We’ve got some news on the future of Broadway Rental Equipment Company. Our rental company, which opened in the year 1956 in Minneapolis, has transitioned into new management. Broadway Rental will now be…A1 Rent It!
In addition, Broadway Party & Tent Rental has transitioned to Broadway Tent & Event. Both new stores operate out of the original Broadway locations, in addition to A1 Rent It’s Wayzata store. And our commitment to customer service and providing the best rental experience remains the same.
A Brief History of Broadway Rental
Broadway Rental Equipment Company was started in the year 1956 by Richard St. Martin (pictured right). The first location was in Minneapolis, eventually expanding to Brooklyn Park in 1971.
St. Martin started out renting out trucks with the intention to help those who were looking for reliable transportation do so at an affordable cost.
The first truck ever rented by Broadway was a 1970 International truck model 1200, a true staple in the company.
Tom and Guy, both sons of St. Martin, took over the company in 1976. Guy’s wife, Terry, came on board in 1980 to look over the front counter. As she gained knowledge of equipment rental, she had an idea to start another way to rent.
In 1981, Terry started Broadway Party and Tent Rental with the help of Tom and Guy, then moved the party rental business to a separate building.
Fast-forward: to 1986, they purchased Century Camera’s video department. This became Broadway Video, then was eventually absorbed into Broadway Party and Tent Rental.
In 2021, they sold the company to A1 Rent It, now operating fully out of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
A Brief History of A1 Rent-It
A1 Minnetonka Rental was started all the way back in 1963 by Frank Wagner. Wagner was a plant safety engineer for John Deere in Moline, Illinois. He decided to move forward, making the move to Minneapolis with his wife Marge.
Wagner befriended a few rental owners, who were founders of the American Rental Association, and was on his way to purchasing a new rental store in Minnesota.
The new business was set in Orono, Minnesota. Frank’s son Steve was his first employee, helping out however he could, whether it was with repairs or loading and unloading equipment.
Steve then went off to college at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and after graduation, he moved out of state.
In 1976, Steve took over the rental business as both Frank and Marge were entering retirement. Soon, Chad, Steve’s son came into the picture. Chad started working for A1 Minnetonka Rental during junior high and high school.
When Chad graduated, he pursued a career in education, getting his degree and teaching for 11 years. After his tenure as a teacher, Chad returned to working full-time at A1 in 2014.
With the goal of expanding the business, Chad and his wife Vanessa took over and purchased the business from Steve, and the company then A1 Rent It. Then, in June of 2021, Chad and Guy negotiated the terms to the acquisition of Broadway Rental and Broadway Party Rental.
Although the names are different, customers of Broadway Rental and Broadway Party & Tent Rental can expect the same level of service and quality when renting from A1 Rent It and Broadway Tent & Event. Now, with three rental locations, we’re better able to serve you! Check out our online rental catalog, and contact us with any questions.
