C E D A R VALLEY
Businesses to Know
Sunday, September 25, 2016
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Sunday, September 25, 2016 | H3
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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Merry Maids What is your specialty? Residential and Commercial cleaning services provided on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or one time basis. Most popular brands? (Best seller?) Customized cleaning based on customer needs and budget.
Owner Teri Miller 245 Fletcher Ave., Ste. B Waterloo, IA 50701
Contact Adam to get your
FREE
facebook.com/ merrymaids.com
account setup TODAY!
MIGRATION
Weekend helps children with disabilities
Butterfly art makes way to C.F.
CEDAR VALLEY | A3
BREEZY 48 • 26 FORECAST, B5
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MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016
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wcfcourier.com
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Can make appt/ purchase online? Coming soon.
Best compliment your business has received? My expectations were exceeded. Fantastic job of making my home spotless. Who is your longestserving employee? How long have they worked there? Jessica Jeppeson. 17 years.
How do you go the extra mile for customers? 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Hours
Phone
Website
Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
(319) 232-90418
www.merrymaids.com/ waterloo-4360
twitter.com/ merrymaids
pinterest.com/ merrymaids
Save $100
adam.bolander@wcfcourier.com HEROIC EVENT
History of the business Opened September 27, 1992. Our mission is to provide the highest quality cleaning service to the Cedar Valley and surrounding communities.
CEDAR VALLEY | A9
$1.50
$20 off each of your first five weekly or biweekly cleanings. MATTHEW PUTNEY / COURIER PHOTO EDITOR
Umaru Balde works with students at the refugee English class at YWCA Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, in Waterloo, Iowa. The YWCA has seen a big spike in Burmese and Congolese refugees attending its English classes.
YWCA English class includes students of a variety of cultures Organizers thought class would end, but enrollment now up PAT KINNEY pat.kinney@wcfcourier.com
MATTHEW THEW PUTNEY PUTNE / COURIER PHOTO EDITOR
Kendall Maslak pets the family dog Guido in her home in Waterloo. Fourteen-year-old Kendall endall liv lives with w medication and minimizin minimizing triggers. epilepsy but has been seizure free for more than a year due to new
Speakingg uup Cedar Falls teen plans D.C. trip as Epilepsy Foundation advocate
difficult to understand for new listeners, and she often kept quiet. She suffered a seizure about every 20 days that led to her delays. Now, Kendall, 14, shows no hesitation in bursting into song CHRISTINIA CRIPPES — Katy Perry’s “Roar” — and christinia.crippes@wcfcourier.com doesn’t just say the title of her CEDAR FALLS — The mag- new favorite book but speaks its nitude of the gr Kendall st f line,“Ra el, Ra-
tioned her against ag doing a handstand at a school chool danc dance. “She’s had a lot of insults to her brain — including the medication, right — so now that she actually has this resting period, it’s just been n incredible to see her progression, sion,” said her mother Fadua Maslak at their Cedar Falls home.
WATERLOO — The classroom was abuzz with conversation at YWCA of Black Hawk County. It should be. It’s a language class. But the language is one the students aren’t used to — English. Natives of Mexico, Congo, Angola, Burma and others gather at the Y — all in the same room — to learn English. A group of University of Northern Iowa students are there to learn to teach it. And seeds of the universal language of education and understanding are being sown among those gathered. The class is informal,but structured and focused. Learners, interpreters and coaches are broken
into small groups,each focused on language tasks at hand. Presiding over it all is YWCA staffer Umaru Balde, a multilingual native of Portuguese West Africa who floats between the groups with a helpful phrase, encouraging word and a smile. And he makes sure they keep talking. UNI language professor Elise DuBord said the class didn’t turn out exactly as planned for her students — and that’s a happy circumstance. “I’m teaching a Spanish class at UNI,” she said. The students are primarily Spanish majors and minors, some who plan to teach English as a second language. “I wanted to do something with my class that would be a community-based learning project,” she said. It didn’t turn out as planned because many of the people they’re working with don’t even speak Spanish, let alone English.
New weekly and biweekly customers only. Not valid with other offers. Valid only at participating locations. Present this coupon prior to your first cleaning.
Please see ENGLISH, Page A8
Old C.F. post office earns historic approval ‘stamp’ PAT KINNEY pat.kinney@wcfcourier.com
CEDAR FALLS — It’s the icing on the cake, the cherry on the sundae — or in this case, the final “stamp” of approval. After all, it was a post office. The National Park Service has placed the historic former Cedar Falls Post Office building at 217 Washingt St. the National
Preservation Office, which then forwarded it to the National Park Service for final approval after several months’ work. The Cedar Falls Development Group acquired the building in Febrary 2014 in a long-term lease arrangement with the City of Cedar Falls, which had previously used the building, also known the Cit Hall Anne f cit
Offer good through 12/31/2016.
Merry Maids of Waterloo, IA 245 Fletcher Ave Suite B • Waterloo, IA 50701
Not a Subscriber?
Go to adam.bolander@wcfcourier.com
for our Introductory Special
AREAS WE SERVE
Waterloo, IA • Cedar Falls, IA Waverly and Surrounding Communities.
Call Us Today: 319-232-9018
www.merrymaids.com
AMPLIfY YOuR BRAND The right mix of digital marketing products can help turn your business into a brand.
TARGETED DISPLAY SEARCH MARKETING SOCIAL MEDIA WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT EMAIL MARKETING CREATIVE & STRATEGY
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adiowa.com
HOURS OF OPERATION Mon - Fri 7:30AM - 5:00PM Saturday - Sunday CLOSED
H4 | Sunday, September 25, 2016
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Tiedt Nursery
The Refinery Boutique & Salon
What is your specialty? We specialize in custom made furniture, industrial decor, and women and young girl’s clothing. Most popular brands? (Or dish?) (Best seller?) We carry Cello Jeans, flying monkey, Hayden
What is your specialty? We specialize in a wide variety of unique perennials, shrubs and trees in our retail nursery. We like to carry hard to find and unusual plants. We also have a great gift shop that many people are unaware of. We sell everything from wine to home and outdoor décor. We also specialize in landscaping and hardscaping, which includes everything from lawn seeding to patios and retaining walls. What unique products and gifts can you find here? We like to showcase local products made in Iowa. Some of our local Iowa products include Blue Stem Wine from Parkersburg, Milk House Candles and Pickle Creek oils and vinegars.
Owners Val Holm 2419 E. Bremer Ave. Waverly, IA 50677
History of the business Val Holm, owner of Tiedt Nursery has been in business for over 25 years. The business started as mostly windbreak plantings for farmers on conservation sites. From there the business continued to grow and eventually opened into a full retail nursery and landscaping business. What separates you from the competition? Customer service! That is our main priority We work hard to go above and beyond for each of our customers.
Can make appt/purchase online? The Refinery is a new Owners Jeremy & Sherri Buhr 213 Bremer Ave., Waverly, IA 50677
addition to the Cedar Valley. We are currently developing a website and both the ability to purchase products and schedule appointments online, will soon be made available to our clients. How do you go the extra mile for customers? We customize our products and services to fit our customers’ needs in the boutique and salon. The boutique carries very unique items, including the customizable furniture. We continuously bring new product in to have on hand. We want our customers Hours
Phone
Tues-Sat Salon
(319) 239-2288
to feel special leaving, so much so, we even carry specialty bags and tags for our customers to carry their special purchases out in. What’s the best compliment your business has received? I can’t really pick one! We have received great reviews on Facebook and Square for the short amount of time we have been open, and continue to work hard to provide the best customer service to our clients!
Wed-Sat Boutique
facebook.com/waverlyrefinery
@therefinerywaverly
Iowa Made Products | Unique Finds | Full Service Salon Custom Made Furniture | Decor | Clothing
What is your business well known for? Many people know Tiedt Nursery as retail and residential landscaping but we also do a lot of commercial work. Our crew does a lot of commercial hydro seeding and erosion control.
Hours
Phone
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(319) 352-0418
Website http://www.tiedtnurseryandlandscape.com/
facebook.com/tiedtnursery
213 E. Bremer Ave., Waverly | 319-239-2288
HOME & GARDEN Fresh ideas for creating beautiful spaces Available Hy-Vee, Fareway and other prime Northeast Iowa locations including Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
For more information, contact Sheila Kerns at 319-291-1448 or sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com 00 1
Sunday, September 25, 2016 | H5
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
there's no wrong way to celebrate.
go to www.wCFCourier.com/celebrations.
R.M. Granet & Co.
R.M. Granet & Company Nort h Io wa’s In t er n at ion a l Gi f t & A n t iq ue S tor e
What is your specialty?
We are North Iowa’s international gift & antique store. Featuring…fine art, estate jewelry, porcelain, crystal, silver, antiques and home furnishings. We showcase the well designed and the unique from here in the states and abroad.
Curated Elegance
Most popular brands? (Or dish?) (Best seller?)
Gold Coast vintage jewelry. Brands include: Tiffany & Co., Baccarat, Christofle Crystal. Royal Doulton, Spode, Limoges Bone China. Galle Vases. Johan Tapps, Baker Furniture…custom designed lamps & tables. We have current day, Mid Century Modern, Victorian, Rococo Furniture. Walker & Hall silver plated items…
History of the business
Years ago Rhona M. Granet and Molly Thomson met while they both lived in Chicago. Both deeply immersed in art we joined forces. Rhona Granet is a purveyor of fine art in Chicago and abroad. Family owned a distinguished arts and collectible business in England. Molly Thomson is a fine artist and has a business history
in Russian and European art. The business partners chose Iowa & Charles City as a mid point in the country.
Can make appt/purchase online?
Customers saunter in daily. Molly meets with customers also by appointment. Our e-commerce site is in the works. Facebook has really served our business well.
How do you go the extra mile for customers?
Providing history of items is one way. Free gift wrapping. Local gift delivery. Provide a registry for customers.
Best compliment your business has received?
“I can not believe I am finding this signed Dell Weston bronze statue in Charles City Iowa.” And, from another, “there is something for everyone here.”
My favorite, “I purchased this pocket watch from here and did research on it. I have sold it for many times over what I paid here.” People often remark that some of the items we have cannot be found in any other stores in Iowa. They also have remarked at how the merchandise is displayed. “It’s more like a curated art gallery than it is just a store.”
Owners Molly Thomson, Manager 1110 North Grand Avenue, Charles City, Iowa 50616
Hours Tuesday - Saturday (11 A.M. TO 6 P.M.) Closed Sunday and Monday.
Tues-Sat 11-6pm
Phone 641.220.5100 / 641.228.3455
Website www.RMGranet.com
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1110 North Grand Avenue Charles City, IA 50616 Phone Number 641-220-5100
RM Granet & Co., of Charles City.
H6 | Sunday, September 25, 2016
Businessess YOu Should Know
VGM Group, Inc.
Q
A
What does VGM do? VGM is comprised of 27 companies that service more than 25,000 businesses nationwide. The largest industries we serve are health care, restaurants and resorts, golf and insurance. VGM provides business owners and managers with an array of business solutions to help them improve their bottom line. Marketing solutions, insurance programs, vendor contracts, consulting and continuing education are a few.
History of VGM VGM was founded by Van Miller, Jim Walsh and John Deery, Jr. in 1986 as a group purchasing organization for home medical equipment (HME) providers. What started 30 years ago in a 1,500 sq. ft. office on W. Fifth St.
has evolved to more than 265,000 sq. ft. of work space within Waterloo alone. VGM also has offices located in Atlanta, Ga.; Overland Park, Kan.; Dade City, Fla.; Coralville, Iowa; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Morristown, N.J.; and Toronto, Ontario (Canada).
printing to mainly local businesses. VGM Forbin specializes in web development and online marketing for businesses of all kinds. VGM Apparel and Promotions offers company-branded promotional products and apparel.
What are the fireworks for?
What do employees like about working at VGM?
Each year, close to 1,000 home medical professionals nationwide travel to Waterloo to attend VGM’s Heartland Conference. During the three-day conference, attendees receive education and networking, and a lot of fun. This includes the spectacular fireworks show. The 2015 conference had a local economic impact of $1.1 million.
Does VGM conduct business within the Cedar Valley?
• They own the company • Family atmosphere • Community involvement • Food days!
Are you hiring? Yes. In 2015, VGM was ranked the #1 workplace in Iowa for large-sized companies. View our job postings at www.vgmgroup.com/careers.
There are several local HME businesses that are members. Strategic Imaging offers high-quality
Owners 842 proud employee-owners (749 residing in the Cedar Valley)
Years in Business 30
VGM Businesses 27
Website www.vgmgroup.com
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Businessess YOu Should Know
There’s a reason we’re the top workplace in Iowa! Our Employee-owners!
www.vgmgroup.com 00 1
H8 | Sunday, September 25, 2016
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Beyond Beauty
than vanity; Its your confidence, your first impression, your path to healing
What are your strengths?
What is your specialty? Microblading Brows, Eyeliner, Lips, Scars, Areola’s, Acne Scarring
Why I started this business? I have always had a passion for art and creativity. Several years ago I checked into permanent cosmetics and they were still just simply eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips. Through years of experience, excellent education, a desire to continually learn, and an overwhelming need to help others, I will try my best to make a difference for one person at a time as often as I can for as long as I can. It is more
Over 500 plus awards in art, 20 years in cosmetology, thorough certification in all fields offered for services provided and committed to client health and satisfaction.
How do you go the extra mile for customers? I am in the small percentage of people who love this work, consider it an art, and do everything to make clients comfortable and happy.
Best compliment your business has received? Word of mouth. If someone receives a service and trusts me enough to share it with their friends and family is amazing. This is permanent and to know that they loved their service and time with me enough
to share it is great. The best verbal compliment — “When you meet Andrea, you will just know this is what she is suppose to be doing.”
Who is your most important employee? My most valuable employee isn’t an employee. Becky has been a long time friend of our family and helped to raise my children. Her care and concern for people is above and beyond all anyone could ever ask for. When she says how are you — she genuinely means “how are you?’’ Becky is currently licenseing to do services herself in the shop for skin services outside of permanent makeup. She is irreplaceable and I am eager to get her on board, what a blessing!
Owners Andrea DeGroote 715 W 1st St., Cedar Falls
Hours Mon through Thurs 10am-5pm Fri & Sat by appt., Sunday closed
Phone (319) 266-6730
Email beyondbeautypm@yahoo.com
Website beyondbeautyia.com
facebook.com/Beyond Beauty Permanent Makeup 00 1
Sunday, September 25, 2016 | H9
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
BEYOND BEAUTY
715 w 1st Street, Cedar Falls Phone 319-266-6730 www.BeyondBeautyIA.com
Free ee Consult Consultation • Scar revision • Hair follicle simulation • Microblading • Eyeliner• Lip blush and fill • Lip liner and highlight • Dry needling • Collagen Induction Therapy • Breast Augmentation Revision • Areola Reconstruction
Permanent Eyebrow
Permanent Eyeliner
Microblading Powder or Ombre color & shape to frame your face
Manual or Rotary Machine Eyelash enhancement & liner availability for custom color
Feel Beautiful Inside and Out With Permanent Makeup
Scar Revision Covers everything from Breast to acne scaring
Benefits of Collagen Induction Therapy Wrinkles • Frown Lines Crows Feet • Acne Scars Smile Lines Chemical Free
Permanent Lip Blush
Areola Reconstruction Repigmentation technique restores the natural beauty of your breasts
· Lip Line, Lip Blush & Highlight · Restores lips to a youthful appearance · Cleft lip
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www.BeyondBeautyIA.com
H10 | Sunday, September 25, 2016
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo
History of the business The Isle Waterloo opened in June 2007.
Can make appt/purchase online? What is your specialty? Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo is an entertainment destination featuring over 900 slot and video poker machines, 29 table games and a live poker room. There are also 3 restaurants, a bakery and a 195 room hotel.
Most popular brands? (Or dish?) (Best seller?) Farmer’s Pick Buffet, The Lone Wolf, Otis & Henry’s Steakhouse and the newest feature: Simply Yummy Baking Company.
The property is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hotel reservations can be made online as well as ticket purchases for entertainment events. Reservations can also be made to dine at Otis & Henry’s Steakhouse.
How do you go the extra mile for customers? Customer service is our top priority. The casino and restaurants strive to put a name with a face and to give them the best service possible.
Best compliment your business has received?
The best compliment we can receive is when people recommend us to their friends and family.
Who is your longest-serving employee? How long have they worked there? Jill Mejia, Director of Marketing Operations, is the longest serving employee at Isle Waterloo. She has been here since before opening starting with Waterloo in October 2006. Jackie Lee, Regional Senior Director of Marketing is the longest serving with the Company. She started in Marquette, IA in 1994.
Owners
Phone
Website
Isle of Capri Casinos 777 Isle of Capri Blvd., Waterloo, IA 50701
1-877-ISLEWIN
www.theislewaterloo.com
Hours 24 Hours
Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo
@IsleCasinoWT
islecasinowt
Now Open at Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo Open daily from 7 am - 11 pm Pastries baked fresh daily on-premises or
call 319.833.2141 to make your custom order 777 Isle of Capri Boulevard •Waterloo, IA 50701 1-800-THE-ISLE • www.theislewaterloo.com © 2015 Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Must be 21. Otis & Henry’s, Isle and Isle of Capri are registered trademarks of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Tax and gratuity not included. Gambling a problem? There is help. And hope. Call 1-800-BETS-OFF. www.theislewaterloo.com Connect with Us 00 1
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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H12 | Sunday, September 25, 2016
BUSINESSESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
East Bremer Diner
purchased the EBD and continues serving all the classics. In 2015 Matt added a wider selection of craft beers on draft and also initiated the Goal Wall (found on the rear entrance hallway). Matt plans to bring the founder’s tradition to other Iowa towns in the future. What is your specialty? The thing we are most know for is our 5 made from scratch dressings: Ranch, Creamy Garlic, Thousand Island, French and Bleu Cheese. Most popular brands? (Or dish?) (Best seller?) Homemade dressings, Terri’s Pies, Cheese Frenchys, Hot beef sandwiches, Broasted Chicken, Homemade Pizza, Craft beers History of the business The East Bremer Diner (“EBD” as we call it) was opened in the early 2000s by Don and Sue Landau serving made from scratch items. After working with the Landaus for 5 years, Matt
Can make appt/purchase online? Reservations are recommended for groups of 8 people or more. To-go orders can be made via phone call. Online ordering is coming in the near future. How do you go the extra mile for customers? It will sound cheesey, but we look at our guests as family. We want them to feel invited and comfortable while they are here, we want to be an extension of their family (the side they really like). Some of the ways we show them are: -Parking someone’s car when they have a hard time walking -Personally calling people during road closures to give them a heads up
-Sitting down with our regulars in the afternoon and just catching up with them -Announcing our Soup of the Day on our Facebook page each day -Special arrangements for guests with certain handicaps and/or service animals.
Best compliment your business has received? Wow, we have had some really thoughtful things come in. We recently hard a little girl leave a note on her kids menu in crayon that said we “had the best French fries ever”. That was a pretty big deal We also had a compliment from a member of our military who wrote, “an excellent experience in service and taste. Attention to detail and stellar personal pride. Always sets the standard high.” Needless to say, compliments from our military get posted for our staff to see!
Owners
Phone
Website
Matt Lamos 117 East Bremer Avenue Waverly, IA 50677
(319)-352-2455
http://eastbremerdiner.com/
Hours
eastbremerdiner@gmail.com
Sun-Wed: 11am-8pm Thurs-Sat: 11am-9pm
facebook.com/EastBremerDiner/
The East Bremer Diner,
(319)352-2455
117 East Bremer Ave., Waverly, IA 50677
or EBD, as the locals call us, has been a tradition in Waverly for over 15 years. Our menu has a bunch to choose from! Our signature salads and homemade dressings are a great way to start your meal! Cheese Frenchies, Broasted Chicken, hot beef sandwiches, handbreaded pork tenderloins, Prime Rib, and homemade pies are just a few things to get you excited!
We accept reservations for small groups and large parties. Our more private mezzanine space is available for groups up to 60 people.
Hours: Sun-Wed: 11am-8PM Thurs-Sat: 11AM-9PM
#1 on TRIPADVISOR! 00 1