Another Beginning

The old girl at 206 W Lake Street is ready to start a new life! The building, I mean (although the old girl holding the keys is ready to start something new, too!) My hands were shaking when I wrote the check to purchase the former Koscak’s Bar in Chisholm, MN in August 2025, but as nervous as I was buying a distressed property, it’s not the first time I’ve done this. I know that what looks like a derelict property to most people can be hiding opportunity for anyone willing to roll up their sleeves. (Ask me sometime about my 10 years as the owner of Miller Speedway, an abandoned racetrack we revived in South Dakota.)

Koscak’s Bar had several different owners, and after 100 years or so of slinging drinks, the doors closed for good about 2015. When the opportunity to buy the building came up, I was cautious but excited. After wandering through it, I saw its potential: original pressed tin ceilings, the original bar itself, the dark woodwork, the stained glass panels… All of it just crying out for new life as a bookstore. It felt right.

But the scary thing about buying an old property like this is the history that comes with it and the feelings local people have about it. Would people be happy with books instead of booze? Would anyone be upset if I removed all the taxidermy birds and animals? Will people accept me as a non-Iron-Ranger? How can I honor the history of the building and yet turn it into something new?

It’s been a few months now, and in the process of hauling loads and loads and loads of detritus out, we have met many locals–some who have historical ties to this building, some who are simply curious, and some who arrived in Chisholm after the bar was closed. All of them have been supportive, and my hands are less shaky now. Instead of bottles, boxes of books are stacked on the bar. Instead of barstools, bookshelves stand ready to be filled. Instead of taxidermy, pictures of Minnesota authors will look upon book lovers…and upon me, sleeves rolled up and ready to do business.