Welcome to Mangelsen's
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Harold & Berenice Mangelsen, along with their sons, Bill, Tom, David and Harold Jr., founded beginnings of our company when they opened the doors at 3457 S. 84th Street in Omaha, Nebraska on May 4, 1961. Living in the back of the store for two years, they worked as a family producing a variety store housing 11,000 square feet.
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Along with housewares, pet supplies, fabrics, toys and ladies clothing, the store featured a 25 seat luncheonette and a new innovation- a self- service drive in window. Drivers used the window to purchase 15 cent hamburgers, 10 cent French fries, and 5 cent coffee.
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Harold was from the old school and believed success came from giving people what they wanted when they needed it. Harold would go to great extremes to satisfy the customer and he expected the same from all his help. He would spend $10 to get a 79 cent sale for a spool of thread. "Satisfy the customer," he said. He knew the best advertising ,"word of mouth," came from a satisfied customer.
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Harold's belief in the customer was so strong that he adopted the policy "If we don't have it, you don't need it. But if you need it, we'll get it!" Although our slogans have changed through the years, they have stemmed from his belief.
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In 1991, Mangelsen's in Westgate Plaza expanded to 37,000 square feet. The new store incorporated Housewares, Crafts, Fabrics, Framing, Floral, Art Supplies, Craft Classroom, Christmas Traditions, and the prop room- year round masquerade shop.
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In 1995, we introduced the Frequent Fun Savings Club. We track our customer's purchases and reward them with Fun Money. This club has been very successful and today we have over 50,000 members.
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In 1998, we added the FarmHouse Cafe, a full-service restaurant featuring a world-class bakery and deli. Customers shop while they wait for their table and carry a beeper to let them know their table is ready.
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At that same time, we created a new department called "Grandma's Pantry." The beautiful antique furniture in this department is stocked full of gourmet food, candy, and home decor that will take you back to Grandma's house.
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Today, David, along with his three children, Marla, David, & Matthew, are dedicated to keeping David M. Mangelsen's a thriving, family owned store. Currently, it is the largest independently owned store of it's kind in the Midwest. They are committed to continuing, and adding to, what Harold and Berenice saw in their dream in 1961.
Copyright © Mangelsen's 2005
