Encyclopedia Dubuque
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KELLY'S BOOK STORE
KELLY'S BOOK STORE. Kelly's Book Store was torn down in 1924 to make room for the Woolworth building that would adjoin ROSHEK'S DEPARTMENT STORE. The book store had been started by James Kelly who once operated a news stand at the POST OFFICE when there were no letter carriers and everyone came to the post office for their mail.
When he opened his book store on Eighth and Main, Kelly added standard literature, school books and "Catholic goods." The morning and evening papers were delivered by private carriers, but the street and stand sales of newspaper continued to be important. The Chicago morning paper, for example, did not reach Dubuque until after supper. "It was after supper that the professional and commercial classes entered Kelly's to get the Chicago paper."
The 1904-1905 Dubuque City Directory located this business at 747 Main.
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Source:
"Kelly's Book Store Historic Dubuque Landmark Passes," Telegraph Herald, April 20, 1924, p. 1