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.
STAMPFER'S DEPARTMENT STORE: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
[[Image:imp462.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Birthday greeting letter to an employee. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]] | [[Image:imp462.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Birthday greeting letter to an employee. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]] | ||
In its brightest years, Stampfer's operated with little concern for competition. A brisk business was carried on in clothing despite its being priced several times higher than in other stores. Customers bought Stampfer's merchandise rather than travel to high-priced stores in Chicago. Furs were sold in a department called the French Room. | In its brightest years, Stampfer's operated with little concern for competition. A brisk business was carried on in clothing despite its being priced several times higher than in other stores. Customers bought Stampfer's merchandise rather than travel to high-priced stores in Chicago. Furs were sold in a department called the French Room. | ||
[[Image:imp792.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Paper bag indicating the purchase of the department store. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]] | [[Image:imp792.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Paper bag indicating the purchase of the department store. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]] | ||
Dubuque's oldest department store was sold in 1962 to the Johnson Hill chain from Wisconsin. For a time, the once top-of-the-line store operated as a discount operation giving out green stamps. In 1979 the building was sold to Tom and Mary Graham who announced their intention to rebuild the store's past greatness. In August 1981, citing a delay of Highway 561 and high interest rates, the Grahams declared the business would not reopen. In 1991 the Stampfer building was renovated into office space. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com) | Dubuque's oldest department store was sold in 1962 to the Johnson Hill chain from Wisconsin. For a time, the once top-of-the-line store operated as a discount operation giving out green stamps. In 1979 the building was sold to Tom and Mary Graham who announced their intention to rebuild the store's past greatness. In August 1981, citing a delay of Highway 561 and high interest rates, the Grahams declared the business would not reopen. In 1991 the Stampfer building was renovated into office space. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com) | ||
Revision as of 17:57, 22 July 2009
STAMPFER'S DEPARTMENT STORE. Once one of Dubuque's highest-class stores. Founded by Joseph Frederick STAMPFER, the department store was the successor of a dry goods store known as Kees and Sullivan into which Stampfer bought an interest. The firm of Sullivan and Stampfer continued in operation until 1901 when Stampfer bought his partner's share. In 1908 the firm was incorporated as the J. F. Stampfer Company.
In its brightest years, Stampfer's operated with little concern for competition. A brisk business was carried on in clothing despite its being priced several times higher than in other stores. Customers bought Stampfer's merchandise rather than travel to high-priced stores in Chicago. Furs were sold in a department called the French Room.
Dubuque's oldest department store was sold in 1962 to the Johnson Hill chain from Wisconsin. For a time, the once top-of-the-line store operated as a discount operation giving out green stamps. In 1979 the building was sold to Tom and Mary Graham who announced their intention to rebuild the store's past greatness. In August 1981, citing a delay of Highway 561 and high interest rates, the Grahams declared the business would not reopen. In 1991 the Stampfer building was renovated into office space. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)