Jean Schlegel / Times-Record
Investor Mark Richman, left, and contractors talk at the site of the former Tower View Cafe and Tower Fuel Stop on Wednesday as the buildings’ remains are seen in a mash of rubble in the background. Richman, the son of the original owners of the cafe and fuel stop, is the president of Tower Travel Center, which is building a new cafe and service station/convenience store at the site.

By Jean Schlegel 

TOWER CITY – The Tower City landmark that was so popular for nearly 50 years is now in rubble.
Passers-by on Interstate 94 may be shocked to see the state of the Tower View Cafe and Tower Fuel Stop. It was a well-known spot to eat and fill up gas tanks.
That’s the bad news. Now the good news.
A group of investors is building a new cafe and service station/convenience store on the same spot. The Tower Travel Center group is led by President Mark Richman of Fargo, and his brother, Vice President Tim Richman, a Tower City farmer. Mark said other investors were involved in the project but want to remain silent partners.
“It was successful for 50 years, but physically, it is worn out,” Mark said last week. “Some parts were worth saving, but economically it’s best to start over.”
The investors want to fill the needs the of area residents and people traveling on I-94. The Tower Travel Center will be just north of Exit 307.
“We’re real excited to have it re-opened, and it’s an area-wide project. There are lots of good people involved,” Mark said. “It’s good for the community,” he added.
He said the investors are excited to see what the venture can do for the next 50 years.
The old structures were torn down over Halloween weekend and contractors were on the job on Nov. 1.
“We want to get the exterior concrete done before the cold weather sets in and then work on the interior work over the winter,” Mark said. Construction should be done by March or April.
The steel-frame building will be 9,000 square feet and will house a 4,000-square-foot restaurant with seating for 100. Full meals will be served. There is also a modern, bigger convenience store planned, which will sell deli sandwiches and other snacks and beverages.

For full story, see the 11/16/2009 edition of the Valley City Times-Record.