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.
BEN FRANKLIN CRAFTS
BEN FRANKLIN CRAFTS. This chain store business originated in Boston in 1877 as Butler Brothers, a mail-order wholesaler selling general and variety-store items. At the turn of the 20th century, Butler Brothers had over 100,000 customers in the United States. As variety stores began penetrating their market, the company established the Ben Franklin chain. At Ben Franklin's peak, the chain had 2,500 stores nationwide.
Ben Franklin stores were organized using a franchise system with individual stores owned by independent proprietors. It was perhaps the first retail franchise, starting in 1927. They are named after Benjamin Franklin, taking a cue in their merchandise offerings from Franklin's saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned." The chain, first sold in 1959, was owned in 2014 by Promotions Unlimited.
Walmart founder Sam Walton started in retailing operating a Ben Franklin store. In 1973, Michael J. Dupey converted a Ben Franklin store to start the Michaels chain in Texas. (1)
The 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 806 Wacker Dr.
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Source:
Ben Franklin. Wikipedia. Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Franklin_%28company%29