Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
JEWEL TEA COMPANY
JEWEL TEA COMPANY. Frank V. Skiff, the son of a Newton, Iowa grocer, began Jewel Tea Company in Chicago in 1889. Skiff went down-to-door selling tea and giving his customers coupons which could be used to obtain "jewel" quality gifts. By 1917 the company had sales reaching $15 million with 1,700 routes nationwide.
Jewel Tea came to Dubuque in 1906. The company located at 236 13th Street was managed by Fred C. Whitehouse. The business relocated in 1916 to 1447 Clay (Central), and W. C. Kolb became the manager. The company closed locally in 1918 when Edward McHenry, its manager, left town. Although it never reopened, salesmen continued going door-to-door selling a multitude of products for many years.
The location of the Jewel Tea Company and ANTHONY AUTO SALES INC. in the 1400 block of Central underwent a great deal of renovation over the years. During urban renewal in the 1960s, the buildings were gutted and an art deco facade was placed on the front. This location, renamed the CONLON BUILDING, housed the Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA) and later the Community Support Program, Operation New View, and even a church.
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Source:
Gibson, Mike. "Yesterday and Today," The Golden View