Then and now: Nel’s endures moves around town

Nel’s, circa 1964

Nel’s has been around for decades, just not where it is today.

“Nels” Nelson relocated his hardware, appliance and supply store a couple of times, including occupying what had been the dining room in Connolly’s two-story beachfront lodge across Highway 50. (It was replaced by Timbercove Lodge in 1973.)

I believe Nel’s moved into what is now the Fremont Mall (where Freshies is) after Safeway vacated. (Safeway’s present building is the third time Safeway has built a new store here.)

Finally, Nel’s settled at its current Fremont Avenue address near Tahoe Bowl after the South Lake Tahoe Police Department moved over to its present Johnson Boulevard facilities.

Meanwhile, the original outline of this historic building with its partial sloping roof is still evident in this recent Google aerial photo.

— Bill Kingman