OUR STORY, OUR HISTORY: "To Know What a Company Is, You Indeed Need Know Where a Company Has Been."

 

1963 - Founder Richard Larson opens Northwest Fabrics in Eau Claire, WI. The Company expands to 35 stores. Northwest Fabrics then merges with Peavey Company of Minneapolis. While Richard is corporate vice-president of Peavey Co through 1978, Northwest Fabrics grows to a 120 store system

 

1975 - Larson Properties is formed

 

1978 - Eau Claire’s 900 acre Bullis Farm is purchased. Later, a partnership with Ayres Associates is formed to create Keystone Corporation, which continues today as the developer of the area that includes the Oakwood Mall and Oakwood Hills in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

 

1979 - R.D. Larson Companies is formed

 

1991 - Larson Management, Inc. is formed

 

1992 - Civic Center Inn is converted to Holiday Inn Convention Center & Ray Wachs Civic Center in Eau Claire, WI is purchased

 

1994 - Days Inn University South converts to Holiday Inn Campus Area

 

1991-1995 - Multiple hospitality properties are purchased out of foreclosure and auction which are renovated and repositioned

 

1996 - TallyHo Restaurant and Bar is converted to Colbys Grill and Holiday Inn Express in Onalaska, WI is opened

 

1997 - Wisconsin Bistros is formed & Larson Companies becomes the Charter Franchisee of The Microtel Brand, which open properties in Onalaska, WI and Rochester, MN

 

1998 - Holiday Inn Convention Center is converted to Ramada Inn Convention Center, Microtel Inns are opened in Eagan, MN and Bloomington, MN

 

1999 - Thomas Larson, President of Larson Investments, LLC, named Microtel Inn & Suites Franchisee of the Year (Larson earns the award again in 2002 along with Developer of the Year award)

 

2000 - Colby’s Grill is converted to Green Mill Restaurant and Bar

 

2002 - Holiday Inn Campus Area received the Six Continents Hotels 2002 Renovation Award for an outstanding renovation program

 

2004 - Microtel/Larson Companies receives J.D. Power recognition third year in a row for Microtel Inns and Suites; Holiday Inn Campus Area receives prestigious IHG Community Affairs Award

 

2007 - Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Chippewa Falls, WI is opened and TGI Friday's in Eau Claire, WI is acquired

 

2010 - Full Cheese Ahead is formed

 

2011 - Larson Companies opens first Chedd’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese

 

2013 - Newly constructed 130 room Holiday Inn Eau Claire South opens and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Eau Claire opens its doors; Holiday Inn Campus Area is converted to Clarion Hotel

 

2016 - Staybridge Suites opens in the River Prairie area of Altoona, WI; The Lakely Restaurant and The Oxbow Hotel open in Downtown Eau Claire, WI; TGI Friday's are Sold.

 

2017 - Cowboy Jack's in Altoona, WI opens its doors; Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Rice Lake, WI is opened

 

2018 -  Candlewood Suites in Eau Claire, WI to open its doors in October, 2018; Holiday Inn Express Eau Claire, Hallie and Rice Lake receive coveted Quality of Excellence Awards from IHG