Latest news with #JessicaRish
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa's Big Grove Brewery is headed south, revealing plans for Kansas City taproom
Big Grove Brewery's reach is expanding beyond Iowa borders. The eastern Iowa-based brewery announced plans to open its sixth location in the suburbs of the Kansas City metro on the Kansas side. The new taproom is the third state Big Grove will have a physical presence in, joining its four Iowa locations and a soon-to-open facility in Omaha, Nebraska. The Nebraska taproom is slated to open in June, featuring Big Grove Coffee Co. More: Big Grove Brewery distributes $48K to organizations in Johnson, Linn and Polk Counties Big Grove got its start in Solon before quickly expanding to Iowa City. The beer conglomerate known for its popular Easy Eddy beer also has taprooms in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The exact location of the Kansas City location has not been released, but the anticipated opening date is scheduled for the summer of 2026. The Kansas taproom will feature the same charms as the other locations, including a large patio space, on-site brewing, and a full-service kitchen. More: Big Grove Brewery pours support into communities with new micro-grant program, beer release Since opening in 2013, Big Grove Brewery has become a top 100 craft brewery, distributing its beverages in six states: Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas. Big Grove has received multiple craft brewing medals from the Great American Beer Festival for fan-favorite brews, including the Easy Eddy and Citrus Surfer. The 12,000-square-foot, 15-barrel Des Moines taproom opened in 2022 on the outskirts of downtown. Cedar Rapids joined the fray in 2023 with a 21,000-plus square foot, 15-barrel facility with an open fermentation room. Along with adding taprooms in neighboring states, the fast-growing brewery is offering store directors the opportunity to become company owners at its various taproom locations. This strategic initiative deepens the Big Grove's 'commitment to local leadership, employee empowerment, and building community-rooted taprooms.' More: Celebrate Johnson County's top students in the Press-Citizen's Student of the Year polls ' The ownership model will debut with the Omaha location, followed by Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Solon, and Kansas City. 'We believe the best way to grow is by growing together,' said Doug Goettsch, co-founder of Big Grove Brewery, in a press release. 'Our team members are the soul of this company, and offering them this opportunity to build equity in their stores is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest back into our people.' Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa's Big Grove Brewery reveals plans for Kansas City taproom
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From the Friday Night Concert Series to drive-in cinema, 4 things to do in Iowa City this weekend
While the University of Iowa's commencement ceremonies bring the class of 2025 and their families to town, Iowa City welcomes the return of weekly summer favorites and other events. Here are four ways to enjoy the weekend in Iowa City. Friday: May marks the beginning of the Summer of the Arts festival season. Kicking off the slate of summer fun is The Friday Night Concert Series, which showcases the vibrant and diverse local music scene. The Iowa Steel Band is a touring ensemble from the University of Iowa School of Music. The concert will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, on the Ped Mall stage. More: Spring into Iowa City's busiest concert season with these 8 can't-miss shows Saturday: The Iowa City Farmers' Market will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp. Browse dozens of local vendors selling local produce, meats, specialty foods, handcrafted artisanal items, and small business wares. The traditional jazz band the Brick Street Ramblers, will provide music at the market. More: Looking ahead to summer? Here's what Iowa City has planned for concerts, festivals in 2025 Saturday: New to the Summer of the Arts lineup is Drive-In Movies at the Hangar, previously known as the Free Movie Series. The monthly event screens movies at the Iowa City Municipal Airport. A showing of "Moana 2" will kick off the series about 30 minutes after sundown, around 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. More: Meet the latest nominees for the Iowa City Press-Citizen Student of the Week Saturday: FilmScene's 'Stories of Community' amplifies Iowa City's various voices through a series of short films commissioned with the help of Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City. The organizations will host a free screening at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Chauncey location. The screenings will be followed by a short conversation with the filmmakers and participants, along with a reception and a chip and dip cook-off. Guests are encouraged to RSVP ahead of time. Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: What's happening in Iowa City this weekend? Live music and movies
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Johnson Co. organizations partner to offer significant grants for underrepresented businesses
Greater Iowa City Inc., Community Foundation of Johnson County, and South of 6 are teaming up to offer grants to historically underrepresented small businesses in Johnson County. The final round of ARPA(American Rescue Plan Act)-funded grants will award businesses with $3,500 to $20,000, for essential 'growth and stability' assistance. Two categories of grants are available until April 30. The operational support grant will help cover essential costs like payroll, rent, and utilities. The storefront improvements grant will help fund façade updates, interior renovations, or accessibility upgrades. Grant awardees will be announced in June. More: This blossoming coffee shop 'gem' has rebranded in Johnson County. What to know: 'We want to ensure that the small business owners who have been traditionally underrepresented have an opportunity to get the support they need," said Maurice Davis, Executive Director of the South of 6 Business District, in a news release. "This grant helps them rebuild and move forward stronger.' To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit, located in Johnson County, and at least 50% owned by individuals from underserved groups, such as BIPOC, women, people with disabilities (as defined by the ADA), LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, or refugees. Applicants must also demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on their business, according to the online application. Greater Iowa City Inc., Community Foundation of Johnson County, and South of 6 are also hosting in-person information sessions. Each session will have laptops, on-site childcare, bus passes, and a $25 stipend for completing the application. More: Portions of Iowa City's biggest parking garage may close in the next few months. What to know: The first session was held on Thursday, April 10. The next session is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at the Coralville Public Library, while the final session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at the North Liberty Library. Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: How to apply for Johnson County's underrepresented business loans
