The NE neighborhood of Minneapolis has some of the most storied bars in the city. Through newspaper searches, we’re able to put together some of those stories. Here’s a look at some of the history of 2200 4th Street NE, Minneapolis.
From Gus’ to Grumpy’s
The oldest records of it being a bar show it as Gus Godlesky’s Bar (sometimes simply called Gus’ Bar), owned by Gust Godlesky. References to Gust owning it run from 1926 – 1930.
It was later owned by Konstanty Godlesky, with references to their ownership from 1935 – 1939. Konstanty died in 1957.
Rosemarie Godlesky (daughter of Gust) married George J. Blackey in 1959 and was listed as a licensee of George’s Bar in 1961, so it appears it may have changed names around that time. Her sister-in-law Dorthy Skowronski owned the Lowry Bar at 2501 NE Marshall St (the current site of Betty Danger’s).
Danny Kaedenn’s Bar, often called Danny’s N.E. Bar, appears in articles from 1964 – 1985.
Here are the news articles through the years. Click on any photo to view the entire newspaper page in full-size.
Star Tribune – Sunday, Aug 18, 1907
Rent 6 rooms, city water, sewer, closet for $15.00 a month.
The Minneapolis Star – Tuesday, November 16, 1926
From the Standing Committee on Health and Hospitals – Your committee respectfully report and recommend that the following licenses be granted in advance of the regular list, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Health, for the license year ending the first Monday in May, 1927:
Gust Godlesky, 2200 4th Street Northeast, grocery and soft drinks;
While this may have been the first time they applied for a license to sell out of the location, keep in mind that Prohibition ran from 1920 – 1933, so they wouldn’t have been able to apply for an alcohol license at this time.
The Minneapolis Star – Thursday, June 2, 1927
Sale of Cigarettes license issued to Gust Goldesky 2200 4th St Northeast.
The Minneapolis Star – Wednesday, June 13, 1928
Sale of Cigarettes license issued to Gust Goldesky 2200 4th St Northeast.
The Minneapolis Star – Tuesday, June 4, 1929
Confectionery, Soft Drinks and Cigarettes license for Gust Godlesky, 2200 4th Street Northeast.
The Minneapolis Star – Wednesday, June 18, 1930
Confectionery, Soft Drinks and Cigarettes license for Gust Godlesky, 2200 4th Street Northeast.
The Minneapolis Star – Monday, February 11, 1935
That the proper City Officers be authorized and directed to release to Konstanty Godlesky, 2200 4th Street NE, $1,000 Treasury Bond No. 12228J. due August 1, 1941, covering Off Sale liquor license, as the Off Sale liquor license will not be renewed;
They would have gotten their first alcohol license just a couple years before, when Prohibition ended in 1933.
The Minneapolis Star – Wednesday, October 30, 1935
Konstanty Godlestk, 2200 4th Street Northeast was granted a license for restaurant, soft drinks, and cigarettes.
The Minneapolis Star – Wednesday, April 15, 1936
Konstanty Godlesky, 2200 4th Street Northwest, On and Off Sale
The Minneapolis Star – Thursday, May 14, 1936
Restaurant, Soft Drinks, and Cigarettes license for Konstanty F Godlesty, 2200 4th Street Northeast.
Star Tribune – Wednesday, October 21, 1936
Mary Ann Wojciak Wed – Upon their return Mr. and Mrs. Kalina were entertained at a dinner given in their honor by Mr. and Mrs. Gust K. Godlesky at 2200 Fourth Street Northeast.
The Minneapolis Star – Tuesday, January 26, 1937
On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for Konstanty Godlesky, 2200 Fourth Street Northeast.
The Minneapolis Star – Tuesday, March 30, 1937
Non-intoxicating Malt Liquor license for Konstanty Godlesky, 2200 4th St Northeast, On and Off Sale.
The Minneapolis Star – Friday, October 1, 1937
Wrigley’s Gum Ad – Bottom of Second Column – Gus Godlesky’s Bar 2200 4th St NE
The Minneapolis Star – Thursday, March 17, 1938 – Front Page
Mahoney Charges – Slot Machines Wide Open – State Liquor Head Reveals 35 City Spots (Click the second clipping to read the entire article).
The Minneapolis Journal – Thursday, April 27, 1939
8 Proprietors of Taverns Fined – $15 each on charges of washing beer glasses in water ranging from 90 to 130 degrees, including Konstanty Godlesky, 2200 Fourth Street NE.
The Minneapolis Star – Thursday, January 25, 1940
Plans Ponchki – Sacred Heart Polish National Church and PNA Hall
Star Tribune – Friday, March 29, 1940
G&W Star Special Blended Whiskey is serve it at Gus Godleski’s Bar
Star Tribune – Thursday, February 3, 1944
War Saga Told by Young Hero – the lade in the middle is Rosemary Godlesky, who was listed as a licensee of the bar (George’s Bar) in 1961.
The Minneapolis Star – Friday, February 18, 1949
Blackey-Godlesky Vows Exchanged
Star Tribune – Sunday, January 30, 1949
Rosemarie Godlesky marriage announcement.
The Minneapolis Star – Thurday, October 4, 1951
George J. Blackey is born.
Star Tribune – Wednesday, Dec 7, 1955
George J. Blackey listed in the births again 3 years later, this time as a girl. Most likely an error.
The Minneapolis Star – Friday, July 5, 1957
Deaths – Konstanty Godlesky, 64, 2801 NE Cleveland
Star Tribune – Monday, May 8, 1961
Rosemarie Blackey is listed as the licensee of George’s bar, 2200 NE. 4th St. Her sister-in-law owned Lowry Bar at 2501 NE Marshall St.
The Minneapolis Star – Monday, December 25, 1961
Miss Linder Is Married to Mr. Handberg. The couple will live at 2200 NE 4th St, Minneapolis.
Star Tribune – Thursday, June 4, 1964
Danny’s NE Bar moved into second place in the Park Classic softball league.
Star Tribune – Monday, June 15, 1964
Danny’s N.E. Bar beats Spring Lake Park VFW 5-0 in the softball quarter-finals, then beats Halek’s 2-0 in the semi-finals, and defeats Bonnie’s Tap 2-0 in the championship.
Star Tribune – Tuesday, June 16, 1964
Danny’s N.E. Bar defeats Gluek’s 2-0 in the Park Classic.
Star Tribune – Tuesday, July 21, 1964
The question marks retained a one-game lead in the second half of the Classic season over Danny’s N.E. Bar with the win, as Danny’s trimmed Gluek’s King Of Clubs 6-1.
Star Tribune – Tuesday, January 25, 1972
Mr. Bill Rigney manager of the Minn. Twins will appear in person at Danny Kaedden’s Bar 2:30pm Tuesday, Jan 25th today. We’ll have a souvenir for you. Let’s talk baseball. Our location is 2200 NE 4th St., Mpls.
The Minneapolis Star – Friday, May 25, 1973
Danny Kaedden, a northeast bar owner who has bussed many thousands to the games, said that Billy Martin’s dismissal got many of his customers out of the habit of going. “I doubt if the feeling is still there, but apparently they have found something else to do.”
Star Tribune – Sunday, December 23, 1973
The largest contingent from the brash bunch is headquartered at Danny Kaeden’s bar at 2200 NE 4th St. Danny owns 370 season tickets, reputedly the largest single bloc in the entire National Football League, and he fills two buses every game. (He could fill five more but many of his ticket-holders start from nearby Aurthur’s Restaurant or Jax Cafe, or they get to the stadium in their own cars.)
The Minneapolis Star – Thursday, May 27, 1976
Marriage License Applications – Curtis J Kopperud, 38 2531 Owasso St, Shoreview, Wanda J. Dunham, 28, 2200 NE 4th St.
The Minneapolis Star – Friday, May 6, 1977
Who gave the flatwear to Len Bennek?
Star Tribune – Wednesday, September 19,1979
When Danny Kaedden Talks Numbers, The Vikings Listen
Star Tribune – Thursday, November 14, 1985
Northeast Residents Say Crime Is Low, Let Well Enough Alone
Star Tribune – Monday, Mar 25, 1991
Northeast Bars Reflect Neighborhoods In Change
Star Tribune – Thursday, February 19, 1998
New Kids On The Old Block
Star Tribune – Sunday, September 17, 2017
Andy Zurbey’s obituary.
Star Tribune – Friday, October 26, 2018
Out On A Limb, The Bad Man’s Back
