Hickey Brothers Cigar Stores marks the 110th anniversary

ROCK ISLAND, IL (Quad-Cities Online) For over 50 years the signature color of green represented a Quad-Cities based business empire that stretched across America. No, it wasn't John Deere. It was Hickey Brothers Cigar Stores. April 13, 2011 will mark the 110th anniversary of the day in 1901 when 17 year-old Davenport native William Hickey, and his 12 year-old brother Dennis, used the $745 they had saved selling newspapers to open the very first Hickey Brothers Cigar Store at 123 E. 3rd St. in Davenport. From this small beginning the brothers branched out by acquiring and opening other stores and hotel cigar stands. At its peak, Hickey Brothers grew to over 150 stores that ringed the nation like a giant cigar band. Continued

Photo:City of Moline Illinois