Small Business

A counter side view of the interior of Gnoll's Loot Table, a new independent bookstore in Riverside specializing in sci-fi and fantasy titles. CREDIT GNOLL'S LOOT TABLE

New independent sci-fi bookstore opens in Riverside

A new independent bookstore specializing in sci-fi and fantasy opened Aug. 30 in Riverside. Gnoll’s Loot Table, located at 51 E. First St., offers new and used genre sci-fi and fantasy book titles in the town of Riverside, known as…

Raygun breakdancing at Olympics brings windfall for Iowa’s Raygun

A viral breakdancing performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris has proven to be…

Raygun Mike Draper

Iowa’s youth labor law leaves small businesses and teen workers in hot water

An Iowa bill meant to expand employment opportunities has backfired on the businesses it aimed…

Savannah Dixon, 17, reaches for some fried chicken with a pair of tongs. Ms. Dixon has worked at Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry for two years. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

LocoCR set to provide locally-based food delivery option

Steve Shriver admits the idea for LocoCR, a new local food delivery service set to…

Steve Shriver stands outside of Brewhemia, located at 1202 Third St. in southeast Cedar Rapids. LocoCR

Coffee Emporium sold to North Liberty couple, rebranding and expansion ahead

A popular Johnson County coffee chain has switched hands. Coffee Emporium, which has locations in…

Coffee Emporium, located at 925 E. 2nd Ave. in Coralville, has recently changed hands.

Durham talks triumph, challenges of downtown revitalization

Size doesn’t matter – at least to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The way…

Debi Durham, director of the IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority, speaks at the Paramount Theater Aug. 6 for the IEDA 2024 Iowa Downtown Conference.

Five small businesses receive Main Street Iowa Open 4 Business grants

Five small businesses from Main Street Iowa districts received $50,000 in state grants after successfully…

John and Taylor Lillibridge owners of Goldfinch Tap + Eatery in Marion. CREDIT MAIN STREET IOWA

Iowa City businesses get a boost with CoSign+ program

Iowa City has been recognized as one of the top 50 best places for families…

Signs for Scout's Honor and Camp are prominently displayed on Iowa Avenue. Both eateries were recipients of CoSign.

Hibu enhances Google Business Profile optimization

Hibu Inc. has announced updates to its digital marketing solutions, which will increase online visibility…

Hibu Cedar Rapids

Stamats sells Meetings Today brand to TPMG

Stamats Communications, Inc. has announced the sale of its group meetings and events media brand,…

Meetings Today logo

North Liberty building damaged in overnight explosion

A North Liberty building sustained significant damage after a late-night explosion. At 11 p.m. on…

Damage to two bays is evident at 309 Herky St. in North Liberty. The explosion happened late Monday night.

Shuttleworth & Ingersoll completes move to former Gazette building in downtown Cedar Rapids

Shuttleworth & Ingersoll has completed its move to the newly renovated former Gazette building at…

Shuttleworth & Ingersoll former Gazette building

Iowa City Downtown District to host ‘Scoop the Loop’ retail event

The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) is set to host a new summer-themed retail event…

Pet supply store opens in downtown Washington

A new pet supply store with roots in service dog training has opened for business…

Gray's Pet Supply owner Whitney Gray. The new store is located in downtown Washington, 208 S. Marion Ave.

Greater Iowa City Inc. launches new grant to boost rural community identity

Greater Iowa City, Inc. (Greater IC) has announced a new grant initiative, funded by Johnson…

The Greater Iowa City, Inc. blue banner displays its new logo.

Seeds Apparel uses faith and fashion to help restore Cedar Rapids neighborhood

Seeds Apparel in Cedar Rapids is a faith-based business that dabbles in more than just…