work on this property was awarded an Impact Award from the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.
History
The VFW building is eye-catching in its historic simplicity at the heart of downtown. It began as a saloon at the turn of the 20th century, then became a popular gathering place for Ely’s Slovenian immigrants as the Jugoslav National Home, and in 1956 became a post for Ely’s veterans.
The Project
Today the ground floor is home to Northern Grounds coffee and wine bar, filling the building with the smell of freshly roasted coffee and local conversation again.
The Same Corner, Generations Apart
Tap either photo to see it larger.
Stars, Stripes and Tin
When we started, the ground floor was an old club room with red booths and a star-spangled drop ceiling. Above those tiles, the original pressed tin ceiling was still hiding. Tap any photo to see it larger.
The Hall Comes Back
The upstairs hall, with its small stage, tall windows and a piano left behind, had its own tin ceiling hidden under plywood. It is now a bright open room with maple floors.
Ely’s Living Room
Exposed brick, tin ceilings and big windows, filled with coffee, conversation and laptops by day and a busy bar by night.
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