New Businesses Move Forward

The past year or so has seen exciting developments in the Hawarden business community. Several new businesses opened while new owners and new company names popped up as well. More additions and enhancements are forecast for the coming year.

“Even with the global pandemic and uncertain agricultural markets, the Hawarden business community remained vibrant in 2020. We were glad to welcome some businesses to town, see new owners take over established enterprises and, just as importantly, see Hawarden’s long-time businesses demonstrate continued resilience and success,” said Larry Cope, community and economic development director for the City of Hawarden.

Here’s a look at some of the new businesses and significant business upgrades recently welcomed to the Hawarden.

Kaylee Strong is making sure Hawarden area residents can continue to commemorate life’s important passages with fresh flowers. She replaced Jan McMillian’s long-time Flowers by Jan downtown with 905 Kaylee Strong Arrangements. “Knowing how long Jan was successful here and having a strong staff, I was confident it would work,” Strong said. In addition to a complete remodel of the space, she has added some home décor plus hopes to resume flower arranging classes after prom is done.

Nick Strong started his business by purchasing two used golf carts which he refurbished and sold. Then he bought four carts which he again refurbished and sold. His success multiplied and now he sells more than 200 a year. In 2019, he opened Alpha Motorsports in Sioux Falls and, in 2020, purchased Northside Body Shop and Big Sioux Marine from his grandfather, Sonny Strong. “This is our family shop and I wanted it to stay in the family,” Nick said. The company is a dealer for new EZ Go golf carts; refurbishes and customizes golf carts; does marine mechanics such as servicing boats; and is an auto body shop. He’s excited to serve a broader customer base from his hometown of Hawarden at 1609 Ave E.

Big Sioux Embroidery will be moving from its current location at the corner of 10th Street and Highway 12 to make room for the new building of People’s Bank. Owner Carol Hoogestraat’s long-time Hawarden business will take up residence at 1001 Central Avenue, about a block east. Big Sioux Embroidery is a promotional product distributor, specializing in customized team and workplace apparel.

It was a shocking day in 2019 when the landmark auto service center at 10th and Central in Hawarden burned down. However, rising from the ashes only a few yards away just south Jeff Carr of 10th Street on Avenue H, owner Jeff Carr built a new, 6,500-square-foot automotive service and tire center. Carr has been in the auto service, repair, sales and salvage business in the city since 1984. “If you want Hawarden to grow, some businesses need to expand. My son is going to mechanic school this fall and I’m hoping he’ll come back to work here,” Carr said.

Granite Church, affiliated with First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, is growing quickly. The contemporary worship at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday has regularly packed its temporary home at the Hawarden Community Center. The church anticipates moving to a new location in spring 2021 at 400 Tenth Street. Like the Community Center, the new location will also be a non-traditional setting.

Joyce Boyer

Gypsy Soul at 907 Central Avenue sells a wide variety of women’s clothing from size small to 3x; and accessories such as shoes, jewelry, hats, lotions and perfumes. Owner Joyce Boyer also offers Mirabella makeup and skin care lines from Clinical Care and Bio-Elements.

Siouxland Habitat for Humanity is planning to build its first single-family home in Hawarden in 2021. For more information, call 712-255-6244.

Retail retirements often cause gaping holes on small town main streets. But Hawarden avoided that dilemma on the south end of Central Avenue when Rob Van Egdom purchased the appliance business long run by his uncle, Harlan Van Egdom. Re-named as Heartland Appliance & Repair, Rob is building on the brand of his George-based business, Heartland Hardware. He’s expanded the inventory and added appliance repair. Rob said, “Both sides of my family have deep roots in Hawarden, making it a logical addition to the business.”

Owner Jared Vlotho will move Lifestyle Fitness two blocks down Central Avenue into the old city hall. He purchased the building from the city and is doing extensive interior work. Vlotho said the biggest change for the physical fitness center is the full concrete floor on the lower level which will improve the gym’s power lifting capabilities. He plans to add more training for younger athletes. For now, the upper level of the old city hall will remain open for use by classes. Long-term, he may adapt the upper level for additional use as an event venue. The Hawarden Historical Society worked for years to save the old city hall building and restore its exterior.

People’s Bank and People’s Insurance will move from its current Central Avenue location into a new building which will be built on the southeast corner of Highways 10 and 12. The new location will include a more convenient drive-thru plus the addition of a drive-thru ATM.

Rob Van Egdom

Prairie Woods Nature Center opened at Oak Grove Park just a few miles north of Hawarden at 4051 Cherry Avenue in 2020. Additional info on page 33.

In 2020, River’s Edge Bank introduced Hawarden’s first drive-thru ATM which is located on the northeast corner of Highways 10 and 12.

Owners Todd and Anna Krug are not only satisfying the hunger pangs of evening diners, but they’ve also filled a frequently empty storefront on the south end of Hawarden’s Central Avenue. Rooster’s Midwest Steakhouse is open Wednesday through Saturday evenings and features a full bar and a menu which includes beef, pork, chicken, seafood, pasta and burgers. There’s also a full appetizer menu and desserts.

Showroom Sweets plans to open as a small takeout bakery in spring 2021 in a former auto showroom next door to Quick Corner on Highway 10. Owner Ashley Noble said, “We’ll have fresh baked bread, pie and custom cakes; and I’ll have cookies and cupcakes; and coffee with breakfast food such as turnovers, danish, donuts and cinnamon rolls in the morning.” Showroom Suites plans to be open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and some Saturdays. Noble is a nurse and will continue nursing, but said she grew up baking with her mom and is “excited for a little bit of change and to be a little artistic with it.”

Stop by our store or order online!

712-551-1686 905 Central Avenue, Hawarden TUX

HAWARDEN, IOWA

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BULK FUEL DELIVERY 712-551-1966 | 712-551-6406

803 10th St | 712-551-2244 | hawardenpubliclibrary.com

Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Thurs 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hawarden’s Public Library is a state-of-the-art resource for residents. The library provides informational and entertaining materials for all ages in a variety of formats including traditional books, books-on-CD, digitally-downloadable books, and DVD’s. Public access computers are available on site and high speed internet is available at no charge.

Hawarden provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The city has an outdoor swimming pool, three softball diamonds, three baseball diamonds, six community parks and one commercial fitness center.

• Summer Rec Hotline: 712-551-2260

Summer Rec Website: sites.google.com/a/

• T-Ball for girls and boys who are 4 and 5 years old.

No registration or fee is required. • Baseball and softball for boys and girls in K-5 and golf for grades 5-8.

• Hours: 1:00-5:00 p.m. 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Monday through Sunday • Wading pool is free; daily fees for adults and children over age 7. Seasonal passes available. • Swimming lesson forms can be picked up at

Hawarden City Offices or downloaded from the city website.

Contact City Offices at 712-551-2565 to reserve the Central Park enclosed shelter; Community Center, or meetings rooms at City Hall.

Available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seven spots are located on the southeast corner of 15th St/Avenue E and four spots are to the south in Veteran’s Memorial Park. Each pad rents for $15 per night. Pay at City Offices or put in the box at either location in an envelope with the pad number.

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