Progress - Business and Industry

PROGRESS UPDATEBUSINESS & INDUSTRY

2012

March 24, 2012 • Volume 2

The Valley News • Saturday, March 24, 2012PAGE2C

Advanced

Laparoscopic Surgery

When you need surgery, you want to get back to business as soon as

possible. At Shenandoah Medical Center, Dr. Ray and our surgery

team provide the most advanced laparocopic techniques and the

expert care you need to keep things running smoothly.

Laparoscopic SurgeryHernia Repair - all typesGallbladder SurgeryAppendectomyColon & Bowel SurgeryAcid Reflux Surgery

Other ProceduresColonoscopyUpper EndoscopyCarpel Tunnel SurgeryBreast SurgeryUlcer & Hemorrhoid Surgery

Dr. Subir Ray MD, FACS

Generall Surgery

712-246-7486300 Park AvenueShenandoah, IA

UNITED FARMERSMERCANTILE COOP

LUMBER & HARDWARE203 West Oak

Red Oak, Iowa 51566712-623-2575

120328-43245

120328-44118

712.246.1311bankiowabanks.comMemberr FDIC

Our company’smission is tooperate progressivebanks in viable Iowacommunities. Eachbank will serve itscommunity by beinga leader insupporting issueswhich improveeconomic growthand quality of life inthe community.Drawing upon thestrengths of ourcompany, we willoffer high qualitybanking productsand services.

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By TESS GRUBER NELSONManaging Editor

Despite the rough econo-my in 2011-12, there arequite a few large buildingprojects going on within thecity limits of Shenandoah.

And although the numer-ous construction undertak-ings are surprising to some,they aren’t to ShenandoahChamber and IndustryAssociation ExecutiveDirector Gregg Connell.

“I think that a lot of it isthtat Shenandoah is a com-munity people are willing toinvest in,” said Connell.“People believe in this com-munity and I think that is atribute to 140-years ofShenandoah beating theodds. This is the communi-

ty that refuses the accept thestatus quo and one thatrefuses to give up.”

Expansion projects goingon around town includeEmmanuel LutheranChurch, Shenandoah PublicLibrary, Forest Park Manor,Shenandoah City Hall,Shenandoah schoolssafe/wrestling room, andthe Shenandoah RegionalAirport.

New business construc-tion sites include theWalmart Supercenter,Windsor Manor AssistedLiving and a $5 millionBioProcess Algae/GreenPlains Renewable EnergyPhase 3 algae farm.

A $2.3 million renovationand expansion took placelast year on the Shenandoah

National Guard Armory, anew Subway restaurant andMaMa D’s Barbeque wasconstructed, and El PortalMexican Restaurantexpanded.

“This community has anincredible sense of placeand Shenandoah tends tosell itself,” Connell. “Whenyou tell people we are acommunity of 5,100, peopledon’t believe it.”

Connell said in these dif-ficult economic times, sometowns tend to do nothing,but not Shenandoah.

“It’s business as usual inShenandoah,” said Connell.“In the face of this tougheconomy, it’s nice to see.We’re certainly glad aboutit.”

Shenandoah’s boomingdespite tough economy

WWW.VALLEYNEWSTODAY.COM

EXPANSION...One of the construction sites in Shenandoah is at the Shenandoah Public Library.

The Valley News • Saturday, March 24, 2012 PAGE3C

PENN DRUG CO.

714 Illinois • Sidney, IA712-374-2513712-374-2513

since 1863

Complete Pharmacy ServiceOld Fashioned Soda Fountain

Cards & Gifts Phone: 712-625-2201Toll Free: 888-625-2201

Fax: 712-625-2081www.tri-valleycenters.com

MEMBER FDIC

Tri Valley BankRandolph Banking Center

Tabor Manor Care Center, Inc.

712-629-2645209 Main Street • Tabor, IA 51653

Skilled Nursing • Outpatient • Rehab(Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy)

24-Hour Professional Nursing

Medicaid/Medicare CertifiedRespite Care Available • Specialized Diets • Activities

[email protected]. Iowa’s Stand-Alone, Non-Corporate Facility

Owned & Operated By The Same Local Family For 50+ Years

MADSEN INTERNATIONAL

1308 W Ferguson Rd, Shenandoah, IA712-246-1187 • 800-829-0603

www.madsenintl.com813 Church StreetShenandoah, IA 51601

Phone: (712) 246-5954Fax#: (712) 246-3269

MILLENNIUMCHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

Dr. Jeffrey P. McCoyDr. Matthew P. Potratz

808 Central Avenue Nebraska City • 402-873-1158

400 Clay StreetSidney, Iowa • 712-374-2023

You Get More at

MMORELANDORELANDFFURNITUREURNITURE*

Kirsch Funeral Chapel

405 WEST THOMAS, SHENANDOAH712-246-2526 • 877-546-2526

www.kirschfuneral.com

Providing Service to all of Southwest Iowa Michael Kirsch

4124 Airport Road, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601Phone: 712.246.2932 • www.gpreinc.com

Visit us online at Visit us online at wwwwww.hawkeyeford.com.hawkeyeford.com

Hwy. 34, East of Red Oak, Iowa Toll-free (866) 623-5147 • (712) 623-5147

Open til 7pm Monday thru Saturday • After 7pm by appointment

Southwest Iowa’s Hometown Ford Dealer

If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we’ll sure try to find it for you!

City National Bank

116 S. Blossom Shenandoah, IA712-246-2205

www.cnbshen.com

A Bank Firmly Rooted in Your Community Full ServiceIndependent Agent

First Express Insurance

800 Illinois, Sidney, Iowa712-374-2645 • 800-245-2645

[email protected]

Crop Insurance SpecialistFarm • Life • Health

Auto • Home • Business

Ross Silcock, CICMike Payne, Agent • Todd Benton, Agent

Do you or a loved one needSkilled Care, Nursing

Home or Rehab services?

You have the Choice.

Tell your physician or hospital discharge

planner thatYou Choose Garden View.

It is your choice!

GARDEN VIEW CARE CENTER1200 W. Nishna Road • Shenandoah, IA 51601

712-246-4515http://www.hcminc.com/facilities/gardenview

We Offer Skilled Care under the Medicare Plan.

We Welcome All Persons in Need of Our Services

By JASON GLENNStaff Writer

When Highway 2 reopened followinglast summer’s historic floods, the SappBrothers Travel Plaza was caught a bitunprepared. But it wasn’t clean up andwater removal that had the popular truck-ers’ and travelers’ way station scrambling toopen their doors - managers and employeeshad been keeping up with that throughoutthe inundation - it was an extensive remod-eling campaign that had been in the worksfor months before.

“We had plans for remodeling, wethought with Highway 2 being in the shapeit was it might be a little longer before thatroad would reopen,” said General ManagerBrad Buckingham. “But as long as wecould get the contractors and everybody inhere, we’d start to do the building expan-sion right away. It’s over with now and it’sa bigger, brighter, newer looking facility.”

The travel plaza reopened not long after

the road did in October, but work was ongo-ing on an extensive upgrade of the popularApple Barrel restaurant through February.With updated décor dedicated to local highschools, a new large private meeting roomwith a 9-foot projection TV that can handleanything from birthday slideshows to busi-ness presentations, four new women’s restrooms with heated toilet seats and a greatlyexpanded line of retail offerings from purs-es to tools to go karts, Buckingham saidsales are up in every category

“The traffic flow is higher, business isgrowing and we feel really good about thefuture of this corner and we continue toinvest in it,” Buckingham said.

Weathering the storm took a lot of workand a lot of dedication on the part of thecompany and its employees, Buckinghamsaid. While the waters were up, they boatedin three times a week to run the air condi-tioning and pumps to fight off rainwateraccumulating inside the protective bermsand moisture that could cause mildew in the

buildings. Being part of a small chain oftravel centers, they were also able to getsome help from their sister stores, whichhelped them hang on to their most preciousasset – their employees.

“We were blessed in that we hadresources to help us, with other facilitiesthat could help remove inventory, help getin and get products out. One of our mostvaluable products is our own help. To makesure that we retained as much help as possi-ble, we provided job and transportation orgas reimbursement to those that wanted tocontinue working and travel to our loca-tions in Omaha or Lincoln,” Buckinghamsaid.

For those employees that couldn’t workat the other locations, Buckingham said thecompany continued to provide health insur-ance and even supplemented their unem-ployment checks to approximate a workingwage.

Beyond their own situation, SappBrothers reached out to their Highway 2

neighbors who weren’t as fortunate to gainregular access during the flood,Buckingham said, running pumps at theirbusinesses to help fight the tide. He said itwas just a natural part of trying to preservewhat was best for everyone.

“You have your neighborhoods whereyou take care of each other,” he said. “Wejust felt like it was the right thing to do.”

Doing the right thing, and being pre-pared, kept Sapp Brothers from going underwhen the river ran over and now the oasispopular with locals and visitors alike is bet-ter than ever. Buckingham said it’s simply areflection of the priorities they’ve alwaysmaintained, none more so than makingguests feel as comfortable as if they were athome.

“It just shows we take a lot of pride in thecleanliness and the friendliness of our serv-ices,” he said. “We even have a sign on thefront of the building stating that we have thecleanest restrooms on Interstate 29.”

Sapp Brothers stronger than ever after floodDEDICATION... It’s hard to tell that mst of this area was under water nine months ago. TOUGH...It was a tough road, but Sapp Bros has reopened after massive flooding.


Pella Corporation is proud to partner with the community of Shenandoah.

Pella’s dedication to quality, craftsmanship and servicehas made us a leader in the window and door

industry for more than 85 years.

PO Box 68, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601712.246.3954 • 712.246.1689

[email protected] • prairiecreations.com 1203

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Pleasecall for hours

Now on display at 708 W. Lowell - Shenandoah“ORIGINAL HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY”

Unique One of a Kind Jewelry~ Custom Designs WelcomePRICELESS

PRINTS®

Featuring

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• Ride & Drive Demo Days

• Fish Days

• Spring Plants

• Fencing Supplies

• Chemicals

• Sprayers

27 Y27 Years of Professional Lawncareears of Professional Lawncare

5 step program for fertilization, weed and insect control.

Bluegrass sod sales and installation

Seeding and Aeration

Irrigation systems installed

Talprid - mole irradication

Invisible pet fences

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Serving all of SW Iowa & NW Missouri

“Let our experts build you a plan for a better looking lawn.”

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Gowing Plumbing & Heating1210 West Sheridan • Shenandoah

712-246-1803

Thank Youfor your Business

For over 50 years,our customers have turned

to us for professional,licensed services.

An Extra Spirit of CareSome people describe Fair Oaks Residential Care Center as neighbors taking care of neighbors. We provide peace ofmind with an extra touch of friendship along with nutritious meals, rehabilitation therapy, security and activities.

If you need some help with daily living, Fair Oaks Residential Care Center offers a hand with dressing, bathing and taking medicine, plus providing delicious hot meals, activities, transportation and a caring community. Call JoElla Travisfor a tour.

1203

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The assistance you need, the freedom you want.

FAIR OAKSRESIDENTIAL CARE CENTER1201 South Walnut Street • Shenandoah, Iowa 51601

Immediate Openings Available

712-246-2055E.O.E.


In order to obtain commercial laundryservice in Fremont, Page, Montgomery, orMills County, one used to have to hire abusiness out of Omaha, Saint Joseph orLincoln.

However, with the opening of NishnaProductions Inc. Laundry Service in RedOak, clean linens, rags and uniforms areonly a few miles away.

Located at 210 South Broadway in RedOak, in the organization’s new vocationalcenter which opened March 16, NPILaundry will come pick up your commer-cial laundry, take it back to their facility,clean and press it, and deliver the itemsquickly, and professionally back to yourbusiness.

Sherri Clark, executive director of NPI,explained the idea of having a commerciallaundry service first came about seven oreight years ago.

The facility will begin by offering servic-es relating to floor mats, shop rags, andhotel and restaurant linens, but will gradu-ally move to uniforms.

“The uniforms take a little more expertise- as far as buying and managing the inven-tory,” explained Monica Bartlett, NPI direc-tor of organizational employment.

NPI Laundry service will be availablewithin four to six months. Officials with theorganization are currently getting bids onequipment.

“In the scope of the project in Red Oak,the purchase of the laundry equipment waskind of put on hold because we were busyto try to raise money to pay for the building(new vocational center) itself,” said Clark.“We’ll purchase what we need to get start-ed and then as we grow we’ll add to it.”

Eventually, Clark said it will be a state-of-the-art laundry facility in the way it is setup.

The laundry will be housed at the newvocational skills training center, which willalso house everything else they do voca-tionally including the can redemption cen-ter, and the work floor where contract work

is done for area business.“The front portion of the building is actu-

ally dedicated to the laundry,” said Bartlett. The new vocational center, explained

Clark, has more than enough room toaccommodate the laundry and vocationalfacilities.

“The new building is 16,200 square feetand is attached to an existing storage build-ing that is 2,500 square-feet,” said Clark.

Clark said the reason behind the newvocational facility is because they simplyoutgrew where they were. Additionally, thenew business is more assessable for clientsand clientele.

“We wanted to go to a location where wehad a loading dock and be more assessablefor everybody,” said Clark.

“It also allows us to have everythingunder one roof,” added Bartlett.

In addition to the laundry service, NPIhas a can redemption center; SavingsCentral, a retail store; shaved ice business,document destruction, custodial services,soup and sandwich shop, as well as contractwork with Lloyd Inc., NSK/AKS, Pella,Eaton, Parker-Hannifan.

Clark said the approximately 200 clientsget value from working, whether it’s serv-ing food, sweeping floors, or washing uni-forms.

“There’s value in working,” Clark said.“It makes them feel as though they are con-tributing.”

Although NPI serves the counties ofMills, Montgomery, Page, and Fremont,they said they’d be willing to offer theircommercial laundry services to those out-side the four-county area.

“The laundry will provide an array ofjobs for people with all levels of skills,”said Clark. “Our goal is that this commer-cial laundry will generate excess revenuethat we can turn back into supportingagency operations to kind of make up forwhere our funding sources can’t keep up.”

If interested in hiring NPI LaundryService, or any other NPI business, contactNPI Business Developer Dana Crouse at623-4362 or Bartlet at 246-1242.

Commercial laundry service beingstarted by Nishna Productions, Inc.

DIRTY LAUNDRY...Nishna Productions new facility in Red Oak will house the laundry service.


If it’s true that no two people have thesame fingerprint, then it’s safe to say notwo of Deb Nester’s fingerprint pendantsare the same.

It was in 2003, when Shenandoah resi-dent Nester started making jewelry whileliving in western Nebraska. She named thecompany, Prairie Creations. A few yearslater, she began working with PreciousMetal Clay and created Priceless Prints, theoriginal fingerprint pendant.

In those nine years, Nester has sold morethan 16,000 fingerprints to people all overthe world in either .999 fine silver or 22karat gold.

“It has grown tremendously,” said Nester.“I never ever thought it would do so well.Business is good and I’m even trying togrow even more.”

In fact, Nester has more than 60 retailers,from British Columbia, to Tennessee toTexas. On top of that, her prints have beenfeatured on actress Gwyneth Paltrow’sGOOP website and in Sky Mall magazine,as well as been included in Jewels &Pinstripes Celebrity Gift Bags. Mostrecently, Nester has become a member ofthe International Cemetery, Cremation andFuneral Association and Pet LossProfessionals Alliance member.

“What sets my product apart from similarproducts out there - mine is the actual thing

Nester’s fingerprint pendantsare indeed priceless prints

TALENT... Deb Nester is truly talented when it comes to handcrafted jewelry.

see NESTER, Page 5C

NESTERContinued from Page 4C

the person touches. A lot ofsimilar products use a mold,but mine is not a reproduc-tion,” said Nester.

Nester said her finger-prints are a personal way towelcome a newborn baby,remember a loved one, doc-ument the bond of sister-hood, or even a way to cap-

ture the nose of a furrycompanion.

“There’s a connectionthere (with the prints),” saidNester.

In March 2011, Nesteradded a production facilityat 708 West Lowell inShenandoah and hiredShirley Boyer, in additionto Jenny Fasbender, to helpwith the numerous cus-tomer orders.

In addition to fingerprintpendants, Nester createsexquisite handcrafted neck-laces, bracelets, and ear-rings of all colors, shapesand sizes.

On top of that, she alsosells Art by Aimee, whichincludes witty charms forbracelets and necklaces andbobbles.

“It’s different from any-thing anybody else has

around here,” Nester said. Most recently, Nester has

added trimmings to the fin-gerprint pendants, such asSwarovski crystals repre-senting birthstones. On topof that, she has designed acremains vile pendant forcremated remains and glasslockets to incase a finger-print, photo, or lock of hair.

For more information onPriceless Prints or PrairieCreations, visitwww.prairiecreations.com.

Nester said the produc-tion studio is also open forbusiness, however, hoursvary.

“Whenever the blinds areup on the door, Shirley’shere and they are welcometo come in and shop,”Nester said.

“Deb has a heart of gold,”said Boyer. “She gets per-sonal with the customers.There’s a lot of heart in thebusiness.”


120328-44247

Midwest Sports Power Nebraska City Exit 10 • Interstate 29 & Highway 2

2503 210th Avenue • Percival, Iowa(712) 382-1445 • www.midwestsportspower.com

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 5:00 pm• Saturday: 8 am - Noon • Closed Sunday

Boating is Family FunBoating is Family Fun

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5615801 S. Fremont, Shenandoah, Iowa • 712.246.5118

612 Hartford, Farragut, Iowa • 712.385.8127

“Committed to community service, meeting the needs of our customers and

exceptional personal service.”

FIRSTHERITAGE

BANK

www.unitedgroupia.com • www.fremont-page.com 120328-44201

UNITED GROUP REAL ESTATEWhether you are buying or selling,

Let US work for YOU!

• Residential

• Acreages

• Farm

• Commercial

• Licensed in IowaJoan Schebaum

712-215-1955Howard Killion

712-246-81421206 West Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 • Phone: 712-246-4200 or 800-467-5426

204 South Broadway, Red Oak, Iowa 51566 • Phone: 712-623-5555 or 800-315-5556

712 Main St.Hamburg, Iowa

712-382-2551

SStonerr DrugPrescriptions | Over-the-counter solutions

Household products | Personal care

Gifts | Snacks

Easter Baskets are Here!Order Early!

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5522800 West Ferguson Road

712-246-3009www.wabashwinecompany.com

Easter Baskets are Here!Order Early!

620 W. Sheridan Avenue • Shenandoah, IA 51601Phone: 712-246-3000 • shenandoahinnandsuites.com

Family owned and operated, Shenandoah Inn & Suites offers comfortable, stylish rooms for

business travelers, families and anyone looking for a place to stay.

Owners Paul and Percilla Lattin have spentmore than 25 years in the hotel industry and

have built this hotel with guests’ needs in mind.

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• 42 Rooms• Fitness Room• Elevator

Hotel Details• Business Center with Computer• Wireless Internet Access• Wired Internet Access

INN & SUITES

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Proud to callSouthwest Iowa our Home


For Thurman’s Eric Johnson, working with steel hadbecome a good-paying, but uninspired, profession. Woodwas his real passion.

After building a career as a certified pipe fitter and welderworking on oil refineries and power plants across the cen-tral U.S., all the while picking up more soul-satisfying sideprojects in custom woodworking, last year Johnson wentfull bore and opened Plum Creek Sawmill. Offering millingservices on all manner of fine woods as well as his own one-of-a-kind benches and chainsaw sculptures, Johnson hasturned his lifelong avocation into a growing small business.

“As far as the wood aspect goes, I’ve kind of been toolingaround with it all of my life,” he said. “My great-grandpataught me a lot of things, watching him carve all the timeand make stuff. I guess it’s just one of those things I wasborn with.”

Working steel, where you can weld over and grind outyour mistakes, had lost its appeal, Johnson said. He wanted

the challenge of knowing that if you don’t “measure twice,cut once” there’s no do-over.

Whether he’s milling custom decking for a semi trailerhand shaping an oak bench that will likely outlive its owneror painstakingly, ear-achingly shaving and nicking away acustom chainsaw creation, Johnson said he is driven by theidea that people want something totally original.

“Each and every one of them is unique. There are neverany two of them that are absolutely identical and that’s theway I want it,” he said.

While he came by his love of woodworking and skillsomewhat naturally, Johnson said he honed his creativeinstincts through the irregularities he would find in his day-to-day work with metal.

“A lot of that stuff was fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants,” hesaid. “You may have a blueprint in front of you but it maynot be right, so you had to be able to improvise, adapt andovercome to get the job done.”

Some of Johnson’s regular customers now include JimHawk Trucking and a slew of private owner-operator truck-ers who purchase custom-milled, high quality decking fortheir trailers and Midwest Woodworkers, a woodcraft tooland supply retailer in Omaha. He has also started doingbrisk business among the general public in his carvings andsculptures and recently finalized the purchase of a lot inThurman where he one day hopes to build a retail store-

front.Though his sawmill is attached to a portable trailer and he

will, if the job is big enough, take it on the road, Johnsonsaid he mainly works in Thurman, where two of his numer-ous stacks of sorted logs are located.

Having made it through a difficult year for a start-up,with the floods of last summer limiting his ability to get outand grow the business at a faster clip, Johnson said it’s reas-suring to know there is a strong market, in all income brack-ets, for his range of products. The next stage for Plum CreekSawmill, though, is an ambitious one where Johnson envi-sions taking what he calls “rustic contemporary” furnitureto a whole new level of craftsmanship. With the focus, asalways, on creating something absolutely original.

“I’m wanting to grow into bigger and better things, wherea single table can sell for $10,000 to $15,000 and I’ll sit onit for a year and not have any quarrels about it because Iknow there’ll be that one customer, whether it’s inCalifornia or Washington State or Texas or wherever that’llwant that table because it will be a unique, one-of-a-kindpiece,” he said.

SAWMILL... Eric Johnson, owner of Plum Creek Sawmill, standbeside one of his custom creations.

WOOD...Eric Johnson is the owner of Plum Creek Sawmill in rural Thurman.

SELECTMOTORS1212 W. Sheridan Avenue

Shenandoah, Iowa712-246-4268 • 800-873-8580

www.selectmotors1.com

Plum Creek Sawmill - Thurman

TALENT... Deb Nester is trulytalented when it comes tohandcrafted jewelry.


Gee Building Systems1890 Hwy 59 North, Shenandoah, IA • 712-246-2444 • 800-727-4859 • [email protected]

• Local Builders

• Exceptional Engineering

• The Best Crews

• High Quality Lumber

• Durable Steel and Paint

• Extensive Warranty and Service

Machine Cold Storage, Machine Shops, Horse Barns & Arenas, Multi Product

1203

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Congratulations to Bashaw Farms

AWARD WINNING!!2011 Cold Storage Building of the Year

Proud to Serve SW Iowa For Over 17 Years

1107 West Ferguson RoadShenandoah, Iowa

Open Saturdays until 4:00pm

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712-246-5555

We have thousands of items to serve YOU better. Come check out what we have to offer!

• Full line of hardware

• Plumbing supplies

• Electrical supplies

• Free local delivery

• Free 3D computerized kitchen design

• Free Estimates

• Computerized paint color match

Our team of building pros is here to help you with your home improvement projects - large or small

Gift Cards

Available

612 W. Sheridan, Shenandoah • 712-246-2635Hrs: Mon.-Sat. 8:30 am - 5:30 pm • Visit us online at: www.jaydrug.com

• Old Fashioned Ice Cream Sodas• Cherry and Vanilla Cokes• Phosphates, Malts

Old FashionedSoda Fountain

GEORGE JAy DRUG CO.Dependable Druggists

Jay’s Gold Crown Hallmark Shoppe

• Collectibles • Gifts, Cards • Home Decor

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• Diabetic Supplies• Complete Pharmacy Services• Medical Supplies• Vitamins & Supplements• Free delivery in Farragut, Essex,

Shenandoah, & Imogene

Serving DowntownShenandoah Since 1888


Despite the flood last summerthat made Highway 2 impassable toNebraska City, our Nebraska neigh-bors to the west had 11 new busi-nesses open, just in the downtowndistrict alone on 2011.

Rebecca Turner, executive direc-tor of Nebraska City tourism andcommerce and Nebraska CityMainstreet Program, said NebraskaCity had a great year for businessexpansion and new business withintheir community.

“I think a lot of it is timing. Therehave been a lot of people dedicatedto revitalizing our downtown dis-trict for years,” said Turner. “I’d saythe past seven or eight we’veworked on addressing some curbappeal issues, doing some rehabili-tation of some properties – andeventually people began to see it asan environment where a new busi-nesses can take hold.”

What a Girl Wants, is a girly bou-tique specializing in scrapbookingsupplies, accessories, and formalwear including prom and weddingdresses.

“We’re excited about that shop inparticular because for the past cou-ple years we’ve been working onbuilding the destination weddingmarket because regionally, we are agreat hub for that,” said Turner.

Moreland Furniture, whose orig-inal location is in Sidney, openedup a second retail space across theriver, as well as Modern HearingSolutions.

“We like to have a good mix oftraditional retail as well as servicebusinesses,” said Turner.

Other new business are, FromLatin to Satin, a dance and fitnessstore, Tiny Tots Tumbling, GuiltyPleasures Salon and Spa, andRevelations, which carries a lot ofart and Nebraska City merchandisesaid Turner.

Bring it On Antiques, a reincar-nation of an old store, NebraskaCity Flooring, and Blums CustomFrames and Gifts are also newstores Turner said.

“One really significant expansionwas Janie’s Confections, which was

a cookie and truffle store. Theydecided to get into the coffee shopbusiness, so they purchased theproperty next door and opened acoffee shop. Then, when shemoved, a woman in town who doescustom cakes, purchased Janie’sold building next door.”

Turner added there were a coupleother new businesses, not in down-town that also opened last year,such as Fareway Grocery Store.

“When the flood hit, it was agood reminder of how much trafficwe get from Iowa – especiallyHamburg and Percival. It was goodfor us to take note of that,” Turnersaid. “However, for the downtownstore, I think most of our traffic iscoming from Lincoln and Omaha.”

In addition to the new businesses,the movie theatre, The Fort WesternWear, and Walmart bring people totown.

“We also have great eateries, likeParkers Barbeque, which has beena wonderful addition.

Unknown to some people, Turnersaid Nebraska City has numeroustouristy places to see like ArborLodge State Historical Park, ArborDay Farm Tree Adventure, KimmelOrchard, Mayhew Cabin with JohnBrown’s Cave, Missouri RiverBasin Lewis and Clark Center,Nebraska City Museum of FireFighting, Civil War Museum, OldFreighters Museum, River CountyNature Center, Wildwood HistoricHome, and a new museum openingthis year called the KregelWindmill Museum.

“Nebraska City had a windmillfactory, which closed in 1939. Itwas basically preserved in tact, as ifthe factory workers were just toldthey were closing for a short periodof time. Work gloves and toolswere laid down exactly where theywere – it is so cool,” Turner said.“It’s a perfect fit for our communi-ty.”

With numerous shops, severaldelectable eateries, and more than10 museums, Nebraska City wouldmake a great weekend destination,especially with high gas pricesTurner suggested

“It’s a fun getaway that conve-niently close.”

Eleven new businessesopen in NebraskaCity’s downtown in2011-12, despite flood

NEW... Revelations is just one of the new businesses that opened in downtown Nebraska City last year.

BUSY... Downtown Nebraska City saw numerous businesses open last year, despite the flood.


SAPP BROS. TRAVEL CENTERPercival, Iowa • Junction of I-29 and Highway 2

120328-44211

We Promise You the Cleanest Restrooms on I-29

• Four New Ladies Rooms

• Heated Seats

Open24 Hours

Larger Retail Store• More Selection

All New Dining Area• Expanded soup & salad bar

• Fresh fruit

• All your favorites still on the menu

All New Party Room!• Great for Business Meetings

& Family Gatherings

• Seats 50 People

• Large 9 Foot Projection T.V.

FREEWiFi

We’re Back! And Better Than Ever!!Come Visit the Newly Remodeled & Expanded Travel Center

The mission of Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association is to improve the economic vitality of the Shenandoah area, to expand high paying employment opportunities, enhance Shenandoah's retailshopping, and to support major community projects that improve our quality of life.

Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association100 S. Maple, Shenandoah • 712-246-3455 • www.shenandoahiowa.net 12

0328

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City with Energy

Audiological Servies, Inc.Alliance GasAmerican Legion Country ClubAntique AlleyAngel Care Home HealthAnchor PaintingAesthetic & Family DentistryAdvanced Restoration ServicesAg Pro/CHSBank IowaBarnwood Frames & More Beecher, Inc.BioProcess AlgaeBrown’s Shoe Fit Brown’s General OfficeCasey’s General StoresChat Mobility/Radio ShackCenex – RocStopCentral SurveysCity National BankCity National Bank Investment Ctr.City of ShenandoahClinton L Allen MonumentsCommunity ConnectionsCouncil Office & DocumentCountry TireCrain Construction

Depot DeliDesign OriginalsDonut StopDon’s JohnsEarl May Garden CenterEaton Corp.Edward Jones InvestmentsEl Portal Mexican RestaurantEyecare Associates of Southwest

Iowa The EmporiumFarewayFair Oaks Assisted LivingFirst National BankGarden View Care CenterGary Gee, AttorneyGavilon Grain Get Framed George Jay DrugGeneration Music Godfather’s PizzaGoracke Professional GroupGowing PlumbingGreat Western BankGreen Plains ShenandoahHackett Livingston Funeral HomeHansen Jewelry

Help @ HomeHoward Clothing & Sporting

GoodsHy-Vee Food Store, Wine &Spirits & PharmacyInter-Tech CollisionIowa Western Community CollegeIowa Workforce DevelopmentJ.B. Parts & Supply— NAPAJim Hughes Real EstateJohnson Tire Co.John Gowing Plumbing & HeatingJoyce Ellen’s on MainJ & R FurnitureJ & R ExcavationKCSI RadioKidd EnterprisesKriegler Office SupplyKris’s ConnectionsKirchert ElectricKirsch Funeral ServicesKMA RadioKum & GoLadies Apparel ShopLee’s TrophiesLegacy 3 TheatersLittle Waite Lanes

Lloyd Inc.Long View EstatesMadsen InternationalMae Farmer BoutiqueManpowerMcDonald’sMcIntyre Real EstateMcNeilly Garage Door Service

& Gee Bldgs.McQueen Carpet CleaningMediaComMicky G’s Clothing Co.MidAmerican Energy Co.Miller Building SupplyMiller, Shearer, LashierMondo’s RestaurantM’s Casual Fine DiningMcQueen Carpet CleaningNebel ConstructionNebraska Medical CenterNew Horizons RoofingNew York Life Ins.Nishna Valley CaféNishna ProductionsO’Hara Seed Inc.Orscheln Farm & HomePella Corp.

Paper TrailPerforming Arts & Education

Assoc. of SWIPrairie CreationsProfessional Associates, Ltd.Rawson Stevens, AttorneyRengstorf CarpentryRem ManufacturingRH Johnson Co. Orchard CornersRoberts True Value Robert Norris, AttorneyR & R ConcreteThe SanctuarySchwan’s Home ServiceSecurity Lock & KeySelect MotorsSerenity Studio & SpaShenandoah Community SchoolsShenandoah Development Co.Shenandoah FloralShenandoah Family DentistryShenandoah Inn & Suites HotelShenandoah Medical CenterShenandoah SanitationSheridan DecoratingShirt WorksSmith Vending

Sorensen Auto PlazaSports-PlexSpencer’s Grocery & Gun 6 Star Energy Inc.State Farm Ins.SubwaySump Ins.Tall Corn InnTeam Green Plumbing & HeatingTriple K ManufacturingTurnbull Child Development Ctr.United Group Ins.United Group Real EstateValley NewsWallin Plumbing & HeatingWabash Wine Co.Wal-MartWilson Ins.Win Wang Chinese Restaurant

2011 - 2012 SCIA Business Members:


For most of the last decade, since he tookover Babe’s Café in Essex, Curt Riley hasenjoyed, if not wild success, at a comfort-able minimum a steady, sustainable flow ofcustomers though the doors of the town’sonly diner.

In the last couple of years, though, theloss of as much as 80 percent of his regularbusiness, Riley said, has him wonderinghow much longer he can keep those doorsopen.

“I guess you could say a small town cafécould be put on the endangered species list.The other towns around that have smallcafes, they’re having a hard times keepingthings going, too,” Riley said. “It’s a scarythought when you can look and say, ‘Okay,how many months do I have left?’”

Riley said it was tough to pinpoint exact-ly why business had declined so dramati-cally, but thought the tough economy andmany of his loyal, longtime patrons eitherpassing away or moving out of their Essexhomes and into managed care facilitieswere certainly two of the main factors. TheLittle Red Wagon, a local meal deliveryservice for seniors that contracts throughBabe’s, has been a modest but reliablesource of income since Riley bought thecafé, but even those numbers are down dra-matically, he said.

“The summer before last, we had twen-

ty-some meals, we were having two peopledeliver meals. Today we’ve got two, usual-ly we have around five to seven. That hasreally dropped off too,” Riley said.

Riley said he has tried a number of dif-ferent things to drum up business, from afish night on Thursdays to a taco night onTuesdays to offering new specials but has-

n’t found anything to make a lastingimprovement. While he used to draw regu-lar customers from Shenandoah and as faras Clarinda, he said younger patrons andcommuters have been hard to lure awayfrom high-visibility fast food restaurants inthe area.

He said he still has a dedicated core ofdaily customers - “You can always count onthem, they’re the ones that really keep itopen” – but that the occasional once a weekor once a month crowd has really declined,leaving him often wondering how muchfood to prepare, enough to serve but not toomuch to waste.

“It’s really a hit-and-miss,” Riley said.“When you plan out a dinner menu, youfigure so many and you pray you get rid ofit. It’s gotten really tough here in the lastcouple of years.”

Though he said he worries every dayabout how much longer he can hold out andknows something has to change, Riley saidhe’s not ready to throw in the towel yet. Forone thing, if he goes under the Little RedWagon, a vital service for local seniorswanting to remain in their own homes, willprobably go under too. And for another, hisuncle, the original “Babe,” instilled in himthe value a great local café brings to a com-munity

“It’s a place for people to go visit, eat,run into somebody they haven’t seen for awhile,” Riley said. “Every town needs aplace like that.”

Times can be tough for hometown cafe’s, like Babe’s

BABE’S... Curt and Karen Riley own and operate Babe’s Cafe in Essex.


Celebrating 40 Years in ShenandoahCommitted to

enhancing the

economic vitality

of Southwest Iowa

and the health

and well-being

of its citizens.

Developing

environmentally

sensitive programs

to improve the

quality of life in

Southwest Iowa

Striving for

manufacturing

excellence

Supporting localcharities throughvolunteer work

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Celebrating 40 Years in Shenandoah40 YEAR EMPLOYEES

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