Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WALSH STORE
WALSH STORE. "Your Family Savings Center" at 13th and Central. In 1914, Joseph F. Walsh began the business in Tennyson, Wisconsin. His son, Clifford, and Clifford's wife, Isabelle, eventually took over the business as other family members opened more stories in Wisconsin. (1)
In July, 1957 the Tennyson store along with Clifford and Isabelle's home were destroyed by fire. The couple opened the Walsh Store to Dubuque the following November. The 1959 through 1993 Dubuque City Directory gave the address as 1301 Central. (2) The 38,000 square foot building had been constructed in 1870 and 1890. (3)
Ann Liddle, one of their children, credited her mother with being the person to place orders and taking care of the stock. Her father was responsible for the financial matters and public relations. The company began by offering basic needs and gradually branched into items requested by customers. The owners looked for manufacturers' closeouts and overruns which offered bargains which could be passed along to customers. (4)
Mark Walsh and his wife, Pam, with Ann Liddle and her husband, Jeff, bought the business from Clifford and Isabelle. The hardware store was sold and became a separate business. (5)
Competition from large chain stores and fewer overruns created pressure on the Walsh Stores. In 2000 the Walsh Stores closed at the end of December. (6) Hopes were that the company could lease back space for the retail store from the new owner. HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC., the parent company of DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY purchased the buildings and renovated them for its operations center.
In 2023 Horizon Development Group officials announced their plans to invest $7 million in the building to create a variety of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The construction was contingent upon the approval and state and federal historic tax credits and federal affordable housing tax which would cover 70% of the construction costs. (7)
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Source:
1. "175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 80
2. Ibid.
3. Berg, Renee," Walsh Stores to Close, Possibly Reopen," Telegraph Herald, December 2, 2000, p. 1
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Berg
7. Kruse, John, "30 New Apartments Slated Downtown," Telegraph Herald, April 13, 2023, p. 1A