AABP EP Awards 728x90

Retail and Business

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NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Who is profiting from soaring lumber prices? Not tree growers

I recently talked with two people who operate lumber supply stores in the Des Moines area who told me about the increased costs of lumber. Prices have increased 50% and more, depending on the product, from a …

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Burger-focused diner opens on Ingersoll Avenue

Des Moines Register: A burger-driven restaurant with a diner vibe has opened on Des Moines’ Ingersoll Avenue corridor. Lachele’s Fine Foods, featuring signature smash burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs, opened Feb. 20 at 2716 Ingersoll. It’s …

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New renderings released of redeveloped Merle Hay Mall

The proposed redevelopment of portions of Merle Hay Mall would generate an estimated annual $126 million economic impact and create about 1,000 new jobs, according to Elizabeth Holland, CEO of Merle Hay Investors, which owns …

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Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce owner selected as a top entrepreneur by Lowe’s

Taufeek Shah, who owns Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce, will soon see his products in more than 1,300 Lowe’s home improvement stores after being named a top entrepreneur in “Making it … with Lowe’s,” the company’s …

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U.S. Bank launches $25M microbusiness fund focused on women of color

U.S. Bank announced it has created a $25 million microbusiness fund focused on grants and investments in businesses owned by women of color. The new program is part of its U.S. Bank Access Commitment, which will …

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Slate of speakers announced for virtual Business Analytics Symposium

The annual Business Analytics Symposium, hosted by the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University, will return this year as a virtual event on April 6 and 7 (half-day each day). Now in …

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Compromise seen as solution in debate over state’s ‘bottle bill’

A move to make changes to the state’s beverage container redemption law, commonly called the “bottle bill,” may be coming to a head with the introduction of several bills in this year’s Legislature.

The bills …

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SBA Iowa District to host webinars on Black entrepreneurship in Iowa

The SBA’s Iowa District Office is hosting a webinar series during Black History Month highlighting Black entrepreneurship in Iowa, the SBA announced. The webinars are being held via Microsoft Teams on Feb. 23, regarding best …

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Indianola-based Cemen Tech acquires U.K. company

Cemen Tech Inc. has acquired Contech Testing & Consultancy Ltd., a move that expands the Indianola-based manufacturing company’s European operations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Located in Wolverhampton, England, Contech provides a range …

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Junk King announces new ownership for Des Moines, Waterloo operations

Junk King, a national junk removal franchise company, announced new ownership of its Des Moines and Waterloo locations with a local business group, Ace Tunes LLC. Bret Tratchel, the general manager of Junk King Des …