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After being Grinnellians, Evan and Abby Petig are now owners of The Grinnellian. The Victorian home is a destination spot for visitors to Grinnell, with six elegant rooms and decorative lounging and dining spaces.
Before the Victorian home became The Grinnellian, however, the bed and breakfast was run by past owners Dorothy and Ray Spriggs as the Carriage House. Although the business has new owners and a new name, the Petigs are committed to offering the same great care and service.
“Even though we are seven weeks out, we are still trying not to break anything,” laughs Evan. “Thanks to the Spriggs, this place already has such a great reputation.”
The Petigs, who both graduated from Grinnell College, were excited to set their sights on a new entrepreneurial adventure. Their goal in inheriting the bed and breakfast? “To show the best of Grinnell.”
Their dream came at the perfect time. When Dorothy was ready to retire, she knew she wanted the Victorian home to absolutely remain a bed and breakfast, no doubt about it.
“We thought it might take a long time to find the right buyer. But it wasn’t long before Evan and Abby came along,” Dorothy shares with the Chamber Ambassadors. (As part of the sale, the Petigs also inherited some of Dorothy’s recipes, so her delicious foods continue to fuel visitors during their stays in Grinnell!)
“This space could have become a single-family home, or a rental space, but we were set on keeping it as a bed and breakfast,” says Evan. “It’s a great asset to the community, and with people interested in this modern Victorian home, we are thinking long-term of what more we can do with this space.”
Right now, there is a taste of Grinnell’s local businesses in the newly owned Grinnellian. In one room, a donated record player from the Grinnell Historical Museum shines in the corner. For breakfast, delicious scrambled eggs courtesy of Grinnell Farm To Table or sourdough bread from the popular Grin City Bakery call your name from the dining room table. Online, social media posts and their newly created TikTok account is produced by local marketing agency Double You Marketing, Inc.!
“But we also want to have events to pair with our local products,” says Evan. “We have a big community space — we have beautiful lighting and a wonderful work space — so our goal is to take something great and put a spin to it.”
As the Grinnellian looks to expand to other groups of people, like tourists and visiting professionals, they are eager to partner with area businesses and welcome guests to our quaint Grinnell community. Plus, over academic breaks, Grinnell College families often stay at The Grinnellian — including families of faculty and staff members! “It’s so nice to see mentions of us on the Parents of Grinnell College Facebook group,” says Evan. For those hoping to stay in a more handicapped-accessible space, the Petigs are already planning to remodel a suite in the home in the future.
Excitedly, the Grinnellian is expanding to invite local residents into the fun! If you would like to reserve the space for photo shoots or small weddings, bachelorette, and graduation parties, visit their website, https://www.thegrinnellian.com/, or call 515-778-8203 today! And if you are curious to hear about new events, follow them on Facebook, The Grinnellian, and Instagram, @thegrinnellian.
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
After leaving the military, Braden Crist wondered what was next for her. What career would she take on and where? Having grown up in Donds, Iowa, she was always drawn to the natural world, and with her father, learned to forage from a young age.
Because of this, her partner suggested she explore homeopathy. “At first, I was like, ‘Don’t tell me what to do,’” Crist laughs. But eventually, she signed herself up for homeopathy classes, not realizing that the classes could help her navigate her own struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“It was a wonderful experience to try my first remedy. It really encouraged a lot of healing, on an emotional, mental and physical level.” So, she decided to open her new business in Grinnell, Homeopathic Remedy Apothecary - Grinnell, IA, which the Chamber Ambassadors celebrated with a ribbon cutting.
In Crist’s store, expect to find a wide variety of goods, from essential oils to lotions and teas to skin care. Some items are marked with where they come from — whether from indigenous communities, veteran owned and out of state businesses, and even communities around Iowa. Her selection of chocolates come from Marion, for example, whose business owners were deployed with Crist in Afghanistan. She also carries tinctures and kid-safe products — that are safe enough to be used on pets, too. (Fun fact: one of her employees, Staca Sothman, sells her own sage bundles that she harvested and dried on her own.)
“In the homeopathic world, there are over 8,000 remedies,” explains Crist. “Remedies are recommended to the individual and how they experience life.” Her staff are also trained on acute homeopathic knowledge. They can assist customers with pairing certain remedies with ailments, and for those who come in with more chronic ailments, Crist and her staff will refer individuals to an affordable homeopathic clinic based in Minnesota.
But her store is a great place to start for specific ailments — “basically, these remedies are triggering the body to recognize its pain, and it becomes a catalyst for a person to heal themselves, whether emotionally, physically, or mentally,” says Crist.
For instance, her homeopathic brown vessels are sugar pods that customers can take often. Once it relieves 85-90% of the symptoms, the body then kicks in to do the rest of the healing work.
“Homeopathy is something I really wanted to bring to a small town and bring awareness to,” says Crist, who currently lives in Newton. “I love how diverse the Grinnell community is and love that the college is here.” One customer even joked that she is glad she doesn’t need to drive to Des Moines anymore for a remedy!
Once settled in, Crist hopes to bring yoga and self-defense classes to her large retail space, as well as a sound bowl event. If you’re interested in learning more about homeopathic remedies, visit their website, https://homeopathicremedyapothecary.com/, which has a FAQ page and overview of their business! The store is also open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM-5 PM and Sunday 10 AM-4 PM.
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
Throughout his life, late Grinnell College trustee Gregg Narber ‘68 was a huge lover of art. When he was young, he took classes at the Des Moines Art Center and began collecting artwork by American artists. But he was drawn to the work of one particular artist — Roy Dean De Forest — whose pieces and sculptures are quirky and fantastical in nature.
“While I didn’t get to meet Gregg, I got a sense of his personality from the art he collected, " remarks Susan Baley, director of the Grinnell College Museum of Art. “He was very much a Renaissance man with a great sense of humor.” When Narber passed in 2022, his wife donated 66 pieces to the museum, some of whose frames are on display with colorful and eccentric objects.
“When we curate an exhibition, we primarily think about how college classes can use the collections — this is especially important for donors, who consider how their collected artwork might be studied in the classroom,” says Baley.
Art pieces are donated to the museum every year, from alumni to teachers at Iowa State University. “We make a big commitment whenever we accept a piece of art — essentially, we are promising to take care of a piece forever,” says Baley. The museum’s current exhibition, “Primary Sources: Recent Acquisitions to the Museum's Art Collection,” is proof of how the museum’s collections are growing — many of the works displayed have been added within the last three years.
“These are gifts, as well as purchases,” explained Baley to the Chamber Ambassadors. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a budget for acquisitions based on an endowed gift every year.”
Because of the endowed gift, Baley often strategizes on how their collection can grow. One area she is particularly passionate about is expanding the museum’s collections to include artists of diverse backgrounds, specifically women and indigenous artists.
For example, this current exhibition includes works from artist Dindga McCannon, a Black woman who was influential in empowering and creating a collective of Black women artists within her 50-year career.
“We are always striving to represent diversity in a collection,” remarks Baley. She also pointed to displayed works that incorporate markers of Mexican art with contemporary styles. One piece of Puebla pottery was built from the same artist who incorporated Mexican styles of art to the contemporary culture of low rider cars. “It is amazing to see how indigenous artists connect important art styles from Mexico from the past and into the present.”
Exhibition designer Milton Severe had these prominent visual connections in mind when he curated the museum’s current display. Amongst the artworks, you might also notice constant pops of color and dots scattered among the paintings and sculptures, including one sculpture designed with Braille.
If you are deeply interested in art, or are a casual art lover, become involved with the museum! On Oct. 31, artist Dindga McCannon will be at the museum to present her talk, “Where We At,” at 4 PM, and will discuss her work as an artist and how it draws attention to forgotten histories of public figures and everyday heroines. On Wed., Nov. 12, former museum director Lesley Wright will also present on her years working with the Narbers and cultivating a relationship that allowed them to connect deeply over art.
This coming summer, the museum will be closed for a second time because of an HVAC renovation, “which did not end up happening last summer because of a production delay,” laughs Baley. Until then, the museum will be open to the public Tues.-Fri., 11 AM-6 PM; Thurs., 11 AM-8 PM; and Sat.-Sun. 1-5 PM. And not to worry, the museum’s summer outreach programs will continue despite the summer closure!
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
Four years ago, attorney P.J. Mahaffey called up Robert Seer from his student days at Grinnell College to pose an interesting idea — would his college best friend, a Chicago attorney with 7 years of experience, be interested in moving to Grinnell to practice law alongside him?
“At the time, I was like ‘thanks, but no thanks,’” Seer laughs. Despite being great college friends and singing in an acapella group together, Seer was not ready to move to Grinnell quite yet. But over the years, the idea of Grinnell became more and more attractive to him — small community, great homes, and his old college town. “I also began to think, how many chances do people have to practice law with one of their best friends?”
So, this past summer, Seer moved back to Grinnell to join Mahaffey at his firm, Mahaffey Law Office, formerly Schild Law Office. Mahaffey Law Office operates differently than your typical law firm in bigger cities. Instead of the attorneys specializing in one area, they can take on a wide variety of services — civil litigation for action disputes, contract law, estate planning, and probate law, as well as juvenile cases and cases involving Grinnell College international students. However, Mahaffey does *not* do taxes. “When I was in law school, I told my father I wouldn’t do taxes, and my father respected it,” laughs Mahaffey.
Funnily enough, the founder of Schild Law Office, Don Schild, started out as a political rival against Mahaffey’s father, attorney Michael Mahaffey. But as they began working as competitors in the legal market, they learned to work well together and referred cases to one another. “Relationships are everything,” says Mahaffey. “And they developed a relationship with the community, too. If anyone has a question about real estate, they just call Don. It’s cool to see how we’ve become a community resource.”
After having learned tricks from the trade from his father’s 50 years of experience at his Montezuma and Grinnell offices, P.J. Mahaffey officially took the reins in summer of 2023. While Schild regularly comes into the office to assist with abstracts and other matters, Mahaffey has been in charge of melding Schild’s practice with his own.
“So far, it has been a wonderful partnership, and Don is a fantastic mentor,” says Mahaffey. Plus, Mahaffey and his family are excited to be operating from downtown Grinnell. In a way, Mahaffey’s father often jokes that the Montezuma office paved the way to having a presence right at Grinnell’s fingertips, which is a challenge across rural Iowa at the moment.
“There is a real crisis in the number of attorneys we have in Iowa, specifically in rural communities,” explains Mahaffey. “I went back to my law school alma mater, Drake University, to talk about how to get those people here.” He stresses the importance of owning a local firm — “we are more effective and more efficient. And my team here is all local from Poweshiek County, too, not just me.”
Currently, Mahaffey and Seer split their time between the Grinnell and Montezuma offices while Seer waits to have his license from Illinois transferred to Iowa. If you are in the market for legal services, give them a call at 641-236-6506 or visit their website, https://www.mahaffeylaw.net/. If they’re not able to help, they would be happy to refer you to someone who can!
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
Grinnell United Way is no ordinary non-profit — when you donate money to the organization, you donate to as many as nine organizations!
In Grinnell, United Way is a 100% volunteer organization, operating with an exclusive focus on raising money to support non-profit organizations in Grinnell.
“Even with organizations like the Poweshiek Housing Fund,” says President Ashley Grundler, “we make sure that our funds are being allocated and targeting the 10,000 folks living in Grinnell. It is a part of the United Way charter and mission."
When organizations apply for funds through United Way, the process is straightforward. Answer about 25 questions highlighting the organization’s work, deliver a budget and guidelines for a project, and tell the story behind the organization. Answer questions, deliver a plan, and tell a story — how many Grinnell community members will be supported if they receive these funds?
The non-profits United Way supports are focused in one of three key areas: education, overcoming financial hardships, and health — this last year, they supported various organizations, including Grinnell Farm To Table, Grinnell Community Early Learning Center, and Suds of Love.
“Between the eight members of our board, we wear different hats in the community and have connections to the work our agencies do,” notes Grundler. When community members reach out to Grinnell United Way for resources, their team can point them to the proper community organization for help.
But it cannot be done without fundraising efforts. This fall, the United Way team is preparing to launch their most critical fundraising campaign yet. Their goal? $90,000, all of which they are planning to allocate directly back into the community. “It’s a little backwards, but in a way it forces our hands to deliver on that amount to our organizations,” explains Grundler.
Efforts include everything, from fundraising letters and fundraising nights, like Pagliai's Pizza Grinnell's “Pags Give Back Night.”. Once a month, the board comes together to discuss fundraising efforts, as well as create various committees to discuss other important needs of the organization. Kris Mensing, the treasurer of United Way of Grinnell, invites volunteers to join him in his accounting and budgeting conversations. “I’m the budget guy,” he told Ambassadors, “and although it is taxing to be strict about budget, it is rewarding to be able to allocate correctly.”
Plus, he adds that if accounting isn’t your strength, you can volunteer to create different aspects of the fundraising campaign, public relations, or outreach work.
Any donation helps. Stop into the Chamber to collect a brochure to mail your check in, or give online on www.GrinnellUnitedWay.org. If you would like to volunteer to help, whether through accounting, public relations, or social media, email info@grinnellunitedway.org. If you are or know a non-profit leader, encourage them to apply for a grant through United Way! After all, 97% of funds go directly to their partner agencies that impact about 3,500 Grinnellians. Be the next one to live united. Make an impact.
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
What is one way to keep Grinnell on its toes? By bringing the Nutcracker ballet to town, of course! This year’s Thanksgiving weekend will premiere a huge production — or rather, a magical musical performance — right here in Grinnell!
When Ballet Des Moines contacted Sarah Smith about hosting the Nutcracker in Grinnell, it seemed like a great opportunity.
“I really wanted a more local connection if the production were to be held here,” says Smith. “So when they said we could have auditions here in Grinnell and cast local people, that’s when I got excited.” Local dancers from around Poweshiek County auditioned for the Nutcracker’s Grinnell performance last spring, and 30 of them were casted for the upcoming number. The performers range from 5-20 years old (including a Grinnell College student), and are now on their third rehearsal before the exciting premiere.
“Plus, we convinced Ballet Des Moines to host rehearsals here instead of having families drive to Des Moines,” smiles Smith. But to make the production possible, she recruited help from Monica St. Angelo at the Grinnell Area Arts Council, and Erin Bustin, the director of the Grinnell School of Music.
According to St. Angelo, Ballet Des Moines intentionally employs local dancers and performers in the area to put on these performances. “Outside of big cities like Chicago and Minneapolis, it is somewhat unusual in the Midwest to have a professional ballet company whose members are paid a living wage,” St. Angelo remarks, who is classically trained in ballet. “But it means jobs for both the professional and local dancers, and so it is important we support them as they consider pursuing a career like this in the future.”
On October 1, tickets dropped — so far, the show has already sold about 300 tickets for a 700-person venue at the Grinnell High School auditorium. “People throw around the word ‘world class,’ but this show is really that,” says Bustin. “Children having the opportunity to dance alongside professional dancers and train alongside them is really unique. For those 30 kids, this is an amazing life experience.”
The economic impact of the show is also expected to be huge. With 1,400 tickets on the line between two shows, people outside of Iowa are already calling ahead to secure their spots, according to St. Angelo. “We’ve been fielding calls for months already from people outside of Iowa who are planning to visit family over the holidays,” she says.
“This show is something the whole community can be excited about — it's a big deal!” laughs Bustin. “With the show’s success, we can expect a return of the Ballet Des Moines to put on a show.” Some businesses are already prepping for the Nutcracker craze — West Side Family Restaurant is offering a Nutcracker special menu that weekend and Bates Flowers by Design already ordered Nutcracker-themed merchandise.
For those wanting to watch the show, tickets are on sale online: $50 general adult admission and $10 child admission. With the help of the three organizations, child tickets were subsidized to support families experiencing a magical night together.
If your business would like to sponsor a part of the Nutcracker to help offset the subsidized ticket prices, contact Erin Bustin at director@grinnellschoolofmusic.org. Any sponsorship support helps! Tickets are on sale now, too and can be purchased for either 7 PM, Saturday, Nov. 29, or 1 PM, Sunday, Nov. 30: https://www.etix.com/ticket/o/193397/nutcrackeringrinnell.
According to Bustin, any seat in the auditorium is a great look at the magical show — plus, handicap accessible entryways and seating means anyone can enjoy the show!
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
In a four-hour car drive to a vacation destination, Tina Saland whipped out her laptop and drew a beautiful peacock with flowing rainbow feathers. The image would later become the logo for her brand-new business, CTS Creative, in Brooklyn, Iowa.
“Many businesses that perform design work have colorful logos,” says Saland, whose company brings designs to life on windows, apparel, and a wide variety of other products. “In my normal life, I usually hate multicolored anything, even lights, but my husband and I love peacocks!” (Plus, the pair have a pet peacock at home.)
Although Saland never formally learned design in school, she has been self-taught for over 15 years, gaining expertise in Adobe products such as Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. “I even took online classes — when I want to learn something, I commit to it. My kids joke that it is my downfall,” smiles Saland.
Then, Saland landed design work for a client while she had some free time. After a few months, she was seriously considering a future in design. “So far, the funnest part for me is watching ideas for designs transform into a business promotional product."
At her Brooklyn storefront (which she shares with her other business, Tina Marie Photography), CTS Creative can do anything — from printing logos on sweatshirts, creating vinyl designs for business windows or cars, designing business cards, or even creating specialized shirts for bachelorette parties (true story!). Saland has also designed stickers for fire departments, as well as apparel highlighting the Brooklyn community.
Before a project gets started, Saland likes to sit down with clients and review ideas of what a logo, design, or product should look like. “I usually do a proof for them so they can adjust it and tell me their vision. For logos, I create about 4-8 variations and the client picks their favorite.” When it comes to apparel, she might have a few questions for you: do you prioritize sizing, comfort, or durability?
Lead time for products is usually between 1-2 weeks (depending on the complexity of the design), and there is no order minimums or maximums required. Plus, no shipping costs on top of reasonable base prices. With the help of her husband, the turnaround time is quick.
“We have partners who help us do embroidery,” explains Saland. “For transfers, my husband basically prints ink onto film and then heat presses it onto a shirt.”
To look at CTS Creative’s full list of products — from leather notebooks to mugs to water tumblers — visit their website, ctscreativeco.com, or call 641-522-7184 if you are ready to bring your brand to life! You can also view Saland’s work on her Facebook page, @CTSCreative, for inspiration on how your business could liven up its design work. And if you’re looking for professional photography, Saland has her own business for that, too, @TinaMariePhotography.
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
Before working in insurance, Dan McCue received a call. McCue was ready for a change — he was working remotely, feeling isolated from the community, and wanting a way to help others. When representative Chad Trimble from American Family Insurance asked him to become an agent, McCue was all in.
Now the head of McCue & Associates - American Family Insurance, he celebrated his inauguration to the Grinnell Chamber with a ribbon cutting and described his insurance company and services.
“Ugh, insurance,” laughs McCue. “Who gets excited about insurance?” But admittedly, he does, he told the Chamber Ambassadors. McCue and Associates, in partnership with American Family Insurance, sells auto, home, life, business, farm, and ranch services. Often, McCue works with customers who regularly rotate out their vehicles, and provides coverage for items susceptible to Iowa’s tornados and fickle weather (like hailstorms), including motorcycles, RVs, boats, and homes.
“Imagine the hail storm without insurance,” McCue told the Chamber Ambassadors. “Whoever owns a home dealt with siding, roof, paint, and window repair jobs. That is an average of $40,000 in damage that can’t be spent locally. Insurance is essentially a promise to restore your property into pre-loss condition.”
At American Family, McCue and Timble noted that agents are service oriented and prioritize one-on-one interactions with clients. “We like to have a grassroots focus and be visible in town,” says Timble. “That’s why we like to have a physical downtown location whenever possible.”
McCue is well resourced under the umbrella of American Family Insurance, which is approaching its 100th year in business. The insurance itself is “plenty large and secure” to provide peace of mind, and has $10+ billion dollars to cover accidents when needed.
Plus, if McCue cannot place a client with their insurance coverage, there are 140 other carriers that American Family can help place clients with. With increasing premiums after Grinnell’s two derecho storms and hailstorms, McCue is ready to take a personal look at your circumstances and provide the best recommendation. And whether you wish to verify insurances you have outgrown or add extra coverage, McCue is accepting clients at 641-236-3311. McCue offers 30 minute consultations, free quotes on his services, and extends regular insurance reviews for his clients. If you are in need to insure your home, a vehicle, or a cool motorcycle, McCue & Associates is here!
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
Jessica Trivedi moved to Grinnell from Chicago in the spring of 2024. She loved it immediately — the intricate architecture, the cozy neighborhoods, and the heart-warming diversity Grinnell College brings.
But she had to start somewhere. So she attended our New Resident Welcome.
“I like that New Resident Welcome is an event where everyone knows you’re new — businesses and volunteer organizations love to talk to you about their work. It really makes you feel like you’re wanted. I remember thinking, ‘This is my place.’”
Trivedi occasionally volunteers at the Louis Sullivan Bank (our Chamber office!) and provides tours. “The biggest advice I have for new residents is to volunteer somewhere that is the right fit. I love architecture and history, so here I am.”
After New Resident Welcome, Trivedi took home a deeper appreciation of Grinnell. “In the world of online shopping, it’s nice to spend money with our local stores and businesses. I get my haircuts with Brandy [at B. Nicole Salon] and do my shopping at McNally’s and Farway.”
Plus, there are cool people all over town. “Walk around and meet your neighbors,” Trivedi suggests. “I found out I live next to a political scientist, a ceramicist, and an art director!”
Register for our New Resident Welcome event on September 25 to connect with locals and new residents over a free meal!
Link: /en/events/new_resident_welcome/
Attention long-standing residents! It is our final push to recruit new Grinnell residents to the Grinnell Chamber’s New Resident Welcome event on September 25 — register them today! As we approach our celebratory event, we are concluding our #SponsorshipSaturday series with Luther Flooring Covering 236 Inc.! They’ll share some of their services and tips for both new and long-standing residents.
The team at Luther Floor Covering is a well-oiled machine. When you walk in, Cassey Cinqmars will take care of you from start to finish with the help of her field team. Together, the team handles installations with a professional touch. “I’m adamant about having prestigious work,” says Cinqmars. Some information and recommendations from Luther:
1. Luther Flooring is 100% behind the community. In the last few years, they’ve sponsored events like Ag Day, the Mayflower’s 75th anniversary celebration, and UnityPoint’s upcoming Unity in the Community Fun Run on Oct. 4. Plus, they helped *cover flooring* (winky face) at some of our favorite local businesses.
2. Concerned about price? No worries — Luther Floor Covering schedules free consultations to thoroughly discuss your flooring options and needs. Plus, receive a *free measure at your house and a free estimate!* The Luther team is also available to consult outside of business hours, including the weekend!
3. Luther Floor Covering doesn’t have a mile radius limit — they’ll travel to Searsborough, Lynnville, Guernsey, Marshalltown, and Newton. No matter where you live, they’ll make sure to understand your vision.
4. Luther’s products range from hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl plank to ceramic tile, carpet tiles, backsplashes, custom showers, fireplaces, and more.
5. Cinqmars recommends using the Grinnell Chamber website to find local events, news, and stories about our business members. She also recommends the Grinnell Farmers Market as a way to directly meet friendly farmer entrepreneurs.
6. Cinqmars’ favorite place? “Definitely Prairie Canary because my youngest daughter works there,” laughs Cinqmars. The blackened salmon sandwich is her favorite! Her daughter also works at the Periodic Table, so “I love to get wine and a charcuterie board there. They’re so good!”
The most fun part about working at Luther is getting to know the customers. “I love getting to know their backgrounds and how they live,” says Cinqmars. I like knowing their favorite colors, why they want certain flooring, and what memories are associated with them.” Explore today's style, designs, and patterns with our New Resident Welcome sponsor today! Hours: Tues.- Fri., 9 AM-5 PM and Sat., 10 AM-2 PM.
