Fantle's Department Store
117 S. Phillips
100 S. Main
Empire Mall
100 S. Main
Empire Mall
For eighty years, Fantle's was a trusted name in downtown retail. Just when they began to spread their wings into the mall space they closed down.
The darker, three-story building just left of center is the Fantle Brother's store in 1918.
Fantle’s Department Store, known locally as Fantle’s, had been a staple of Sioux Falls since 1896, but it had its origins in Michigan. Charles Fantle Sr. had operated a mercantile concern in Ann Arbor, MI, later opening locations in St. Paul, MN and Hudson, WI. He sent sons William and Moses Fantle west with a wagon full of goods to open a Fantle Brothers store in Yankton. The store, known as The Big Store opened there in 1893. Brother Charles Jr. was sent to Sioux Falls in the winter of 1895 to establish a presence here.
The store he opened on May 5, 1896 was called The Cash Dry Goods and Carpet Emporium. It was on Phillips Avenue between 9th and 10th on the west side of the street. Charles Fantle had a 22-foot wide storefront there which would increase in size as business boomed. In 1897, Fantle purchased the building to the North, and two years later the building to the south, making the storefront sixty-six feet in total.
In 1901, Charles’ brother Sam moved to Sioux Falls from Hudson, Wisconsin, where he ran his own Fantle store, to help with the growing concern here. The name of the store was changed to Fantle Bros. Department Store. By 1910 the brothers had expanded once more, purchasing an adjoining lot and remodeling the collection of buildings. A third floor was added and an elevator to reach it.
The Fantle brothers made every effort to appeal to their customers, offering restrooms, writing rooms and free telephones. All clerks were trained to be honest and forthright with their customers. They were not allowed to stretch the truth in order to make a sale and any advertisements were as truthful as they could make them. When a customer shopped at Fantle’s, they shopped with friends.
On December 12, 1916, Charles, Sam, and Burt Leigh Danforth, a seasoned merchant from Omaha entered into a partnership. The new organization was known as Fantle Bros. and Danforth Co. Danforth brought years of mercantile experience and some decent capital to add to the Fantles’.
The store he opened on May 5, 1896 was called The Cash Dry Goods and Carpet Emporium. It was on Phillips Avenue between 9th and 10th on the west side of the street. Charles Fantle had a 22-foot wide storefront there which would increase in size as business boomed. In 1897, Fantle purchased the building to the North, and two years later the building to the south, making the storefront sixty-six feet in total.
In 1901, Charles’ brother Sam moved to Sioux Falls from Hudson, Wisconsin, where he ran his own Fantle store, to help with the growing concern here. The name of the store was changed to Fantle Bros. Department Store. By 1910 the brothers had expanded once more, purchasing an adjoining lot and remodeling the collection of buildings. A third floor was added and an elevator to reach it.
The Fantle brothers made every effort to appeal to their customers, offering restrooms, writing rooms and free telephones. All clerks were trained to be honest and forthright with their customers. They were not allowed to stretch the truth in order to make a sale and any advertisements were as truthful as they could make them. When a customer shopped at Fantle’s, they shopped with friends.
On December 12, 1916, Charles, Sam, and Burt Leigh Danforth, a seasoned merchant from Omaha entered into a partnership. The new organization was known as Fantle Bros. and Danforth Co. Danforth brought years of mercantile experience and some decent capital to add to the Fantles’.
Firefighters work through the night to put out the blaze.
The frozen hulk of the building the morning after the fire.
On February 3, 1918, while the Fantle family enjoyed winter in warmer climes, the store caught fire and was destroyed. Fire fighters worked through the night but were not able to save the building. Losses were estimated at $400,000. Danforth, still in town, could not reach the brothers for two days. He began to plan on ways to move forward in other spaces. He promised that employees would not be forgotten in this trying time.
The Fantles and Danforth secured store space on the ground floor of the Bee Hive, just north of the destroyed store, and at the old Caldwell Music Co. Building at 123 South Main. Buyers were sent east immediately to secure new stock for the temporary spaces.
Meanwhile, it was determined that the most likely cause of the blaze was the habit of night watchman Knute Henseth to push sweepings down the elevator shaft. It was thought that perhaps a lit match or smoldering ash might have set the sometimes flammable sweepings ablaze. Henseth previously was employed by the fire department.
By July 1918, the original building owner Michael Gerin, had gotten construction on the new five story building done up to the fourth floor. The roof would be on in a short time and he anticipated a store opening by October. In reality, the work was able to be mostly done by December 9, 1918. Some of the finishing touches would have to wait, but the holiday season trade could not. Keep in mind that this happened while the United States was engaged in the First World War, and the Spanish Flu was sweeping the nation.
The Fantles and Danforth secured store space on the ground floor of the Bee Hive, just north of the destroyed store, and at the old Caldwell Music Co. Building at 123 South Main. Buyers were sent east immediately to secure new stock for the temporary spaces.
Meanwhile, it was determined that the most likely cause of the blaze was the habit of night watchman Knute Henseth to push sweepings down the elevator shaft. It was thought that perhaps a lit match or smoldering ash might have set the sometimes flammable sweepings ablaze. Henseth previously was employed by the fire department.
By July 1918, the original building owner Michael Gerin, had gotten construction on the new five story building done up to the fourth floor. The roof would be on in a short time and he anticipated a store opening by October. In reality, the work was able to be mostly done by December 9, 1918. Some of the finishing touches would have to wait, but the holiday season trade could not. Keep in mind that this happened while the United States was engaged in the First World War, and the Spanish Flu was sweeping the nation.
The Fantle's building as it looked in 1927. Look at all that display space, increased by the recessed doors.
Business carried on in the new space and the Fantle Bros. and Danforth company continued its excellent service for years to come. Charles Fantle died on June 26, 1925, leaving his son Benjamin president of the company. Burt Danforth sold his interest in the company to Sam and Benjamin in September, 1925, eventually moving east. Samuel died on August 18, 1935.
On December 1, 1937, tenants in the old YMCA building and the Richardson-Sherman Block on 9th and Main were told their leases would not be renewed the following year. The old buildings were torn down and construction began on a new Fantle Bros. Building.
On December 1, 1937, tenants in the old YMCA building and the Richardson-Sherman Block on 9th and Main were told their leases would not be renewed the following year. The old buildings were torn down and construction began on a new Fantle Bros. Building.
The old YMCA block at 9th and Main c. 1937
On Monday November 21, 1938, a new 46,200 square foot, two-story Fantle’s store opened at 9th and Main. All stock was moved from the old store between close of business Saturday and Monday. It was the first completely air-conditioned department store in the state. All of the air in the building was exchanged every ten minutes. It was humidified in the winter, de-humidified in the summer to ensure year-round comfort.
The window display opportunities increased significantly. There were eight display windows on Main Avenue, seven on the 9th street side, and a corner window behind which could be seen an island display, visible from both outside the store and within.
The new space had two elevators, one for customers, the other for freight. The elevator tower on the roof was adorned with the Fantle’s name in red neon on three sides. While there were no escalators, they could easily be installed if at a later point it became desirable. The new store used all of the latest innovations in lighting and retail display.
On November 12, 1954, the sale of Fantle’s to up and coming department store giant Dayton’s was announced to all employees. The store would retain the Fantle’s name, and the building would remain owned by Benjamin and Sally Fantle. They also teased the possibility of adding another floor to the building, which was planned for during the original construction. They never did.
On April 14, 1967, Dayton’s sold Fantle’s to David G. Cahill, the general manager of the store since 1962. Cahill’s wife and brother were also on as secretary treasurer and vice president at the time.
On March 29, 1975, Fantle’s announced the addition of a second store in the new Empire Plaza Mall. Fantle’s Esplanade, as they called it, occupied 10,000 square feet, Just off main entryway. By no means a major anchor, it was still a big store with a prominent location. The downtown location remained the prime location.
The new space had two elevators, one for customers, the other for freight. The elevator tower on the roof was adorned with the Fantle’s name in red neon on three sides. While there were no escalators, they could easily be installed if at a later point it became desirable. The new store used all of the latest innovations in lighting and retail display.
On November 12, 1954, the sale of Fantle’s to up and coming department store giant Dayton’s was announced to all employees. The store would retain the Fantle’s name, and the building would remain owned by Benjamin and Sally Fantle. They also teased the possibility of adding another floor to the building, which was planned for during the original construction. They never did.
On April 14, 1967, Dayton’s sold Fantle’s to David G. Cahill, the general manager of the store since 1962. Cahill’s wife and brother were also on as secretary treasurer and vice president at the time.
On March 29, 1975, Fantle’s announced the addition of a second store in the new Empire Plaza Mall. Fantle’s Esplanade, as they called it, occupied 10,000 square feet, Just off main entryway. By no means a major anchor, it was still a big store with a prominent location. The downtown location remained the prime location.
On Tuesday, November 2, 1976, just over a year after opening the Esplanade David Cahill announced the closing of both locations, citing health and personal issues. Fantle’s Esplanade did not open the previous day and all the stock was moved to the downtown store. Fantle’s closed out the year, sold all its stock and display pieces and locked the doors after more than 80 years.
In 1978, Benjamin Fantle died. A year later the lighted Fantle’s sign was removed from the top of the downtown building.
Fantle’s time in Sioux Falls left an indelible impression. For more than eighty years, it was a cornerstone of downtown life, known for its gleaming display windows, modern innovations, and the welcoming service set in place by its founders. Even today, many Sioux Falls residents fondly recall shopping at Fantle’s, a store that felt as much like a friend as a business.
In 1978, Benjamin Fantle died. A year later the lighted Fantle’s sign was removed from the top of the downtown building.
Fantle’s time in Sioux Falls left an indelible impression. For more than eighty years, it was a cornerstone of downtown life, known for its gleaming display windows, modern innovations, and the welcoming service set in place by its founders. Even today, many Sioux Falls residents fondly recall shopping at Fantle’s, a store that felt as much like a friend as a business.
© www.GreetingsFromSiouxFalls.com