Two New Businesses Prepare to Open on Jefferson Street in Downtown Burlington

Home decor boutique and ice cream shop set to launch in May

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:01pm

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium home decor items and ice cream scoops arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing small business investment and community revitalization.The vibrant new additions of a home decor boutique and an ice cream shop on Jefferson Street aim to draw more visitors and energy to downtown Burlington.Burlington Today

Two new businesses, About the House Home Fashions & Other Cool Stuff and Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company, are preparing to open their doors in the 300 block of Jefferson Street in downtown Burlington, Iowa. The home decor boutique is targeting a May 9 grand opening, while the ice cream shop aims to launch on May 1, hiring around a dozen part-time employees.

Why it matters

The arrival of these two new businesses represents continued economic activity and investment in downtown Burlington, a key commercial district that has seen a mix of new openings and closures in recent years. The home goods and ice cream offerings are expected to draw more foot traffic and shopping interest to the area.

The details

About the House Home Fashions & Other Cool Stuff, opening at 312 Jefferson Street, will feature a curated selection of home decor, garden accessories, artwork, candles, kitchen items, and specialty foods. Owner Jerry Johnson says the store is a longtime dream and will eventually host events like decorating workshops and themed sales. Next door at 314 Jefferson Street, the Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company plans to offer over 20 flavors of soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, along with shakes, malts, sundaes, and floats. Owners Jason and Jaime Hutcheson aim to operate the shop daily from noon to 9 p.m., with additional menu items expected over time.

  • About the House Home Fashions & Other Cool Stuff is targeting a May 9 grand opening.
  • Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company is aiming for a May 1 launch.

The players

Jerry Johnson

The owner of About the House Home Fashions & Other Cool Stuff, a new home decor boutique opening on Jefferson Street.

Jason and Jaime Hutcheson

The owners of Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company, a new ice cream shop opening on Jefferson Street.

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What they’re saying

“The store is a longtime dream and will eventually host events like decorating workshops, demonstrations, and themed sales.”

— Jerry Johnson, Owner, About the House Home Fashions & Other Cool Stuff

“We plan to hire about a dozen part-time employees and operate daily from noon to 9 p.m., with additional menu items expected over time.”

— Jason and Jaime Hutcheson, Owners, Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company

The takeaway

The arrival of these two new businesses on Jefferson Street in downtown Burlington represents continued investment and economic activity in the city's key commercial district, which has seen a mix of openings and closures in recent years. The new home decor boutique and ice cream shop are expected to draw more foot traffic and shopping interest to the area.