Small Business

Drew Hart and Annie McElree of Fenokee furniture pose in their workshop in Cedar Rapids Sept. 26, 2025. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Fenōkee furniture merges art and craft

The small forge takes up only a fraction of the space in the converted workshop, but its heat is soon felt throughout the building. It doesn’t take long for the occupants to start perspiring, despite the roll-up garage door being…

Creativity is a state of mind for this Marion gift shop

A new gift shop in Uptown Marion is selling a little bit of inspiration mixed…

State of Mind owner Carissa Starleaf in her store July 7. CREDIT ANNIE SMITH BARKALOW

Midnight Coffee to open a fifth location in Clive

A Johnson County coffee chain is expanding its footprint with a new location planned for…

Midnight Coffee's logo is prominently displayed on a disposable coffee cup.

30hop expands into Kansas City and Omaha

Iowa-based restaurant group 30hop is expanding its regional presence with new locations in Kansas City…

30hop Coralville

Startup Weekend Iowa City is coming up – here’s what you need to know

Aspiring entrepreneurs with bold ideas will have a chance to fine-tune them at Techstars Startup…

Startup Weekend Iowa City is a chance for aspiring entrepreneurs to try out their ideas and gain insight into successfully launching a business.

SBA approves nearly $9 million in Iowa loans in June 2025

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved 27 loans totaling nearly $9 million to Iowa…

Elite Edge Athletics tumbling Iowa SBA loans

The Olympic Theater announces its search for a new owner

The Olympic South Side Theater, a historic event venue in the New Bohemia neighborhood of…

Feed Iowa First Director of Land Access Emmaly Renshaw shares her organization's current initiatives.

Salsa Guy Cafe to open second location at former Wendy’s

The Salsa Guy Cafe, which opened its first brick-and-mortar location in August 2024 after nearly…

Salsa Guy Cafe Mount Vernon Road

Hy-Vee accepting applications for 2025 Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit

Hy-Vee’s Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit will be held in Central Iowa this fall, the company…

NewBoCo’s Iowa Startup Accelerator to relaunch this fall

After a two-year hiatus, the Iowa Startup Accelerator is returning this fall with a renewed…

Iowa Startup Accelerator NewBoCo

NFIB Iowa director reacts to small business optimism increases

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index rose three points in…

A woman stands outside her shop waiting for customers

Vintage shop The Glittering Pear to open in Uptown Marion

A new vintage and art boutique has opened in Uptown Marion, offering shoppers a mix…

A new vintage and art boutique is opening in Uptown Marion, offering shoppers a mix of antique finds and local handmade art.

Iowa City Downtown District plans to expand SSMID borders

The Iowa City Downtown District is looking to expand its Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID)…

The new ICDD SSMID boundaries would extend north and south, encompassing UI Health Care's Downtown Campus on Market Street.

Informatics announces leadership changes amid continued growth

Informatics Inc., a full-service marketing and web agency based in Cedar Rapids, has announced several…

Informatics Cedar Rapids

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture unveils Choose Iowa passport to boost agritourism

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has launched the Choose Iowa Passport, a free, interactive…

Honeycrisp apples begged to be picked at Wilson's Orchard & Farm in Des Moines.

Sanctuary Pub to reopen under new ownership

A beloved English-inspired watering hole is making a comeback in Iowa City. The Sanctuary Pub,…

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