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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 2
Mission Statement
How to volunteer:
(Store for Homes, Newton Community Education Foundation)
Newton Main Street is a volunteer-driven organization. Volunteers compose our Board of Directors and the four Main Street committees, and are responsible for planning, organizing and completing Main Street’s downtown revitalization activities and projects. Needless to say, with so much going on, we are always looking for more volunteers, of all ages and with broad representation of the community. To become a Main Street volunteer, please go to the following link on our website, complete and return the form: www.newtoniamainstreet.com/get-involved/.
Kathy Winn – Vice President
How to donate:
The mission of Newton Main Street is to preserve the history, invest in the future and to develop pride in our downtown district through community involvement, volunteerism and private-public partnerships within the Main Street district, the heart of Newton.
Board of Directors Graham Sullivan – President (In Remembrance)
Donations from individuals, businesses and civic entities make up Newton Main Street’s entire budget, funding our activities and program administration. We could not do what we do without the financial support from the community. To become a Main Street donor, please click on the following link, complete and return the form or find our online donation option at: www.newtoniamainstreet.com/get-involved/donate/.
Corinne Coyle – Treasurer (Advantage Credit Union)
Danielle Rogers – Secretary (Vernon Company)
Lin Chape – Economic Restructuring committee
Contact Information:
(City of Newton City Council)
Bruce Showalter – Organization committee chair (REMAX Real Estate)
Lonnie Portner
(State Farm, Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce)
Larry Hurto – Design committee
(City of Newton Historic Preservation Commission)
Karen Liebl – Organization committee (KCOB/Energy 106.7)
Don Poynter – Economic Restructuring committee chair (US Bank, City of Newton Planning and Zoning Committee)
Mailing address: Newton Main Street 113 1st Ave. W. Newton, Iowa 50208 Phone: 641-792-5545 Email: newtonmainstreet@gmail.com Web: newtoniamainstreet.com FB: www.facebook.com/NewtonMainStreet
Table of Contents The Farmer’s Wife wins Newton Main Street’s Open 4 Business contest.......................... pg 3
Dianna Ambroson – Promotion committee (Downtown SSMID, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy)
Newton Farmers’ Market back and bigger than ever....................................................... pg 4
Mike Jacobsen
Farmers’ Market Vendors and Product listing................................................................... pg 5
Program Director – Andrew Bassman
Downtown micro-grants available for business and building owners............................... pg 6
(Jasper County Attorney)
Newton Fest draws hundreds to downtown, and BBQ contest judge from overseas......... pg 7
Where is the Newton Main Street District:
Newton hosts Main Street Iowa Spring Workshop............................................................ pg 8 Midtown building sale, renovation still looming.............................................................. pg 10 City Council approves two-year extension of program agreement with Newton Main Street............................................................................. pg 11 Newton Main Street awarded Window Display and Visual Merchandising grant............. pg 12 Relics making move to Pappy’s building........................................................................ pg 13 Book Trader/Tan America moving west.......................................................................... pg 14 Neton Main Street Board President receives Govenor’s Volunteer Award........................ pg 15 photo submitted
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 3
The Farmer’s Wife wins Newton Main Street’s Open 4 Business contest By Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Thursday, May 26, 2016
The Farmer’s Wife has won Newton Main Street’s 2016 Open 4
Business contest, Newton Main Street announced on May 25.
The Farmer’s Wife, which sells one-of-a-kind interior and exterior home décor and gifts, received a prize package valued at $3,200 and advanced to sub-state Open 4 Business competition. “I’m very honored to have won,” said Bonnie Terpstra, who owns the Farmer’s Wife. “Thank you to the Main Street program and all the donors and volunteers who make it all such a success.” Open 4 Business, a business plan contest, has a local, regional and state component. Terpstra gave her sales pitch at a regional contest in Ottumwa on June 14 but did not advance to the next round. Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority host the regional and state contests. For the local contest, Advantage Credit Union, Bank Iowa, Edward Jones Investments, US Bank, and Newton Main Street contributed a total cash prize of $1,500. Other sponsors, including the Newton Daily News, KCOB/Energy 106.7, the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sign Pro, donated marketingrelated in-kind services valued at $1,700. A cash match of 25 percent of the award by the recipient is required at each level of the contest. Terpstra plans to invest the Open 4 Business funds in a new e-commerce site to enhance her store’s online presence and new inventory specifically for the online store. “I’m an interior designer, not a programmer,” Terpstra said. “So I need help with the online stuff.” Terpstra has always enjoyed working with her hands, starting with crafts and other projects as a kid in 4H. She honed her skills in classes like shop, woodworking and advanced woodworking. As a stay-at-home mom, she worked on crafts as her children slept and sold her creations at area craft shows. In 2002, she
Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News
The Farmer’s Wife, owned by Bonnie Terpstra, was the winner of Newton Main Street’s 2016 Open 4 Business contest.
finally opened her own shop in the Courthouse Mall before quickly outgrowing that space and moving to her current location. “Times were good when I started,” Terpstra said. “Then Maytag leaves, followed by the recession. What can I do to capture lost sales? Expanding my customer base through online shopping.” On June 14, Terpstra competed at one of five regional competitions occurring across the state against four other businesses from Iowa Main Street communities. Up for grabs was a chance to win $8,000 and advance to state. The winner of the state contest, in Mason City during the Iowa Downtown Conference on Aug. 2, collects an additional $20,000.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 4
Newton Farmers’ Market back and bigger than ever By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Thursday, June 2, 2016
Carve out more time to purchase your fresh produce and baked
goods because the Newton Farmers’ Market is growing.
Beginning on June 7, 18 full-time vendors and two part-time vendors will have their goods for sale from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the northwest corner of the Jasper County Courthouse lawn. “We are seeing excitement from vendors throughout the region about the Newton market,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said. “More vendors and more products and more activities should lead to a better customer experience and ultimately more customers. And we think the market has the potential to continue to grow into the future.” The new vendors add a wider range of fresh produce, baked goods and arts and crafts to grow upon the selection from 2015. New items will also be available including products from wineries, Mason jar desserts, flowers, herbal salves, soft pretzels and more. Throughout the summer, the market will also feature booths from nonprofit organizations, live music and an assortment of other activities. The only significant change to the market this year is the start time, which will be moved back by 30 minutes from its previous start time of 4 p.m. Bassman said the change was made to better align with the courthouse hours and to accommodate residents who commute or work until later in the day. Newton Main Street took on the task of running the farmers’ market in 2015 and in the process moved the market back to downtown from its previous location at the Centre for Arts and Artists. “The courthouse space served the market well last season. Last year, we grew to 13 full-time and nine part-time vendors,” Bassman said. “We had a great experience last year using the courthouse lawn. I think the market benefited from the visibility.” For more information about the Newton Farmers’ Market contact Bassman at 641-792-5545 or newtonmainstreet@gmail.com.
File Photo
The 2016 edition of the Newton Farmers’ Market kicked off on Tuesday on the Jasper County Courthouse lawn with more vendors and a wider variety produce and merchandise. For a list of vendors, visit www.newtoniamainstreet.com.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 5
Proud to support Newton Main Street!
Farmers’ Market Vendors and Products — Al and Pat Ward —
An assortment of small and large homemade pies
— Bla Yang and Vang Yang —
Tomatoes, watermelons, green beans, beets, sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, radishes, spinach and squash
— Bunny Traxx Ceramics —
From Wall Street to Main Street, our focus remains on you!
Glazed- and paint-finished ceramics, decorated kitchen towels, scrubbies, microwave and oven mitts
— Choua’s Homegrown Veggies —
Green beans, beets, cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumber, eggplant, kohlrabi, lettuce, okra, green onion, sweet onion, peas, bell peppers, radishes, spinach, zucchini, tomatoes, turnips, watermelons
— Daisy Hill Farm —
Lettuce, spinach, chard, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, squash, green beans. Hand-crafted wood jewelry and household items
— Dawn Troutner —
Tomatoes, sweetcorn, melons, watermelons, cucumbers, zucchinis, onions, peppers
Newton Downtown Office 112 W. 2nd St. S. 641-792-3444
— DMACC Newton Culinary Arts — Mason jar desserts
— John Brandhof —
Newton Hy-Vee Office 1501 1st Ave E. 641-787-9330
Sweetcorn, tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers
— John Ernest Vineyard and Winery — Wine by the bottle
usbank.com
— Just Let Me Bake —
Breads, produce, cut flowers, popsicles, soft pretzels, cookies
RE/MAX Real Estate Concepts Loves Newton & being a part of the Main Street
— Kandy’s Kreations — Wooden plaques, t-shirts, jewelry
—Linda Schelling —
Tomatoes, peppers, green beans, peas, lettuce, radishes, kohlrabi, beets, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, squash
— Lance Shryock — produce and baked goods
— Linda’s Bake Shop —
Breads: garlic cheese, cinnamon sugar, bacon cheddar, dill, fruit breads, crisps and pumpkin bars, cinnamon rolls, pecan rolls, bars, cookies, sugar cookies, pies, cupcakes, almond bars, fruit rolls, cakes, ready to bake frozen cookie dough
— Nancy’s Canned Creations — Jams and jellies, and crochet top towels
— Pang Chang —
Green beans, tomatoes, beets, radishes, green onions, cucumbers, candy onions, zucchinis, lettuce, squash and handcrafted items
— Sarah Ness—
Herbal salves (all-purpose, calendula, comfrey, cottonwood/St. John’s wort, eucalyptus and dandelion), doll clothes
— Summerset Winery—
Wines and other items: Haley’s corkers, wine hooks, sippy cups, chiller bags
— The Cookie Jar Bake Shoppe—
L to R: Kathy Macy, Julie Rose, Jo Jenkins Bruce Showalter, Barb Barr, Sherri Newton & Alida Anderson
120 N. 2nd Ave. W.,Newton 641-791-2800
— Whitmore’s Riverbottom Farms— Fruits, vegetables, herbs, jams and jellies
SM-NE3940022-0630
Aprons, layer cakes, scotcharoos, tarts, cupcakes
Each office independently owned & operated
Real Estate Concepts
youtube.com/RealEstateConcepts
Facebook.com/RealEstateConcepts
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 6
Downtown micro-grants available for business and building owners By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Tuesday, April 12, 2016
N
ewton Main Street has worked with the City of Newton to propose a micro-grant for façade improvements in the Newton Main Street District. City Council approved the micro-grant in April and funds are now available for District building owners. The program gives downtown business owners the opportunity to improve the outside aesthetics in accordance with the Newton Downtown Historic District design guidelines. “Last June when the city bonded we included a line item of $100,000 for downtown façade improvement. With that $100,000 we have formed the basis for a micro-grant program,” director of planning and zoning Erin Chambers said. “A micro-grant is small grant amounts to be spread throughout the district for immediate improvements within the downtown.” The grant program was established to continue to the work of Newton’s Action Plan in focusing on curb appeal and supporting the downtown’s role as the heart of the community. The program encourages property owners to reinvest in their property and complete projects in accordance with the downtown design guidelines. “A well-kept, historic downtown area will create a sense of place that will support the continued effort to grow the tourism sector of the local economy,” Chambers said. Aspects of business fronts that will be targeted for the use of the initial $100,000 are signage, non-historic facade removal, rehabilitation of historic facade, painting or paint removal, new awning or awning removal and architectural fees that can go towards for a large project. “Oftentimes the larger projects that are eligible for tax credits do require an architect’s involvement. Sometimes that is a hurdle or barrier for property owners to invest in that upfront architectural cost. It is seen that it could be one opportunity to help spur a greater project,” Chambers said. Each Main Street District business is eligible to apply with a 1:1 cash match required for the awarded grant. Eligible grant activities include sign or sign removal receiving up to $750 with a maximum award of two per applicant, non-historic facade removal receiving up to $2,000 with a total of one per applicant and repair or rehabilitation of historic facade or features receiving up to $5,000 with a maximum award of one per applicant or one per street frontage. “(Repair or rehabilitation of historic facade or features) compliments the previous opportunity. You take your non-historic facade off, then you see what’s underneath, so you may need some assistance in bringing that up to speed,” Chamber said. Also included are new awning or awning removal receiving up to $2,500 with a maximum award of two per applicant, painting and pain removal receiving up to $1,500 twice for a business and architectural fees covering up to 7.5 percent of the total project costs, not to exceed $3,750. The architectural fees can only be awarded once. “Often architectural fees are based on project costs and in talking to area architects, they would look at the overall scope of work and what the project might be and base their fee on that,” Chambers said. To distribute the funds, City Council has established a grant review board. The review Board consists of a combination of historic preservation commissioners and Newton Main Street design committee volunteers.
Jamee A. Pierson/ Daily News Shawn and Vicki Wade are one of the first applicants for the Downtown Micro-Grant Program for their building at 201 First Ave. W. The top photo shows the building as it currently sits while the bottom image is a rendering of work that is planned should they receive funds from the grant.
Projects proposed for Downtown Micro-Grants By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Friday, June 17, 2016
Two Downtown Micro-Grant Program projects were on the agenda for the June 20 Newton City Council meeting. These were the first two projects for the program that were approved.
The first application was received by Shawn and Vicki Wade for their building at 201 First Ave. W. Projects for the building include new signage to better tie into the character of the building and painting panels that are located between brick areas of the building. The Downtown Grant Review Board, the group charged with reviewing grant applications, approved as much as $695 for the signage and as much as $1,162 for the paint. The second applications was submitted by J. Paul Sandholm for his building at 106 E. Third St. S. Sandholm plans to improve the historic facade of the building, including cleaning and repairing the masonry work and installing new windows and a new door. The windows and door will be restored to the original opening and provide a more historically accurate appearance. The second portion of the project will have Sandholm painting the north and south brick wall surfaces the color that resembles the original color of the tile brick. The review board approved up to $5,000 for the facade renovation and up to $1,500 for the paint work. The Downtown Micro-Grant Program was established to encourage downtown owners to reinvest in their property and business in accordance with the Downtown Historic District Design Guidelines. A total of $100,000 was set aside for the program, provided by funds bonded in 2015.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016– Page 7
Newton Fest draws hundreds to downtown, and a BBQ contest judge from overseas By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Monday, June 13, 2016
When Iltud Dunsford
had fresh-cooked barbecue placed in front of him, it was completely new experience. Dunsford, a native of Wales, was sent to the U.S. on a scholarship to attend last week’s World Pork Expo in Des Moines, and also ended up in Newton on June 11, helping judge Newton Main Street’s Backyard BBQ contest during Newton Fest. While many visitors to the Illtud Dunsford, who lives in Wales, was second-annual event might far from home Saturday when he helped not have seen all of Newton judge the barbecue contest at Newton Fest. Fest’s activities in one place, Dunsford was learning about Iowa and U.S. culture all at once. Jason Brooks/Daily News
“We don’t have anything like this over there,” Dunsford said, referring to American barbecue competition. “Fortunately, the owners of the company I’m here with (Charcutier, Ltd.) see value in travel and seeing how things are done elsewhere, and I’m glad to be a part of this.”
were held Saturday, spread across various downtown sites and a few in other parts of town. A handful of events were held Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The barbecue contest was one of a few new events this year. The barbecue contest drew seven teams willing to pony up the $30 entry fee and compete for $1,000 in prize money. Larry Hurto’s tour of seven downtown churches included about 20 people, and Chalk the Walk seemed to have strong interest. “The barbecue contest went as well as it possibly could have,” said Andrew Bassman, director of the Newton Main Street program. “We sold the maximum number of tickets, and heard nothing but positive feedback from contestants and consumers alike.” The grand champion of the barbecue contest was BAM BQ from Cedar Rapids, with Matt Koon’s Newton “Koon BQ” team earning reserve champion honors. The Newton DMACC Culinary Arts program took first place in chicken wings from the certified judges, while BAM BQ took first place in ribs. Kyle Johnson’s Newton T-Rex BBQ took the People’s Choice Award for its chicken wings.
Dunsford was probably the Newton Fest visitor farthest from home — and many visitors were only blocks from their doorsteps. Despite unseasonably warm temperatures, the event definitely drew from outside the county, though many Newton residents brought themselves, and, in many cases, their families to Newton Fest events. Hundreds of people visited Newton Fest despite high temperatures, enjoying food, events and music. The barbecue contest, along with the bulk of the other Newton Fest events,
Jason W. Brooks/Daily News
Jessie Johnson of Diesel Smokehouse in Des Moines mans the grill during the Newton Fest barbecue competition Saturday.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 8
Newton hosts Main Street Iowa Spring Workshop More than 80 representatives attend two-day event By Kate Malott Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Friday, April 1, 2016
Newton Main Street hosted about 85 people from around the state
March 30 and 31 for the Main Street Iowa Spring Workshop held at The First United Methodist Church. The spring workshop generated an estimated $10,000 spent locally and served as a training for the 52 state Main Street programs with a focus on fundraising and investment drives. “Three times during the year we bring the Main Street Iowa network together for training, networking and deep dives into technical topics. Here in Newton, we had a central location that had the facilities in the downtown district to host the training,” Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler said.
Kate Malott/Daily News
Erin Chambers, City of Newton Director of Planning and Zoning, gives a group of Main Street Iowa district representatives a tour of the Newton Main Street district. Chambers highlighted the streetscape plan projects and the organizations support from the city.
On Wednesday, the workshop began with a “Sustainability, Success and Fundraising” presentation from nonprofit facilitator Andy Robinson, of Vermont, who has worked with volunteer leaders in 47 states in his 35 year career. Main Street representatives also learned about redefining fundraising, the psychology of fundraising and board engagement before an evening hospitality party held in the former Speakeasy building.
On Tuesday, the workshop included panel discussions and round tables about different grant programs available and grant writing techniques. Newton Main Street Board of Directors President Graham Sullivan gave a presentation about the program’s progress, and Linda Klepinger, Larry Hurto, Erin Chambers and Newton Main Street Program Director Andrew Bassman led group tours around the Newton Main Street district. Main Street Cultural District Ames Executive Director Cindy Hicks attended the two-day event and said she enjoys the opportunity to share insights with other Main Street directors. “It’s always nice to gather with other people who do the same job as you and learn from them and to see what is being successful in other communities so that you can take that back to your community,” she said. Hicks spent many years with Main Street Kansas before coming to Iowa, and she sees Newton’s downtown district stands out as asset to the community. “You look at downtown Newton and there are cars, there are people, there is business happening, and that is really something special because there are main streets across the country that are dying, and Newton has taken steps to see that their Main Street doesn’t become one of those,” Hicks said. Main Street Iowa is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and is a state-funded organization. Its goal is economic development within the context of historic preservation and focuses on economic restructuring, design, organization and promotion to create a positive image for downtown districts. Newton Main Street received its designation in 2014 and its initial three-year pledge drive concludes at the end of 2016. Representatives will begin another three-year pledge drive in the coming months. “The Main Street Program in Iowa is just fabulous,” Hicks said. “They really do a great job of supporting all of the communities that are a part of their program and we all benefit from it, and we all benefit from events like this, and especially in Newton. This is really a nice little town.”
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 9
Showing Their True Colors
Jason Brooks/Daily News
Jason Brooks/Daily News
A building along Newton’s North Second Avenue, east of the courthouse square and housing Lederman Bonds and the Book Trader, had much of its aluminum paneling removed by a contractor Wednesday, revealing windows and the colors and construction materials of the past. Watch a video of the work at bit. ly/20a465G
PJ’s Deli, located at 101 1st Ave. E., removed wood shingles from its façade and the tower on top of the building over the last few months, exposing the building’s original glazed brick façade and other features.
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 10
Midtown building sale, renovation still looming Developer: ‘We’re going to make it happen’ By Abigail Pelzer Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Tuesday, May 31, 2016
M
ore than 15 months after the Newton community began buzzing about a $10 million historic renovation of the former Hotel Maytag, the building sale is not complete. Project developer, Andy Frantz of Cedar Rapids-based Frantz Community Investors, said the renovation will happen — it’s just taken far longer to pull together than anyone initially thought. Plans were unveiled on March 24, 2015 with much fanfare — a visit from Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and a roundtable discussion with developers Cedar Rapids-based Frantz Community Investors, architects, city leaders and historians. The building project on the corner of First Street North and North Second Avenue East in Newton’s historic downtown is expected to restore the ballroom, add 36 market-price apartments, corporate apartments for shorter-term stays, commercial space and an upscale restaurant to the current Midtown building. Frantz, whose company specializes in historic restoration projects, began exploring the property in 2014. Since the project was announced, Frantz said much work has gone into architectural drawings, general contractor work and the appraisal of the structure built in 1926 by F.L. Maytag. “We’re totally invested in this,” Frantz said. But meanwhile, the clock is ticking on a two-year timeframe to utilize a $75,000 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant to restore the former Hotel Maytag ballroom. While Frantz said they’re aware of the clock, it’s not an issue. “I have no concern we’re going to put that in jeopardy,” Frantz said. “We’re continuing work with state historic people, tax credits and it’s just been a longer project to pull together than anyone anticipated.” Newton Main Street Director Andrew Bassman said his organization is understanding of the scale and scope of the project. He said even though project leaders don’t believe they need it, an extension on the grant could be requested. In December, the Newton City Council unanimously approved an agreement that provides $600,000 in TIF development incentives and property tax rebates for the renovation of the building. The incentive includes property tax rebates, the sale of a lot for parking, a $50,000 contribution of TIF infrastructure funds and waiving development permit fees associated with the project.
Abigail Pelzer/Daily News
The historic rehabilitation of the former Hotel Maytag, shown here on the corner of First Street North and North Second Avenue East, is stalled but project developers say they are still committed to the $10 million renovation.
The property tax value of the building, which is currently at $343,990 is expected to increase to $2.3 million before 2018. The agreement includes tax rebates for 15 years. Bryan Friedman, director of finance and development for the city, said economic development leaders look at the long-term picture on a project like this, and pointed toward the recent development of the Newton Place Apartments. He said development began slowly and also took time to pull all the elements together. “Now it’s a completed, great part of our community and it was worth the wait in that instance,” Friedman said. “I would certainly expect the Hotel Maytag to be worth the wait as well.” Friedman said while progress is slow, it’s continuing. He also said attempts are being made to keep up with the maintenance to the benefit of the tenants. “It’s a $10 million project and projects of that size tend to take longer to put all the pieces together,” Friedman said. “The expectation that it all could be put together in a few months after it was first proposed was probably a little aggressive.”
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 11
City Council approves two-year extension of program agreement with Newton Main Street
We’re not satisfied until your questions are answered. Serving
Newton for
18 years!
By Andrew Bassman
C
ity Council unanimously passed a resolution of support and financial commitment for the Newton Main Street program at its June 6 meeting.
“To date, the City has been an excellent partner to the Main Street program in every way possible,” said Andrew Bassman, executive director of Newton Main Street. “We are thrilled Council has decided to continue the partnership and we look forward to continue working with the City to make great things happen in the downtown.” The resolution commits the City of Newton to an as yet unspecified level of financial contribution to the Newton Main Street program for 2017 and 2018. The City of Newton had pledged $25,000 per year from 2014-2016. The resolution also carries with it a general statement of policy support for Newton Main Street and its future downtown revitalization efforts. The City of Newton’s resolution was preceded by a resolution of support for extending the program agreement from Newton Main Street’s Board of Directors. Newton was designated a Main Street Iowa community in February 2014. Program agreement renewals will occur every two years into the future. “We have momentum going downtown,” Bassman said. “Let’s not stop now.”
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 12
Newton Main Street awarded Window Display and Visual Merchandising grant By Main Street News Release Originally Printed on June 22, 2016
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ain Street Iowa has awarded Newton Main Street a grant of technical assistance for Window Display and Visual Merchandising. Newton Main Street was one of 12 Main Street programs in Iowa to receive the award through a competitive selection process. The technical assistance grant includes a 60-minute instructional seminar, one-on-one consultations with Main Street District businesses (as time allows), and plan, design and implementation of window displays or other visual merchandising improvements in three Main Street District retail businesses. “Window displays can serve as major traffic drivers for any business,” according to an informational sheet distributed by Anna Woodward, the consultant Main Street Iowa contracted with to provide the technical assistance. “This initial perception often helps determine the customer’s expected product quality, price point expectations and can be the number one determinant on whether or not they walk in the door,” according to Woodward. Newton Main Street will host Woodward on July 27.
Submitted Photo
The window display at the Sewing House in Ottumwa, pictured, was the product of Main Street Iowa’s Window Display and Visual Merchandising technical assistance grant. Newton Main Street received the Window Display grant in 2016 and will host the technical assistance visit on July 27.
Newton’s only locally owned full service bank for over 80 years!
The instructional seminar features interactive activities and a graphics-oriented presentation. The seminar is open to the public with limited space available and preference given to Main Street District retail businesses.
Shaped by our Past, f focused on Your Future.
The three retailers implementing a design that day will meet with Woodward to develop a vision. Newton Main Street volunteers will be on hand to assist with installation. Each participating business must commit to a minimum $50 project implementation budget. “Flexibility and an open mind to new ideas typically lead to better results,” according to Woodward. The technical assistance has an estimated market value of $1,000 or more.
100 N. 2nd Ave. W. 1821 First Ave. E. Newton Newton 641-792-3010 641-792-9420 www.firstnnb.com SM-NE3940018-0630
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 13
Relics making move to Pappy’s building By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Monday, May 16, 2016
R
elics antiques, collectibles and stuff is on the move and is heading to a familiar location on the downtown Newton square. The business will be moving into the former Pappy’s Antique Mall on First Avenue, gaining much needed space to grow. “We had a chance at renting it; so, kind of like our first move, we decided over the weekend and just took it,” owner Laurie Nelson said. Relics originally opened in February 2015 following the closure of Pappy’s in December 2013. Nelson, along with her husband Jerry, opened up the shop after previously having a booth at Pappy’s and took along many of the vendors that had a home in Pappy’s. “So far all of my vendors are going with me. Most of all them were over there when it was Pappy’s,” Nelson said. “A lot of the vendors are asking for their old spots from when they were at Pappy’s.” Nelson and her husband have been hard at work getting the space ready for vendors again. Between cleaning the carpets, remodeling the bathrooms, rebuilding counters and general housekeeping, along with running their thriving business, the Nelsons are looking forward to being in the new space and having the move complete. “A lot of things that we purchased that were left in there and we’re working on getting that organized,” Nelson said. Nelson hopes to have the move complete by July 1. She said to begin, they will be utilizing the main floor but could expand to the other three levels if business dictates. “If we have to, the second level doesn’t require a whole lot of work, and we can open that,” Nelson said. Relic’s current location and the Extra’s expansion will both close following the move. Nelson said she knows the Pappy’s building is well known to those in the business and she will not be afraid to use that to her advantage. “We’ll use Relics in the old Pappy’s building. I’m not afraid to use it for advertising,” Nelson said. Although the move will leave another building on the square vacant, having a large, very visible space occupied is exciting for those working to rejuvenate the Newton downtown.
Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News
Pappy’s Antique Mall has been empty for more than two years following the business leaving in December 2013. Relics antiques, collectibles and stuff, which opened on the west side of the square just two months later in response to the closure, is moving into the large store front on First Avenue and is hoping to open on July 1.
“Hearing about Relics’ plan to move into the Pappy’s building is very good news for the Main Street District,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said. “The building has been vacant for over two years now and it is fantastic to see such a highly visible building occupied again. It is also great to see an existing retailer having success and expanding its operation.” Nelson is currently looking to take on new vendors in the larger space. For more information aboutRelics contact Nelson at 641-7870353 or relicsofnewton@windstream.net.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 14
Book Trader/Tan America moving west By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Monday, May 23, 2016
Books will begin the trek down the street through June, moving a section at a time, and the tanning beds will be moved over the Fourth of July weekend. Hansen plans to open the new location on July 6. She also hopes to hold a grand re-opening celebration in the following weeks. One feature the new location is lacking is a picture window, a wellknown attraction at her current site. Hansen hopes to bring that feature to the new location. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get the front open and get the picture window in. Get it opened back up,” Hansen said. Hansen is excited for the move and for activity that is happening in the entirely of the downtown. Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News
Book Trader/Tan America is packing up and moving down the street to a new location on Second Avenue West. Owner Cheryl Hansen said the move will begin in June and the new location will officially open on July 6.
“It looks like there is a lot going on. Relics is moving, there is a lot of change going on around town which is good to get stuff filled up,” Hansen said. “It is nice to see new stuff around.”
A
fter 15 years at its current location on North Second Avenue East, Book Trader/Tan America is moving. The book and tanning business isn’t moving far, though, with its new home located two blocks down the street on Second Avenue West. “It had sat empty for about two years and I didn’t realize it was that big,” owner Cheryl Hansen said. “I drove by it all of the time but I didn’t realize the size of it. Once I looked at it, I thought ‘Oh my goodness, it has sat open for two years, just sitting there.’” Instead of continuing to lease her space as she has done for 17 years, Hansen took the jump and purchased the building her business will be located in. “It will go good. It’ll be nice to own,” Hansen said. Hansen purchased the business from the previous owner in 1999, when Book Trader was located on the square. With about half the space of the current store, there were only two tanning beds and far fewer books. In 2002, Hansen moved the store to its current location and expanded her book inventory as well as adding four more tanning beds. Hansen has been hard at work at the new location, remodeling the space to fit the business’s needs. “We had to totally strip it out and redo it from carpet to ceiling. That is what we are still working on,” Hansen said. “We also have to rebuild the tanning rooms.”
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 15
Newton Main Street Board President receives Governor’s Volunteer Award By By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Wednesday June 22, 2016
Newton Main Street Board President Graham Sullivan was hon-
ored with the Governor’s Volunteer Award on Tuesday. Sullivan has served as president of Main Street since its inception in 2014. “I feel honored to be selected among everyone. We have a really good board and there are a lot of people that could be recognized,” Sullivan said. “I do put a lot of time and effort into Main Street but it’s because I enjoy it.” Sullivan was nominated for the award by Main Street Iowa’s state coordinator Michael Wagler. She received the award and recognition for her work at a ceremony on Tuesday morning at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill. “Graham has guided Newton Main Street from the start, doing the behind-the-scenes work that is not glamorous but absolutely crucial to an organization’s stability and success,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said. “Graham is always there when the program needs her and is incredibly deserving of the award and recognition.” Sullivan started with Newton Main Street after working with the Renew Newton campaign.
Submitted Photo
Graham Sullivan, Newton Main Street Board President, stands with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Gov. Terry Branstad after receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Award during a ceremony Tuesday. The award recognizes the commitment, service and time that volunteers contribute each year to their communities.
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“They took the remaining funds from Renew Newton and pledged it to Main Street. It kind of just morphed from Renew Newton to Main Street,” Sullivan said. “I think most of our board moved to Main Street, it is just the next phase.” The Governor’s Volunteer Award program was established in 1982 to honor and recognize the commitment, service and time that hundreds of volunteers contribute each year to meet community challenges. It serves to give recognition to those who work to make Iowa’s cities, towns, schools, and our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Sullivan is a Newton native and 2003 graduate of Newton High School. On Thursday she will also be recognized with the Newton Daily News 20 Under 40 award.
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - June • 2016 – Page 16
Public space improvements in progress
Implementation of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan began on S. Second Avenue W. in June.
The above photo shows one of the sidewalk repairs completed by the City of Newton in the spring.
The above photos shows new benches installed at the pocket park north of the square. Donations from the Wallace family and the Grimm family paid for the benches.
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