Small Business

Customers make their way through the Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids during opening day in 2025. Iowa’s farmers market season begins in May, with the large-scale downtown market opening on May 30.

As grocery prices climb, Iowa farmers markets try to hold steady

Iowa farmers markets could be a refuge from food inflation, at least in the short term. Surging fuel prices, fertilizer prices that have risen nearly 50% since the war in Iran began and other input costs that affect farmers won’t…

Calyx Creek and Lavender wins Iowa Farm Bureau prize

Oxford-based Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging has won the second -place prize for the Iowa…

Taylor and Stephanie Getting, owners of Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging in Oxford.

Center Point family honored with Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

The Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to…

The Ditch Family of Center Point was honored with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor at the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines. Front left to right: Bob Quinn (Host of The Big Show), Matt Ditch, Joshua Ditch, and Victoria Ditch. Back left to right: AJ Ditch, Ken Ditch, Becky Ditch, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Brian Waddingham (Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers), and Pat McGonegle (Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Pork Producers Association).

Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week participants announced

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance has announce the restaurants selected to participate in the…

Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week

The Wedge Pizzeria moves back to downtown Iowa City 

The Wedge Pizzeria, which originally opened in 1999, has announced its return to downtown Iowa…

The Eat Shop nears opening of second, larger location in Marion

Cheryl Maloney says she lives her life by saying “yes,” then figuring out the details…

Cheryl Maloney at the front counter of The Eat Shop’s new location in Uptown Marion. The bakery, at 1107 Seventh Ave., is set to open Feb. 1. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

NFIB announces 2025 Iowa legislative priorities

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, has…

Iowa Capitol

Wellman, Oxford business receive IEDA Rural Innovation Grant to boost growth

Businesses in the Wellman and Oxford areas are among the recipients of the Iowa Economic…

Taylor and Stephanie Getting, owners of Calyx Creek Lavender & Lodging in Oxford.

Cedar Rapids marketing agency JWMorton rebrands

Cedar Rapids-based marketing and branding agency JWMorton has rebranded after 40 years in business. The…

JWMorton

CBJ Newsmakers: Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, SBA Iowa District Office form alliance

This story is a part of the CBJ’s Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up from the…

Bruce Teague, CEO and owner of Caring Hands & More and the mayor of Iowa City, accepts the SBA Impact Award June 11 in Des Moines. (from left) Bruce Teague, Chamber member Paul Richardson and Chamber chair Dan Jansen.

Sanctuary Pub, Which Wich in Iowa City closed for business

Sanctuary Pub, a favorite English-inspired watering hole in Iowa City since 1972, has closed its…

English-inspired Sanctuary Pub, at 405 S. Gilbert St.

SBA approves $18.5 million in Iowa loans in December 2024

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has released its monthly loan approval figures in Iowa…

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans Iowa

Wilson’s Orchard announces restaurant closure

Iowa City-based Wilson’s Orchard & Farm will be closing its restaurant and converting the upper…

A view of the dining area inside Wilson's Ciderhouse in Iowa City.

Iowa City organizations launch Underestimated Small Business Grants

Greater Iowa City, Inc., in partnership with the Community Foundation of Johnson County and South…

CREDIT GREATER IOWA CITY INC.

Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County hosting ‘Black in Business’ holiday shop and swap

The Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County will host a celebration of local Black entrepreneurship and…

Blue and gold Christmas ornament bulbs

SBA reports $195.9 million in Iowa loan approvals for 2024 fiscal year

The Iowa district office of the Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the agency’s fiscal…

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans Iowa