Lima Handicraft Opens Kennedy Mall Storefront
The handmade clothing and blanket maker is taking a 1,500-square-foot space in Dubuque's Kennedy Mall for the holiday season.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Lima Handicraft, a maker of handmade clothing and blankets, is opening a storefront in Dubuque's Kennedy Mall during the first week of November. The 1,500-square-foot space sits next to American Eagle and is leased through the first week of January, with an option to extend.
Why it matters
The short-term holiday lease gives Dubuque shoppers another specialty retail option at Kennedy Mall during the busy season. It also reflects mall owner Cafaro Co.'s stated interest in adding businesses with something unique to offer.
The storefront occupies 1,500 square feet beside American Eagle in Kennedy Mall. The lease runs through the first week of January, and the owners hold an option to extend it, though no decision has been announced.
The players
Lima Handicraft
A handmade clothing and blanket maker opening a seasonal storefront in Kennedy Mall.
Cafaro Co.
The company that owns and manages Kennedy Mall and actively recruits businesses with unique offerings.
The details
Lima Handicraft will take over the 1,500-square-foot space next to American Eagle in Kennedy Mall for the holiday season. Cafaro Co., which owns and manages the mall, is seeking new businesses with distinctive offerings.
Timeline
First week of November 2026: Lima Handicraft opens its storefront in Kennedy Mall.
First week of January 2027: The initial lease expires unless the owners extend it.
Market Landscape
Seasonal leases of a few months are a common way regional malls fill vacant space during the holiday period. Specialty sellers like Lima Handicraft use these short terms to test a location before committing to a longer lease.
Dubuque shoppers gain a handmade clothing and blanket option at Kennedy Mall through the holiday season. Because the lease is short-term, the store's availability after early January is uncertain.
The takeaway
Short-term mall leases let specialty shops test a market during peak shopping months. Shoppers looking for unique holiday gifts can check local mall storefronts for seasonal offerings like handmade goods.
What happens next
The owners must decide before the first week of January 2027 whether to extend the Lima Handicraft lease beyond its initial term.
Further reading
For more local storefront news, browse Openings & Closings in Dubuque business coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TelegraphHerald.
