“During the first quarter of the 20^th century, the downtown face of Mankato was transformed due to the spread of electricity and the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine brought new business to Mankato and changed the way people shopped. An Empire departmental store [later known as] (Brett’s) was opened in 1868 between Jackson and Cherry Street. The store was an immediate success, which led other departmental chains to open in Mankato, such as Salet’s and JC Penny. Brett’s was later relocated to the northeast corner of Front and Jackson in 1910, because the business had out grown the building.”

Shuja Ahmed Fall 2000