The McGovern’s Garage building, 124 Sommerville Street South, was built in 1895 as a livery.
Over the years, it served many different businesses. In 1958, it was purchased by Pat McGovern, who started McGovern’s Garage, which was eventually run by son, Jack, until 2017. Small Engine Service and Supply then took over the building.
November 7, 2025, the Shakopee Economic Development Authority purchased the building, intending to demolish the building and redevelop the property.
December 16, 2025, the building was demolished.
On September 12, 2017, Jack allowed us to photo document the building. Those photos are in the album below.
Recently, I saw a ghost in Downtown Shakopee. No, we’re not talking some character out of Scooby Doo, but a ghost sign.
Perhaps I’ve spent too much time on Reddit lately, or perhaps I’ve been fascinated by my work’s Fargo and St. Paul offices so much (former tractor factories), but ghost signs have fascinated me.
The other night, I noticed a ghost sign I had never seen before. It was painted on the side of what used to be the Shakopee Theatre (now Pearson Florist). I couldn’t believe I had missed it for 39-1/2 years.
Today, I went back to photograph the sign to see if I could identify it. I first thought it was some sort of refreshment sign. Looking closer, it appears to be an advertisement for Ferdman’s Bargain Store, which pre-dated the Shakopee Theatre at that location.
According to David R. Schleper of the Shakopee Heritage Society, Samuel Ferdman moved to Shakopee at some point after June 9, 1927, following the birth of daughter, Lucille. Schleper also mentions that the Shakopee Argus-Tribune reported a fire at Ferdman’s Bargain Store in September 1934, burning out the store, and damaging R.C. Kline’s adjacent store. Ferdman was later seen living in Chicago in the 1940 Census1.
All I can make out from the sign is “Ferdman Bargain” and potentially “Overall” or “Overalls.” Given the time frame of the store, this sign had to be painted somewhere between 1927 and 1934.
Can anybody identify any other words in the advertisement?
