History of the Club
The Breakfast Club of Minneapolis was founded in September 1939 by Asa Scott, a businessman who lived and worked in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Scott’s goal was to establish a national chain of clubs for men called the “National Business Leaders Association”. He started on a grand scale with clubs in fifteen cities that included Tampa, Chicago, St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Although no official breakfasts were held in the early 40’s, many meetings were held for the purpose of discussing and suggesting memberships from outstanding Minneapolis business leaders. A number of Minneapolis area businessmen declined invitation to join, stating “It won’t last six months!”
Early meetings were held at the old Nicollet Hotel. Neil Messick, Sr. and Morgan Nichols of the hotel had the honor of being selected by Mr. Scott as the first members in the club. The first roster for the club was published in July 1940 and included 61 member organizations. The first 28 members were considered charter members, and included:
- Nicollet Hotel
- Dr. Arthur Bratrud, Physician & Surgeon
- Northland Milk and Ice Cream Co.
- W.R. Stephens Co. (Buick Dealer)
- Northwestern National Life Insurance Co.
- Dr. Robert T. Thompson, Dentist
- Lonergan-Brackett & Freeman, Accountants
- Skellet Co.
- Beldcen Porter Co.
- George K. Belden Insurance
- Thos. P. Pease, Inc., Tailors
- Troy Launderers and Cleaners
- Thorpe Bros., Inc.
- The Colwell Press, Inc.
- Typewriter Clearing Assn.
- Burgess-Beckwith, Inc.
- Western Alloyed Steel Castings Co.
- Minneapolis Drive Yourself System
- The B.F. Nelson Mfg. Co.
- Dr. Sam Solhaug, Obstetrician
- Magney, Tusler & Setter, Architects
- General Outdoor Advertising Co. Inc.
- Gene Garrett Studios
- C.H. Malmstedt, Inc.
- Welander-Quist Co.
- The Kunz Oil Co.
- Reeves Coal & Dock Co.
- Glenwood Inglewood Co.
In 1942, Mr. Scott’s traveling to Minnesota was curbed by the war. On December 1, 1942, the group seceded from the National Business Leaders Association and formed a new organization under the name of “The Breakfast Club of Minneapolis”. A Club manager was hired, and the Club has withstood the test of time – now more than sixty five years! The original by-laws were written by club member Tom Vennum, a prominent local attorney.
In 1970, the increased membership in the Breakfast Club of Minneapolis, in combination with a lack of parking space at the Nicollet Hotel, necessitated a change in location to the Normandy Hotel on 8th Street South. Breakfast meetings were held weekly at the Normandy until December 1990, when it closed temporarily for remodeling. In early 1991, the club moved its meetings to the Minneapolis Athletic Club (MAC) until it was sold and converted to a hotel in 1998. The spouses of club members Ed Schlampp (Schlampp’s Furs) and Bill McReavy (Washburn McReavy Funeral Chapels) were instrumental in facilitating a move to the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis at 410 Oak Grove Street in June of 1998.
As a reflection of the changing times and prominent role women now play in the business world, women have been welcomed as active member representatives of the Breakfast Club since the early 1990’s.
