April 16, 2024

Main Street, downtown continue to feature new businesses

By Jason W
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Aleya Salon Suites & Day Spa is an example of a single Newton storefront and building being used by several buisnesspeople to keep overhead costs low. The spa, located in downtown Newton on the courthouse square, has a massage therapist and a boutique open in suites inside the spa building within the past year. (Jason W)

The economy of the City of Newton, like any other small Midwestern town, must constantly adapt to conditions to survive. This includes bringing in new businesses.

Renewable and traditional energy industries, farming and light manufacturing drive Newton now, population hasn’t drastically changed since the closing of Maytag in 2007.

Newton was announced as a Main Street Iowa community in February of 2014. Since the announcement, which allows a specified area around downtown to receive social and economic help in the form of a vision for the downtown area, complete with standard appearances and a mission.

The boundary of the Main Street-designated area is somewhat jagged, but all the businesses in it are between West Fourth and East Fourth streets and between North Third Avenue and South Second Avenue. A business district, with stricter constraints, was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The downtown area has several financial-industry businesses and the Captiol II Theatre that have anchored the area for decades, along with some stores that have established themselves as mainstays along the way. The Farmer’s Wife and Choices Book Store are two examples that were started in Newton in the early 2000s.

Here are some of the businesses that have opened within the past year in the Main Street district:

Boost Mobile, 208 First Avenue West: A sales outlet for mobile phones and other devices.

Bun in the Oven, 108 W. Third St. S.: Fresh baked goods, a place for a few small groups to eat lunch and a small boutique of crafts and childrens clothes.

Chosen Path Resources, 112 N. Second Ave. W., lower level, inside the Aleya Salon Suites and Day Spa: Reiki energy therapy; relaxation techniques.

Fresh Start E-Cigs & Vapors, 116 First Ave. E.: Electronic cigarettes with organic juices; intended as stop-smoking aids for people age 18 or older.

Jan’s Yarn Barn, 326 First Ave. W.: Yarn, related craft supplies and events.

Jasper County Abstract, 201 First St. S.: Abstracts, titles, certificates.

Moo’s BBQ, 103 W. Second St. N.: Barbecue sandwiches and other dishes, dine-in or carry-out.

One Man’s Junk, 118 First Ave. E.: Antiques and used goods.

Ooh La La Boutique, 112 N. Second Ave.W., front suite and Suite 9, inside the Aleya Salon Suites and Day Spa: Women’s apparel and accessories.

Stacy’s Sweetstuff: 208 1/2 First Ave. W. Specialty dessert bakery.

Relics Antiques, 115 W. Second St. N.: Decorative and practical antiques, toys and more.

Newton Hypnosis Center, 201 First Ave. W., Hypnosis services.

Artist Junkie: 225 1/2 First Ave. Wes, second floor, above eClips hair salon: Art and more.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com

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