Digital Division
306 Division St
Marshall Building
est. 1933
306 Division Street is a lasting relic of a quintessential store that defined the business landscape of Northfield in its time: the Alex Marshall Company. The Marshall Building was built in 1933 for the express purpose of housing Alex Marshall & Co. Department Store. The business—at the time called Mackay & Co.—was initially established in 1889 and was in the First National Bank Building, across the street. In 1900, it moved into the Nutting Mall.
306 Division Street is a lasting relic of a quintessential store that defined the business landscape of Northfield in its time.
The wooden structure here in 1910, before the Marshall Building. The YMCA Building is visible at right.
When Alex Marshall died in 1907, the business went to the original namesake, Marshall's son in law, Alex MacKay. The Marshall building was constructed in 1933, with two large arched windows at street level, ideal for displaying retail. As time continued on, the Marshall department store continued to serve Northfielders. While the business remained a consistent landmark of downtown, the management of the business passed through the hands of many family members of the founder. At one point or another, it was operated by MacKay’s son; his daughter, Jessie MacKay; her nephew, Allan MacKay and his wife, Lois; Allan’s father; and later his brother.
“It [Marshall’s Department Store] was for many years one of the most important business-places in our city”
When Allan and Lois retired in 1973, they finally sold the building after 40 years of business there, and the Marshall family business was no longer. The building became Dahl House, a women's clothing store owned by Jeff and Ruth Dahl. Then, a bagel shop, bookstore, and tattoo parlor. The building also housed Games ‘N Geek before it moved down the street, and now, it is home to Coco’s Place, the second Mexican restaurant in the space.
