Team Electronics
3404 S. Duluth
Western Mall
Empire Mall
Western Mall
Empire Mall
Those who remember Team Electronics, may recall fond moments of looking at the retailer's vast selection of car and home audio components, marveling over the glowing, pulsing lights of a new Alpine deck, or a Sony receiver.
For years, Team Electronics was a staple in the Empire Mall. The store was there in 1985, when I moved to Sioux Falls from Yankton. I was already familiar with Team’s Yankton Mall location — it was the first place I ever saw an Apple Macintosh computer, which was fascinating. You could actually move a little pointer around on the screen with a thing they called a mouse. Before that, everything done on a computer was handled using the keyboard alone. Team was there to guide our way out of the dark ages.
Team Electronics began in 1946 as Electronics Associates, a Minneapolis-based group of wholesale electronics stores. The numbering of the stores reflected the order in which they were established. Sioux Falls’ first location was Electronics Associates No 11. The store’s owner was Richard Korstad, who came to town from Minneapolis in 1953 to hang out his shingle. He lived in an apartment at Kenwood Manor for a brief time before buying a house at 37th and Duluth, where his young family joined him. He ran Electronics Associates from his home for a number of years.
Team Electronics began in 1946 as Electronics Associates, a Minneapolis-based group of wholesale electronics stores. The numbering of the stores reflected the order in which they were established. Sioux Falls’ first location was Electronics Associates No 11. The store’s owner was Richard Korstad, who came to town from Minneapolis in 1953 to hang out his shingle. He lived in an apartment at Kenwood Manor for a brief time before buying a house at 37th and Duluth, where his young family joined him. He ran Electronics Associates from his home for a number of years.
Korstad made his money by servicing and selling radios, televisions, and any number of other electronic devices. Working out of his home was a practical way to get a foothold in the marketplace.
In 1957, Richard and his wife, Arlene, began building a storefront at the southeast corner of 41st and Duluth, about 2 blocks from their home. Business was good, and the customer base was growing. There were remodeling projects in 1963 and 1968. In 1967, Electronics Associates changed its name to Team Electronics, and the store numbering scheme was dropped.
In 1957, Richard and his wife, Arlene, began building a storefront at the southeast corner of 41st and Duluth, about 2 blocks from their home. Business was good, and the customer base was growing. There were remodeling projects in 1963 and 1968. In 1967, Electronics Associates changed its name to Team Electronics, and the store numbering scheme was dropped.
Team's first retail location at the southeast corner of 41st and Duluth. This picture shows Richard Korstad admiring the recent upgrades to his facade in 1968. Of course it's been turned into an ad mentioning all of the brands carried at Team.
In 1970, Team Electronics became a subsidiary of the Dayton-Hudson Corp., parent company of Target and Macy’s.
Team Electronics continued to grow its business both nationally and locally. The Western Mail, which was built in 1968, was successful enough that by 1972, an expansion was warranted. During the holiday season of that year, Team Electronics added a store in a prime location of the newly expanded southwest portion of the mall.
Team Electronics continued to grow its business both nationally and locally. The Western Mail, which was built in 1968, was successful enough that by 1972, an expansion was warranted. During the holiday season of that year, Team Electronics added a store in a prime location of the newly expanded southwest portion of the mall.
Team Electronics in the Western Mall, 1973, across the hall from the competition, Ja Mar Home Entertainment.
In September of 1975, a third Sioux Falls location was announced in the new Empire Mall near Younkers. This location was to occupy 2,600 square feet, enough room to include a closed-off area to demo and compare different audio components. Sales associates could switch between different components at the touch of a button.
By April of 1978, the three Team Electronics locations in Sioux Falls had been purchased by David and Joyce Buresh. At the time, the Western Mall was in a period of decline, due to the Empire Mall’s effect on the local retail scene. Team’s Western Mall location wouldn’t last the year. The other two locations carried on as usual.
In 1982, Dayton-Hudson sold off Team Electronics and other ventures that did not fit its refocused retail lines as seen in stores like Dayton’s and Target. By the beginning of the year, the 41st and Duluth Avenue location was closed, and Messenger Tire & Service Center moved in. The location in the Empire Mall was still performing well, and in 1983, was remodeled to reflect 1980s sensibilities. In 1984, Team Electronics was purchased by Elmer Karl, of Karl’s TV and Appliance. It stayed there until 1996, when its lease ran out.
Team Electronics was always an attractive stop for those looking for stereo equipment. I used to love fantasizing about all the car cassette and CD decks. Video games were the thing I was most interested in the early 1980s, and Team was there. These days, many of the items sold at Team are available via Amazon or larger department stores.
By April of 1978, the three Team Electronics locations in Sioux Falls had been purchased by David and Joyce Buresh. At the time, the Western Mall was in a period of decline, due to the Empire Mall’s effect on the local retail scene. Team’s Western Mall location wouldn’t last the year. The other two locations carried on as usual.
In 1982, Dayton-Hudson sold off Team Electronics and other ventures that did not fit its refocused retail lines as seen in stores like Dayton’s and Target. By the beginning of the year, the 41st and Duluth Avenue location was closed, and Messenger Tire & Service Center moved in. The location in the Empire Mall was still performing well, and in 1983, was remodeled to reflect 1980s sensibilities. In 1984, Team Electronics was purchased by Elmer Karl, of Karl’s TV and Appliance. It stayed there until 1996, when its lease ran out.
Team Electronics was always an attractive stop for those looking for stereo equipment. I used to love fantasizing about all the car cassette and CD decks. Video games were the thing I was most interested in the early 1980s, and Team was there. These days, many of the items sold at Team are available via Amazon or larger department stores.
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