Clarence Tompkins died in October 1941. With the start of World War II later that year, staff and food became increasingly difficult to obtain. Gene Revell worked long hours to make the Five Spot, Gene's Lounge, and Tompkins Cafe a success but it became too much. In 1947, the Five Spot and Gene's were sold to Harold D. Arnold of Fargo. Mr. Arnold had been working at the courthouse for 25 years and retired to enter the restaurant business. The Tompkins Cafe was sold to Mabel Bossert [the site is now a sign company].

Please continue here for more pictures of the Five Spot.

The picture below (taken on July 30, 1939) shows the Five Spot before Gene's Lounge was established. At the left end of the line is Gene Revell and at the tight end is Clarence Tompkins, who established the Five Spot. There are eight employees missing from this picture. All of the waitresses who are wearing black uniforms are staff of the Tompkins Cafe, which was across the street at 230 Broadway. The Tompkins Cafe was established after the original Five Spot.

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This photograph shows the interior of the "new" Five Spot after it moved from 205 Broadway to 202 Broadway in the late 1930's.

The man at the right end of the line of staff is Clarence Tompkins, the owner. At the far left is Gene Revell [Tompkins' son-in-law].

An opening was later cut in the middle of the wall in the back to allow access to Gene's Bar [named after Gene Revell] located around the corner at 521 Second Avenue North. The two establishments shared a kitchen and bar facilities. Gene's was the first place in Fargo to have live entertainment and was opened in 1939-1941.

Fargo, North Dakota

The Five Spot