Clements Law & Mediation— Newton
Owner Dusty Clements opened Clements Law & Mediation in September at 209 N. Second Ave. W. Clements is working in family law and juvenile law along with building a successful mediation practice.
Along with family and juvenile law and mediation, Clements also provides services in criminal defense, real estate and estate planning and probate. She is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Central Iowa Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Certified Family Law Mediator and is Certified in Collaborative Law.
Atmosphere Vapors — Newton
Located at 118 First Ave. E., Atmosphere Vapors offers more than 50 premium e-juice flavors, which have been sold at the store’s second established location in Grinnell since the end of August.
Since adding the second location in Newton, owner Travis Puls said things have been going really well. He said he is working to keep his prices consistent and competitive with Des Moines vapor shops.
Atmosphere Vapors’ hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
New Beginnings Chiropractic — Newton
A key goal for New Beginnings Chiropractic owner Kalyn Borts is to promote health and wellness through unique chiropractic care for families in the community. Borts opened New Beginnings in February at 207 First Ave. W.
Borts, of Colfax, said Jasper County and Newton has always felt like home, so it wasn’t a surprise when she decided to plant her business’s roots in the heart of Newton. Her practice offers an initial exam with the focus being on the nervous system.
Talking Crow Treasures — Newton
A knack for searching for popular items at various auctions and flea markets brought three treasure hunters together to open Talking Crow Treasures. Owners Deb Knapp, Kendra Rhoads and Jo Huff can be found at their shop, located at 211 N. Second Ave. W., adding their latest treasures for customers to choose from.
Knapp said items that catch her eye the most are old toys, antique books, autographed items, Disneyland characters and World War II items. She said they are also willing to look for specific items requested by customers.
Items can also be found at www.talkingcrowstreasures.com.
Burrito Torpedo — Newton
The flavors are hot inside Burrito Torpedo, the newest restaurant in downtown Newton. Opened in December, Burrito Torpedo offers Mexican-style favorites in torpedo-fast time.
Owner Ray Alehy decided to open the business when he saw the empty store front in downtown following Moo’s BBQ’s move. He originally planned to open a franchise location but because of building restriction, pivoted to opening his own burrito business.
The menu consists of several Mexican favorites including burritos, tacos and nachos along with salads and kids meals. Customers are able to build their own burritos from a choice of pork, chicken, a Mexican-style meat and, coming soon, steak along with a variety of vegetables and other toppings.
CJ’s Bar & Grill — Monroe
Carolyn Daniels opened CJ’s Bar & Grill Sept. 1 in the former Monroe American Legion, located at 105 E. Marion St. The Legion decided to lease the bar after operating at that location since 1918.
Daniels, and 18-year Monroe resident, has brought a taste of the east coast to Iowa, with influence from foods she experienced 800 miles away in her hometown of Albion, N.Y.
Since opening for business, the eating establishment has attracted residents from all over the area. With variety of items on the menu, including hand-press burgers, wings with made-from-scratch sauce and pasta with homemade sauce, Daniels and her family take pride in serving its patrons authentic, hand-crafted East Coast cuisine.
MG Masonry, Inc. — Monroe
Malloree Grove is continuing the family business, just two years out of college opening MG Masonry, Inc. in Monroe. Doing mostly commercial work, the company specializes in brick and block. Whether it is working on schools, jails or retail stores, MG can provide masonry needs of any kind.
Brick laying is in the Grove family’s blood. Malloree’s father started his own company, Grove Masonry years prior, and she told the Prairie City News in September she wanted to keep the family tradition.
“I really like it. Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t,” she said.
Stampede Bar & Grill — Prairie City
Todd Fiechter purchased the former UpTown Restaurant and Lounge on Prairie City’s downtown square from Jeff and Shelley Brouwer in May and reopened one month later as Stampede.
The restaurant had been on the market since November 2015, when the Brouwers decided to move closer to their eldest son and daughter-in-law. UpTown was originally opened as Happy Endings in 2007, by Jeff Brouwer’s parents John and Janice Brouwer.
After three weeks of construction, Fiechter invested roughly $9,000 in Stampede. He painted walls, added a wood-tile dance floor, remodeled the bathrooms, added granite table tops and Bison/Mustang wall decor in the dining rooms.
But what he’s most proud of was what he found underneath the walls. Fiechter and a small team of his buddies removed the old wood paneling of UpTown, restored and exposed the building’s brick.
With the brand Stampede, Fiechter wants to keep the theme of Mustang and the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in the forefront. This is also reflected in restaurant’s menu which leads with a Smokey Bison Burger. Stampede’s new offerings also include steak night on Wednesdays, a Friday night fish fry, and a self-proclaimed “best lasagna in the whole world.” Fiechter will also serve hot roast beef sandwiches daily and has his own Taco Tuesday.
Stampede is also partnering with neighboring Wilkie’s Bar and Grill to provide beer gardens to events such as the upcoming May 20 Prairie City Bike Night and Prairie Days.
Poppy’s — Colfax
A remodeled Poppy’s reopened in Colfax in October. Dino and Virginia Kostes are again catering to their loyal customer base with a return to form after they briefly sold their 30-plus-year business on North Walnut Street.
After the closure of No. 8 Bar and Grill, the Kostes revived Poppy’s old menu items and adding new dishes. But they are disappointed No. 8 didn’t work out for Colfax, and for what they see as an inconvenience of the restaurant’s brief closure.
The Kostes sold Poppy’s Restaurant on contract to brothers Mathew and Michael Petersen of Ankeny, in December. It became No. 8 Bar and Grill, but with a limited menu and higher prices the restaurant closed its doors by Aug. 12 and on Aug. 23, the keys were back in Dino and Virginia’s hands.
Benzer Pharmacy — Colfax
After 110-years in operation, Colfax family pharmacy Weirick’s Drug Store was sold in September to Benzer Pharmacy, Inc.
Benzer Pharmacy owners Alpesh Patel and Manish Patel opened Benzer’s first location in Michigan in 2009. Since that time, the company has grown to roughly 60 pharmacies in 10 states. The Weirick’s acquisition was Benzer’s first brick and mortar location in Iowa.
Weirick’s celebrated its 110th year as a single family-owned pharmacy in 2016. It was founded by H.A. Weirick in 1906. Fourth generation owner Brenda Weirick’s grandfather George S. Weirick took over the pharmacy in 1928, Brenda’s father George T. Weirick took ownership in 1948.
The new owners kept on the Weirick’s staff and are continuing to operate the pharmacy’s iconic soda fountain.