A handsome business building was erected on Bridge avenue in 1905 by Olaf Peterson, Louis and Henry Bock, and John L. Stein. The plans were drafted by Swan Erickson and called for a solid brick structure with a 100-foot front, 90 feet deep, full basement, plate front, two stories above ground, heating plant for the entire building and all modern conveniences. Mr. Peterson’s shoe store would occupy the east 25x90 end, John Stein’s business the west 25x90 end, and the center room, 50x90, would be rented for a department store.

Five brick masons and five tenders began laying the brick in June of 1905; the work went fast, finishing in eight months!

Ole Peterson occupied his section (the east end) of the new building beginning in September 1905. Mr. Peterson was a shoemaker. He was born in Sweden, where he learned his trade until 25 years of age. He emigrated to the United States and moved to Delano in December of 1869. Mr. Peterson was still listed as the owner of a retail shoe store in Delano on the 1910 census. It was said he carried one of the most extensive lines of boots and shoes found outside of the larger cities.

Peterson’s remaining stock was sold out in 1913; He died January 17, 1914. Berner Blomquist moved his furniture store into Ole’s Bockman’s building, which was Ole Peterson’s building after adding a balcony to accommodate part of his stock. (Ole Bockman was Ole Peterson’s son-in-law)

Heinen Hardware moved into this location in 1933 and remained there until it closed in 1991.

Kevin Lindquist then bought the building and opened a custom framing store. The building later was the home of Delano Floral and Gifts, followed by a school spirit wear business for Delano and surrounding districts. The Refoundry opened in the building in 2019.The building was sold in 2025, and currently is the home of The Vintage Storyteller.

The center section of the brick block belonged to the Bocks. Although the entire building was not completed, it was secured by the Dramatic Club for its grand production of “The Deserter” for the Fourth of July of 1905. A large stage was erected, and the site was wired for electric lights.

The space seems to have been used as an center for about the first year and a half. A grand ball was held in October of 1905, with the crowd enjoying the hard maple floor, large room and first-class accommodations.

A masquerade ball in Bock’s building on February 21, 1906, was described as one of the best Delano had ever seen… “the magnificent hall was brilliantly lighted and beautifully decorated, with gaily dressed masqueraders winding in and out through the giddy maze.”

Finally, Kelly & Murray, of Waverly, rented Bock’s store building in January of 1907. They opened their large general merchandise store in March. L.R. Kelly bought out Kelly & Murray in 1910, and then in 1913 closed the store and sold out all the remaining merchandise.

The Kelly & Murray Store, 1909

The second-floor space was used for offices and living quarters.

In 1917 the center of the brick block building housed the post office, with Henry J. Bock as the postmaster, and a restaurant, the Delano Café.

Wm. Picus bought the Bock building in 1921 in the section that had been the Delano Café and opened a department store. The American Legion located their club rooms above Picus’ store in 1928. Vennett Beauty Shop was located over the Picus store when the American Legion moved. Angie’s Beauty Shop was located on the street level from 1937-1943, succeeded by Mella-Dor Beauty Box., and Then Kitty’s Beauty Shop until 1948.

In 1957 Ed and Marge Andres and their children moved to Delano, and opened a Coast-to-Coast.

Store . Son Jerome, having completed four years in the U. S. Navy, entered the business with his parents in 1971. Jerome owned and expanded the store until 2005, when it was bought by Chris Johnson who moved the business out to Highway 12.

The Rainbow Inn was in the center of the brick block in 1946, next to Heinen Hardware. It was owned and operated by Robert Nicolai and Mr. and Mrs. Everett Zabel. Serving beer, soft drinks and refreshments, it was a popular spot for light lunches. The Rainbow was later operated by Bud and Colleen DeMaris. The Rainbow Inn section of the Brick Block was later part of the Coast to Coast store.

The fourth section (the west end) of the brick block was built by John L. Stein, who died in October of 1906, soon after the building was completed. His wife Josephine inherited the building, and the contents of a saloon. The Comet Theater, run by his son-in-law Ed Probst, was in that location for several years. The Boyce Funeral Home occupied the site just before Jack Schumacher bought the building from the Stein estate in 1941, remodeled the front and moved his Jack Sprat store there.

The Brick Block building 2019