“Brett’s, a prominent dry good (department store) was in business for five generation until 1992.  Brett’s had a store in Mankato, Owatanna, Faribault, Hutchinson, Fairmount, and New Ulm.  George Brett opened his Empire Store in 1868 with $3,000 he borrowed from his Father-in-law, then the mayor of St. Paul.  His 22’ x 22’ store stood on Front Street between Jackson and Cherry Streets.  In 1910 the store relocated to Front and Jackson Streets.  From then on it was known as “Bretts”.