The Globe Building

The Globe's clothing dates back to 1881, when the business was founded by Tom Watson and John Krause as an exclusive gentlemen's clothing establishment. Later President Charlie Jones incorporated in 1893 with the slogan “ Jones, he pays the freight ” meaning that the cost of freight was not added onto the price of goods. Patrons didn't need to go out of town for better prices.

The first location of the Globe Clothing business was in the first floor of the Krause building at 217 North Broadway which is currently the south portion of Fay's Furniture Store.  In 1894, the Globe moved to its present location, but was a one-story building at the time. It was quickly decided that they needed double the space so they temporarily vacated to allow for the building of the new globe under the local contractor P. A. Van Dorn.

The old buildings were moved away to build the current building that stands today. Built by contractor P. A. Van Dorn, the building was dedicated in 1901. The foundation is made of native rock from Cedar County farmers purchased at a price of one dollar per wagon load. In some cases they traded goods for rock. The building gave a citified appearance because the three-story brick building had steel in its superstructure in place of stone and masonry around the doors and windows . This allowed for large windows and a giant skylight that afforded precious light to the third floor which was rented as office space.

During these golden years of retail, gentlemen and boys would go to the globe for all their suit, hat, and boot and accessory needs. They catered to all the residents of the area. Jack Konz took over in 1953 with his slogan: “Big enough to serve, small enough to care.” His wife Gert opened the mezzanine for the ladies and they catered to both the men and women. Jack and Gert were assisted in the store by their son Dave. Dave carried on the tradition of retail until 1916 when he sold the store to Ben and Erin Schroeder.

Ben and Erin Schroeder remodeled the building creating a contemporary living space upstairs and a main level store and event center space on the main level. It was sold to become the Globe Chophouse restaurant while maintaining this structure. In 2023 the Globe took on new ownership and is now ready to serve as an event center.

The Globe block included 3 lots: Lots 19, 20 and 21 that extended the length of the block. The buildings were often partitioned out and shared as businesses often sharing a hallway or stairway. 

Initially, the upper level of the Globe was leased as offices to doctors and dentists. The basement was used by Mr. Reed, a tailor, a fine tailor with imported goods. The rest of the basement was used for a barber shop and a public bath house. Later on, the basement included beauty shops. John Eskins had a radio and gun repair shop here. After and during the second World War and the Korean War, part of the basement was used as a draft office while the third floor was converted to apartments.

In 1965, the Globe purchased the "Nu-Tyme Shop,” a ladies ready to wear store operated by Tina Perk. Perk moved into the newly remodeled balcony mezzanine of the store. 

The Globe owned the lot north of their building. This was once a cafe in the early years.before the building was torn down. It was once the hope of the Globe owners to build and annex a restaurant to the north end of the building. The hope was to create an all-inclusive shopping experience for its patrons like in the large cities.

Hartington History Book Committee. Hartington 140 Year History Book. Hartington, Nebraska. Cedar County News, 2023.