May 23, 1976
"Tina" (no last name listed) serves up an ice cream cone at a Duluth-area Bridgeman’s. (News-Tribune photo)
Bridgeman’s has been a Duluth institution for years. According to the company Web site, Henry Bridgeman started selling fresh milk in Duluth in 1883; in 1936, his sons, Chester and Roy, opened the first Bridgeman’s Ice Cream Shoppe. At one time there were several Bridgeman’s Ice Cream Shoppes / Restaurants in Duluth, but now there is just one, near the Miller Hill Mall. The Lakeside location burned in May 1988; others were located near the Plaza Shopping Center, in West Duluth, in the West End and on Woodland Avenue.
The photo above has no caption information about which Bridgeman’s location it was taken at, but there are a few interesting details in the background. Apparently Bridgeman’s had a series of special flavors for the bicentennial; in that month, it was "Tory Toffeenut" – English Toffee-flavored ice cream with crunchy toffee candies and almond chunks. Also on the menu, a flavor called "Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride" – does anyone know what was in that ice cream?
Here are some more photos:
The new Bridgeman’s store at 2344 Central Entrance in Duluth Heights, Dec. 30, 1962. (Does anyone know what corner this store was located on?)
The interior of the new Bridgeman’s store on Central Entrance, Jan. 11, 1963.
Bridgeman’s milk for sale in Duluth, March 1, 1980.
There was also a Bridgeman’s in Proctor on Hwy 2, I believe the building is now The Railway cafe. I used to love their Strawberry Sodas with vanilla ice cream, whip cream and a cherry on top. mmmmmmmmm
I love Google Maps Street View! The Bridgeman’s building in Superior, Grand Ave and Belknap, is still there, next to the BP (formerly Standard) station. It looks like it’s a Payday / Auto Title loans store now – just down from Nummi’s Jewlers and People’s Drug Store.
There was also a Bridgeman’s in Superior in the 70′s, across from Cathedral Church on Belknap. The Lalapalooza – “Eat it all and win a medal”. When I moved to Madison, WI in 1979 there was one down here – on South Park Street – it’s a bank now. Loved the little girl on the ladder drinking milk. A friend in Troop 202 collected the little disks in the center of the caps on top – he made dolls, snakes, etc by stringing them together. Thanks for the memories!
We went to that Central Entrance Bridgeman’s all the time, on Central Entrance and Basswood Ave. It was right down the block from another great memory, the Highland Bakery. There was also a Bridgeman’s on the corner of E. 4th St. and N. 5th Ave. E, kitty-corner from St. Mary’s. I remember getting something called “The Sampler” there a few times which was a little divided tray sort of thing with a variety of different ice creams and other treats. I think that location turned into a Jim’s Hamburgers and is now a Quizno’s.
The Bridgeman’s on 14th Avenue East and Superior Street made a great burger!
Bridgeman’s – now that brings back memories. I live in Washington State now, but I was born in Duluth and live there until I turned 12. My mom used to take me and my sister to Bridgeman’s for ice cream. She always used to tell us “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach!”. She was right though…..we never could finish the dessert.
My mom used to take us to the Bridgeman’s on Superior Street on the last day of school each year. We always ordered a Lalapalooza, but never finished it.
I remember those milk bottles too. Thanks for the flashback.
There was also a Bridgeman’s in downtown Duluth in the 60′s, as my brother worked there. They made the BEST chilli!! And, remember the LaLa Paloosas? If you could actually “eat” one of them, you got a free one!!
My daughter ate one , and got a shirt for doing so. She was about 10.
I won a year’s worth of ice cream from a Bridgeman’s coloring contest when I was 11. It’s been pretty much down hill since then.
That Bridgeman’s store is now home to the Country Hearth bread outlet. Hasn’t changed much on the outside.r
I believe it’s Tina Lindval. I went to Woodland Jr High with her.
“Tina” can serve me ice cream anytime!
Does that mean that the laundromat would be across Basswood where Checker is now?
The Bridgeman’s on Central Entrance is where there is a bakery now. Can’t remember the name of it. Right across the street from Warehouse Liquors.