When Fran Moran and Camille Como started working at the first Bridgeman's in Duluth 70 years ago, the ice cream parlor didn't serve other foods, accept credit cards or use an automatic dishwasher.
These days, it does all those things. But not so much has changed that Moran, 90, and Como, 88, couldn't get behind the counter Thursday and dish up their own cones of strawberry ice cream.
Moran and Como struck the pose to emulate a photo from the late 1930s that shows the women and co-worker Meg Moe standing behind the counter at the ice cream parlor that opened on 11th Avenue East and Superior Street in 1936.
Moran's son found the photo and brought it to Jay Broman, the current owner of Bridgeman's. Broman though it was a nice "then" photo and wanted a "now" picture to display with it.
Moran and Como were happy to oblige, as was Bob Minogue, who managed the Duluth Bridgeman's for 14 years before managing the Cloquet ice cream parlor for another 34.
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Como and Moran began donning their yellow, dress-like Bridgeman's uniforms and caps when they were both 17. They recall it as an enjoyable place to work.
"It was fun," Moran said. "All the kids after the ball games and everything would come in and the place would be loaded."
"I think we made a lot of malted milks and banana splits," she said.
Como recalled that the banana splits cost 12 cents, and to make them she had to learn to peel a banana without touching the fruit.
But she remembers most fondly a different ice cream creation.
"I can always remember this special maple-topped sundae," Como said. "It was so good and so popular."
Chester Bridgeman, a founder of the restaurant chain, hired Minogue away from his job as an usher at a theater by offering him $65 a month -- $5 more than what he had been making.
Minogue remembers Bridgeman's serving ice cream flavors such as French vanilla, bonbon and pistachio.
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"Most of them they still have," he said.
Minogue's three children also worked at Bridgeman's.
Moran and Como said they come regularly to Bridgeman's, now located in the Miller Hill Mall area.
"I come quite often, mostly after church on Sunday," Como said. "It's a nice, friendly place and you meet a lot of people here."
"And of course," she added "The ice cream is good."
