Fankhanel's Variety Store Records

Collection — Box: TaxLedger

Identifier: OGLMC-1435

Scope and Contents

The Fankhanel's Variety Store Records consist of materials related to the history of Fankhanel's Variety Store in Hillsboro, North Dakota. Series I: Personal - contains personal scrapbooks pertaining to the store's anniversaries, 1979 to 1994. To better preserve contents of the scrapbooks, materials from the books were removed from their original three-ring binders, while maintaining original order. Series II: Inventory - consists of the store's annual inventory, 1940-1995. Series III: Financial Records - financial information including taxes, check stubs, and expenses, 1930-1995.

Dates

created: 1930-2001
Other: Date acquired: 11/14/2001

Creator

Fankhanel's Variety Store (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

Fankhanel's Variety Store in Hillsboro, North Dakota, was a family operated business for 66 years. Paul Fankhanel and his wife, Julia, opened the store in September 1929. They ran the store until 1949, at which time Paul contracted tuberculosis. Paul died in 1964 followed by Julia in 1976. Paul and Julia had five children: Dolores, Earl, Lois, Julian, and James. Earl Fankhanel returned to Hillsboro in 1949 after serving in the Navy Air Force. Earl and his mother operated the store together from 1949 until 1964, at which time Earl and his wife, Joyce, purchased the store. The store sold a variety of merchandise including crystal ware, kitchen items, crafts, and clothing. There was also a candy counter which was well-known for selling penny and bulk candy. Fankhanel's candy counter was the only one in the state which sold Brach candy in bulk. Fankhanel's Variety Store closed in 1995 upon the retirement of Earl and Joyce Fankhanel.

Note written by

Full Extent

7.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Family owned business in Hillsboro, North Dakota, 1929-1995

Source of Acquisition

Earl Fankhanel, Hillsboro, North Dakota

Method of Acquisition

Donation; 2001-2539

Separated Materials

One income tax record book, 1964-1995, was placed on the shelf adjacent to the collection. One audio tape was separated and placed in the audio tape collection Audio Tape #2044: Interview with Earl Fankhanel on Fankhanel's Variety Store's 65th Anniversary, August 13, 1995