Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ROSHEK, Frank H.
ROSHEK, Frank H. (1869--Dubuque, IA, Feb. 3, 1953) Frank and his brother John J. ROSHEK came to Dubuque in 1884. In 1893 they partnered with A. E. Rubash to open Roshek, Rubash & Company, a small dry goods store on Main Street between 6th and 7th Streets. The company eventually became Roshek Brothers Dry Goods and later Roshek Brothers Company. Their company was a huge success building on the newly popular “bargain basement” model used in cities like Chicago and New York.
With the growth of business, the brothers bought the Rider-Wallis store on 7th and Locust Streets and began work on a new building across the street at 8th and Main Streets. The renovation of the 8th Street store was a million dollar investment. When renovations were complete, the 7th Street property was reverted back to the ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE and became the Nesler Center.
The success of the Roshek’s Department Store was so large that during the Christmas season special “Roshek Trains” brought shoppers from surrounding areas for shopping and to see the elegant department store display windows.
See: ROSHEK'S DEPARTMENT STORE
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Source:
"Frank H. Roshek." Linwood Legacies. Online: http://www.linwoodlegacies.org/the-roshek-brothers.html
