Kresge's

The S. S. Kresge Co. opened its discount store in 1923 at 54-60 Broadway, in a location that was previously occupied by Madson Cafe and confectionary. Kresge’s was a chain of stores started by Sebastian Spering Kresge, and featured discount merchandise sold for $1 or less, a precursor to the current discount store.

The photograph of the interior of the Fargo Kresge store was taken on August 29, 1929. Various departments visible in the image are; men’s and boy’s furnishings, kitchenware, electrical supplies, radios, dry goods, millinery. Most of the prices in the photograph are difficult to distinguish but one can see voile curtains for $1, children's hats for $1, rayon panel curtains for $1, long sleeve washable shirts for $1 and pants for 50¢ to $1.

The S. S. Kresge Co. started the Kmart discount department stores in 1962, and opened eighteen stores that year, including one in Fargo. The first Kmart in Fargo was built at 2301 University Drive South and opened in the fall of 1962.

The Kresge store in downtown Fargo closed in about 1970.

Sources:
Fargo and Moorhead City Directory. Fargo, 1881-1927.
Polk’s Fargo and Moorhead City Directories. St. Paul, MN: R.L. Polk and Company
"Kresge discount store planned in new south side development" Fargo Forum and Daily Republican (29 Sept.1962)