During today’s ribbon cutting, Chamber Ambassadors extended a warm welcome to Home Revisions, a construction company that is committed to their clients. Their motto? Protect and provide.
In August 2020, Home Revisions owner Nick Darland began the company with a vision to not only renovate homes, but to “transform the client experience within the construction industry.” Darland, who grew up in Grinnell, has since purchased a building on Penrose Street (formerly Ashing Machine & Tool) as the company’s headquarters, and now offers a subscription service that includes gutter cleaning, exterior inspections, and 10% off future remodeling projects.
Ultimately, says Darland, “we’re carpenters aspiring to be artists.” Darland and his team of two — Kolton and Kevin Werner — have done beautiful work on numerous historical and Victorian homes. Together, they’ve built a reputation for taking on complex, large-scale projects around the town of Grinnell, preserving charming features of older homes while introducing the functionality of modern ones.
Today, Darland continues to catch tea with one of his former clients every week, having spent time between August 2022 to May 2024 reconstructing her home — another nod to their client-centric approach to business. Meanwhile, HomeRevisions has maintained good working relationships with similar companies around Grinnell and has built an impressive clientele. HomeRevisions is a company with deep roots in the community, one that Darland has grown to appreciate since he has “found his way back home” to the Grinnell community.
For more information on Home Revisions’ work or their approach, visit their website homerevisionsiowa.com, email info@homerevisionsiowa.com or give them a call at 641-260-1079.
Pictured left to right:
Ambassadors visited Fareway Stores Grinnell today to learn more about the store and their recent remodel. Grocery manager Ben Hall welcomed the group and shared more about the work that has taken place over the last six months. While the work itself began last October, their team has been busy planning for a couple years. Fareway has an internal construction team which helps individual stores plan their remodels, and they’re chosen based on a variety of factors including age of store, location, and foot traffic.
Grinnell’s Fareway store has been in its current location since 2007 (we were just as surprised as some of you!), and it was time for some updates. Notable changes included updates to the current refrigeration units, eliminating the old and inefficient ‘pizza bunkers’. The remodel greatly improved lighting throughout the entire store, something Hall noted many customers have found appealing. Finally, they removed the ‘L’ that previously closed off the produce selection from the grocery, creating significantly more open space and moving the liquor to a designated aisle.
The remodel has also allowed them to bring in a variety of new products. Staff have a catalog of items from which they can order; however, previous space constraints did not allow them to carry as many products. Since the remodel, they have added several hundred products, and are always looking at ways they can carry additional items to meet the needs of Grinnell-area residents.
Hall referenced many changes in the grocery industry over the past few years which included: addition of Fast Lanes that were implemented last fall, online shopping and curbside pickup options and new building signage. Locally, Fareway employs over 80 individuals, as young as 14 years old. You can shop Grinnell Fareway from 8AM-9PM Monday through Saturday.
Pictured L-R: Monica St. Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Charlie Isaacs - Theisen's, Rachel Hansen - Cleanfoodfix LLC, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Hannah Vos - UnityPoint at Home, Donna Fischer - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Ben Hall - Fareway Stores Grinnell, Matt Moyer - Bayer Crop Science, Bri Vande Stouwe - Community 1st Credit Union, Fran Conn, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College Community Connections
Ambassadors welcomed new member At The Mental Health Lab today. Owner and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Lori Halvorson opened the business in January 2023 after practicing for nearly a decade at various other practices. She wanted to start a practice with less of a clinical feel in a more homey space. The house at 515 6th Ave provided a lot of potential and after remodeling the entire main floor, she was able to open the space and begin seeing clients.
Halvorson is licensed in the state of Iowa and treats ages 8 to adult in-person and through video telehealth. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and can treat a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, organizational and behavioral skills and more. Halvorson also works with the Poweshiek County Sherrif’s Department and CICS to provide sessions to inmates.
New clients can request an appointment online or by calling 641-990-4936. New clients will receive an evaluation at their first appointment along with an anxiety, depression and ptsd screening. Halvorson then works with each client to determine goals and a treatment plan. She is not able to offer medication management but will refer clients to their primary doctors or another provider to get them the help they need.
Halvorson is passionate about helping people and believes it’s important to find a therapist and an environment that’s a right fit. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more, reach out via phone or check out the website at www.mentalhealthlab.net. If you need financial assistance, the JPK Fund may be able to help.
Pictured Back L-R: Brad German - GreenState Credit Union - Grinnell, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Stephanie Lair - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Faith Repp - Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, Hannah Voss - UnityPoint at Home, Charlie Isaacs - Theisen's, Monica St. Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Victoria Springer - American Brawn Charity, Whitney Bair Crawford, Agent with New York Life
Front L-R: Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Duane and Pam McDonald, Nels Halvorson, Lori Halvorson - @ The Mental Health Lab, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Fran Conn, Hannah Warnell - Warnell Real Estate, Carol Jordan - Senior Chamber, Cynthia Alberts - OnMedia
Ambassadors visited two members today. First, Mason Chris Harris showed ambassadors around the second floor of the Hermon Masonic Lodge and shared some of the building and organization’s history. Grinnell’s Mason chapter was chartered in 1870 and they met in various locations around town before deciding to build their building in 1918. Their goal as an organization is to “make good people better” and Chris laughed when saying most of the rumors we’ve heard about the Masons aren’t true but they make it fun. They’re always accepting new members, if you’re interested in learning more, reach out to a current member.
Ambassadors then ventured to the third floor to celebrate the opening of American Brawn Charity Solace Center. American Brawn is a nonprofit who’s mission is to share information on suicide support and raise money to purchase life saving equipment for first responders. Founder Kent Reed shared that he has been interested in exploring a support location for veterans and first responders to gather and find comfort with others who have similar backgrounds. He approached the Masons about renting the third floor of their building and they agreed to partner.
The American Brawn Solace Center is open Thursday nights from 6-8 PM. They offer art projects, books or magazines to read, music and other activities for people looking for an opportunity to find solace. Kent intends to add some more structured programming in the future but the current sessions are drop in. While everyone is welcome, the space is specifically looking to provide veterans, active military and first responders the opportunity to connect. Some of the projects attendees are working on will be available for purchase during the auction at the upcoming annual American Brawn Gala (save the date for July 13).
Join Kent and others this Thursday and every Thursday from 6-8 PM on the 3rd floor of the Mason building (928 Main Street). There are chair lifts available if attendees need assistance with the stairs. If you have questions about the Solace Center or would like to make a donation to American Brawn, contact Kent at 641-821-5134 or visit their website at americanbrawn.us
Pictured L-R: Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Whitney Bair Crawford, Agent with New York Life, Gary Benest - American Brawn Charity Volunteer, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Phil Grout - Hy-Vee, Jess Dawson - REMAX Partners Realty- Grinnell, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College Community Connections, Monica St. Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Fran Conn, Kent Reed - American Brawn Charity, Charlie Isaacs - Theisen's, Rod Rosburg - American Brawn volunteer, Stephanie Lair - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Nathan Beck - Community 1st Credit Union, Rachel Arsenault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Hannah O'Polka - Cleanfoodfix Wellness Studio, Hannah Voss - UnityPoint at Home, Matt Moyer - Bayer Crop Science, Faith Repp - Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, Marissa Pronschinske - Grinnell Chamber
Today Ambassadors welcomed new member and new business, Paparoni's - Grinnell, Iowa. Mike Beasley and Jim Marino have partnered to start a mobile Italian eatery. Paparoni’s will debut as a vendor at the Grinnell Farmers Market starting Thursday, May 9 from 3-6 PM and will feature homemade ready-to-eat Italian food.
Jim, who is the head chef and recipe developer, has extensive restaurant experience having worked in a number of food establishments in Las Vegas over his career. After moving to Grinnell a year and a half ago, Jim & Mike have been dreaming of sharing Jim’s food with the community and officially decided 5 months ago to take the leap. You’ve likely seen Jim at the Farmers Market at the Olive Brand Woodworking booth. He enjoyed getting to talk with people in that setting and both he and Mike felt starting at the market would not only add to the market atmosphere but also provide a great entry into Grinnell’s food scene.
Their menu currently has 17 approved dishes including spaghetti and meatballs, Sunday gravy (red sauce with meat), Chicken Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches, Italian sausage sandwiches, ravioli lasagna, a few desserts and more. They plan to continue to work with the state on approving more recipes to add to their menu. Each week you’ll find a different selection of 4-5 options available for purchase. They hope to expand to public and private events later this summer and have big dreams beyond that. You’ll be able to find Paparoni’s in Grinnell every Thursday 3-6 PM at the market, Saturday mornings at the market starting late May/early June, and at the Newton Farmers Market on Tuesdays. Follow their facebook page to stay up to date on menu offerings each week!
We also had record breaking attendance by ambassadors!
Pictured L-R: Donna Fischer - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center Foundation, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Hannah Vos - UnityPoint at Home, Ashley Symbol - First State Bank, Marissa Pronschinske - Grinnell Chamber, Fran Conn, Stephanie Lair - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell, Bri Gaunt - Community 1st Credit Union, Matt Moyer - Bayer Crop Science, Rachel Hansen - Cleanfoodfix Wellness Studio, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College Community Connections, Mike Beasley, Amber Marino & Jim Marino - Paparoni’s, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Charlie Isaacs - Theisen's, Carol Jordan - Senior Chamber, Whitney Bair Crawford, Agent with New York Life, Cynthia Alberts - OnMedia, Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Jack Mathews - Our Grinnell, Sarah Smith - Grinnell College
Ambassadors welcomed new member 606 Stagecoach LLC today. Craig Cooper and his partner Barb Arlint invested in building this large commercial condo facility (located behind the Super 8 ) last year and now have spaces available for purchase and rent. This project is a long time coming after Craig saw a similar building in another city 15 years ago and has been dreaming about an affordable business incubator space ever since.
The building consists of 8 individual units. Each unit is 30’x40’ space with a 14’ overhead door and 16’ sidewalls. The unit includes a half bath with water, 150-amp breaker panel, cement floor with drain and are individually metered for gas, electric, HVAC. The divider walls are fire grade so there’s expanded occupancy use but they can also be removed if an individual was interested in combining two spaces. Occupants are able to do interior build outs to fit their needs, as long as the build can be removed to return the space to its original form.
Craig & Barb’s intention is to provide a space for a business that’s maybe outgrown their garage or home but aren’t quite ready to invest in a larger property. The spaces can be used as a full retail space to small engine repair to storage depending on a business’s need. 4 of the units are already rented and 4 are currently available for lease or purchase. If you’re interested in learning more, Kevin Kolbe at Ramsey-Weeks is the listing agent. Call Kevin at 641-236-3141 or email kevin@ramseyweeksrealestate.com.
Pictured L-R: Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Jack Mathews - Our Grinnell, Fran Conn, Whitney Bair Crawford, Agent with New York Life, Rachel Arseneault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Barb Arlint & Craig Cooper - 606 Stagecoach LLC, Cynthia Alberts - OnMedia, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting, Bri Gaunt - Community 1st Credit Union, Kevin McAlexander - Hawkeye Lock & Security, Monica St. Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Hannah Warnell - Warnell Real Estate, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Marissa Pronschinske - Grinnell Chamber