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…

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.

Real Success with Nate Kaeding: Jordan Sellergren, Little Village

Jordan Sellergren is the new owner and publisher of Little Village, the Iowa City-based alt…

Jordan Sellergren

SBA introduces new grant funding to support manufacturing in U.S.

As part of its Made in America Manufacturing initiative, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced…

The Manufacturing in America Grant initiative will provide up to $1.1 million to three eligible applicants in an effort to support small manufacturers in the SBA’s Empower to Grow Program.

SBA approves $22.4 million in Iowa small business loans in April

The U.S. Small Business Administration approved 45 loans totaling more than $22.4 million to Iowa…

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

Amana brewery, Cedar Rapids vegetable farm recipients of Choose Iowa value-added grants

Several Corridor businesses are recipients of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Choose…

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship logo

NFIB: New poll shows strong support for 20% small business tax deduction

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) says a new poll released by the organization…

NFIB logo

Women’s apparel store Textiles closing following owner’s retirement

After more than three decades as a fixture of downtown Iowa City’s retail landscape, Textiles…

Textiles' founder Ritu Jain.

South of 6 hosting grant application clinics for Johnson County small businesses

The South of 6 Iowa City Business District is hosting a series of grant application…

CREDIT GREATER IOWA CITY INC.

Mississippi River Distilling Co. joins Parallel Brewery Collective

In an unusual partnership, four of Iowa’s leading craft beverage brands – including Mississippi River…

The Mississippi River Distilling Company located in LeClaire is now a full member of Iowa-based Parallel Brewery Collective. MRDC and three other craft beverage companies are joining forces. CREDIT MRDC

EntreFEST returns to Cedar Rapids in June

EntreFEST, Iowa’s premier entrepreneurship and innovation conference, returns June 12-13, offering professionals the opportunity to…

Andre Wright speaks at Entrefest 2024 at the Olympic Theater in Cedar Rapids on June 14, 2024.

Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge opens in Coralville

Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge is rolling the dice on a brand-new venture, officially opening its…

Diversions Tabletop game Lounge co-owners Sean Finn and Nolan Petersen pose next to a stack of board games.

Johnson County coffee chain Coffee Emporium rebrands as Midnight Coffee

A popular Johnson County coffee chain is rolling out a new name to match the…

Logo for Midnight Coffee, formerly Coffee Emporium.

Real Success with Nate Kaeding: Caleb Knutson, Downtown Cedar Rapids

Caleb Knutson is the new executive director of Downtown Cedar Rapids, a role he began…

Caleb Knutson Downtown District

North Liberty chocolatier blends math and design for stunning sweets

Mathematics, metalworking, and chocolate might not sound like the best recipe for a small business.…

Chocolatier Anne Goddard removes a batch of mint chocolate sweets from a mold at A Chocolate Studio in North Liberty on Feb. 5, 2025. CREDIT PARKER JONES

True North Restoration opens Cedar Rapids location

True North Restoration celebrated the grand opening of its new location, 4501 Pro Farmer Rd.,…

True North Restoration hosts a ribbon cutting at its new Cedar Rapids location in February 2025. CREDIT TRUE NORTH