Harold J. Slawik, a lifetime resident of St. Paul, was born February 16th, 1901. He launched an ambitious business career at an early age. During his high school years at Mechanic Arts, Harold operated a bicycle sales and repair shop. As early as 1922, Harold purchased property at the corner of Marshall and Cleveland in St. Paul. This building was both commercial and residential. Four apartments were on the upper level(Harold resided in one unit). From the bicycle sales and repair business, Harold quickly moved his focus to the automotive business while maintaining his real estate interest in St. Paul - much of which was focused in the Midway area.

In 1938, Harold married Marie O'Brien, also a lifetime resident of St. Paul. She was employed at an oil company as a bookkeeper/accountant. Marie quickly put her experience to work with Harold at his automobile businesses, ie Slawik Motors, Desoto, Plymouth and finally, Midway Ford at Fairview and University Avenues in St. Paul. She also provided help in all real estate matters.

Harold and Marie maintained a home at 1405 Summit Avenue with thier 3 children, Jerry, Mary and Harold Jr.(Skipper). Tragically, in 1958 the youngest of their children, Skipper, died in a boating accident on the St. Croix River near the family's summer home. A scholarship fund was created shortly after his death and today the Skipper Slawik Foundation awards nearly 150 tuiton grants per year to private and/or parochial high schools in Ramsey County. Additionally, grants were made in Skipper's name to the St. Paul Police Department in the form of cars from the Midway Ford Dealership to assist the police department with the School Safety Patrol Program.

Continuing on into the late '50's and '60's, Harold and Marie enjoyed considerable success at their Midway Ford Dealership, as well as other various business holdings in St. Paul. Their focus once again centered on real estate, this time in the community of Roseville. It was Harold's dream to build an enclosed shopping center similar to one he'd seen in Florida in the '50's. With that thought in mind, Harold and Marie began to acquire 50 acres of land near the intersection of County Road B and Snelling Avenue. The dream became a reality in 1961 when construction got under way. Unfortunately, on July 7th, 1962, Harold suffered a fatal heart attack at his summer home just after ground breaking commenced earlier that summer. Nearly a year later, in August of 1963, Har-Mar opened. The name comes from the first three letters of Harold and Marie. Marie Slawik together with her son, Jerry, carried forward with the businesses intact. In addition to the initial success of Har-Mar Mall, Midway Ford Company made advances as one of the most successful car dealerships in the Midwest. Carrying forward to the future, additional land was purchased in Roseville partly on speculation but mostly at the request of Ford Motor Company to move the dealership to Roseville, which took place in 1977.

Edward J Tichenor began working at Midway Ford in 1964 while still a teacher and graduate student. Edward (Ed) completed his master’s degree in 1966 and purchased an interest in Midway Ford in the late 1960’s. Ed and his brother-in-law Jerry (Marie & Harold Slawik’s son) both worked at and managed Midway Ford Company. Ed balanced his responsibilities working at and managing Midway Ford while raising five children with his wife Mary Tichenor (nee Slawik). During that time Ed was also a professional quarter horse trainer, horseshoer (blacksmith/farrier) and judo instructor.

In the mid-1970’s, Jerry decided to focus all his attention on the family real estate and leasing business and sold his shares of stock in Midway Ford Company to Edward. When Ford Motor Company determined that it was in the mutual best interest of Ford Motor Company and Midway Ford to move from the “Midway Area” of St Paul to Roseville, MN Edward worked with the architects and contractors to develop the plans and construct the new dealership. The “new” Midway Ford opened in Roseville, MN. October 11, 1977. In the spring of 1989 Edward purchased the balance of the stock and the company from Marie O’Brien Slawik and has been the Dealer ever since. John E. Tichenor assumed the duties of co-General Manager with Edward in 2000 and John is in charge of day to day operations of the business while continuing to be the controller and company accountant.

Ed and his sons, John and David, continue to work at and manage the dealership. This means that you’ll find a Tichenor family member working at Midway Ford every business day. Daughter Jennifer, like brothers John and David has worked at Midway Ford since she was about 11 years old. Jennifer will soon begin graduate studies but will continue to work part-time at the dealership. John’s son Spencer also works at the Midway Ford as he pursues a degree in business at the University of Saint Thomas. About 16 years ago, Ed expanded his outside interests to scuba diving and has achieved the rank of SSI and PADI Master Scuba Diver Instructor. He has taken clients on dive trips around the world and has trained and certified hundreds of students. Ed is also a First Responder Instructor and continues to teach scuba divers and others requesting or requiring this type of training.

 

Midway Ford is proud to be a dealership that can claim more than 53 years a family owned and operated business. Midway Ford earned its 50th Year Ford Dealer Plaque from Ford Motor Company in June of 2004. This is a rare achievement and Spencer’s involvement in the business now makes Midway Ford Company a fourth generation family-owned business.

Sadly, on December 27th, 1989, Marie O'Brien passed away after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Marie was deeply loved by her family and greatly admired by her professional ascociates.

At present, Edward Tichenor continues to operate Midway Ford Company with his son's John and David. Other employees include his youngest daughter, Jennifer Tichenor, and his oldest grandson, Spencer Tichenor.

(thanks to my cousin Brien Slawik for his help in compiling this brief history of Midway Ford and the family.)

At the suggestion of our customers, Midway Ford Company has been advertised as Roseville Midway Ford for the past 13 years. This change was made for the purpose of eliminating confusion about the physical location of the dealership. Our customers told us that many people thought we were still located at our original address (1850 University Avenue—St Paul, MN) and that we needed to better identify where we are located. The area where Midway Ford was originally founded is an historic area and is called the Midway Area or Midway District. Now people trying to locate the dealership know that it is located in Roseville, Minnesota.

-John Tichenor