Once a proud and mighty flagship department store that graced east State Street in Downtown Hammond, the Edward C. Minas Company is now only a shell of its former self. For many years the Downtown Hammond area was the shopping mecca of the Calumet Region until its decline during the later half of the 20th century. For over 94 years the Minas Company was a part of that era.

The downtown's precipitous decline in the retail trade was brought about mainly by the mass exodus of shoppers to the newer outlying suburban malls and the constant plague of never ending railroad congestion. It was a endless spiral leading to a domino effect, as one store after another closed up shop. Leaving the once congested streets nearly void of shoppers. A trend that has affected many urban downtown areas across the country.

A rebirth or resurrection of sort will soon take place when the site of the former storefront is cleared. With the demolition of the building now underway, the property upon which the former retail establishment once stood will be home to a new multi-million dollar auditorium. This new development will be built for the nearby First Baptist Church located just one block east.

What goes up must come down. Here's a look at the right on just how the walls went up. The Minas Company was founded in 1890 and quickly out grew its retail space. Edward C. Minas founder and owner of the establishment saw the need for a much larger shop for his expanding line of merchandise. After just a few years in business Mr. Minas moved his burgeoning store to the fast growing State Street business district, where it stayed until the Downtown store closed in 1984.

The store at 460 State Street was built in 1894 and expanded in 1904 and once again in 1913 when the current facade was installed on the front of the structure. The three store fronts were fused to look like one large building. One can see the evidence of this in the photos in the demolition below.

Preservationists can applaud because a part of the Minas store will rise upon the city skyline once again, hopefully in the near future. As the facade of the structure is being preserved by the city to one day grace the front of a new modern up to date building to be constructed in the downtown area.