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.
THEISEN'S HOME-FARM-AUTO
THEISEN'S HOME-FARM-AUTO. Three generation family business started in Dubuque. In 1927, Leo N. THEISEN and his wife, Kathryn, opened the first Theisen's store, Theisen Battery & Electric Company, on 8th Street in Dubuque. Beginning in 1948 and lasting four years, a partner joined the firm which was then operated as Theisen-O'Neill Tire Company. In 1952 the firm joined a national buying group, Mid-State Distributing, comprised of other independent retailers. Jim Theisen, president of the firm in 1996, joined the company in 1956. The following year, the store's first branch was opened in Maquoketa. Other branches were opened in Anamosa (1964), Dyersville (1967), Tipton (1968), DeWitt (1970), Monticello (1971), and Iowa Falls (1994).
Theisen Distributing, the corporate headquarters and distribution facility, was established in 1973 to service the retail outlets. The Dubuque store later relocated to 2900 Dodge. In 1987, the corporate headquarters and distribution facility in Dubuque were moved to a 50,000 square foot building in the industrial park west of the NORTHWEST ARTERIAL. This was operated as Theisen Supply. In 1996, the company had approximately 240 employees.