The Model Clothing and Shoe House was founded by N.E. Pehrson at 119 Third Street in Tracy in 1898. The store building was erected in 1903 and underwent a full remodeling job in 1955 with a new front and interior. New lights were added in 1961. The store provided boys and men’s clothing and furnishings for people of the Tracy area for many years. John Vahle, Sr. acquired the business in 1913. The sons of Vahle, John and Charles “Chuck,” inherited the business from their father in 1957. John Jr. sold his partnership to his brother in 1964 and became the Tracy Postmaster, which he held until he retired in 1987.

The business placed a classified in the Feb. 26, 1907 edition of The Minneapolis Tribune looking for an employee: WANTED — Permanent position for good clothing and shoe salesman with experience in country town, age about 25, wages $60. The Model, Tracy, Minn.

The Tracy Headlight-Herald published a special progress edition on Aug. 31, 1961. The edition featured information, statistics, and photographs on many of the Tracy businesses. There is a section on the Model Clothing store, in which, the Vahle brothers described their business and selection of boys and men’s clothing brand and furnishings. Name brands the store carried in 1961 include: Red Wing, Grace Walker, Style Mart, Red Goose, Curlee suits, Chippewa sportswear, and Munsingswear sportswear. The Vahles’ slogan was “We guarantee fit and wear, and if they don’t make good, we will.” The article also mentions that their pledge is they plan to continue with good fair-priced merchandise and give the best of service to their customers.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is a real photo postcard of 3rd Street in Tracy, circa 1930s. A sign for The Model Clothing and Shoe House can be seen on the left side of the photograph.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.