TUESDAY, SEPT. 13, 2016  |  IN THIS ISSUE 

 
Story1CRST acquires largest California-based truckload carrier

Gardner, the largest truckload carrier based in California, provides regional truckload freight services, logistics, drayage and warehouse services for the bulk and commodity markets, the company said. It primarily serves customers in the paper and packaging, food and beverage, wood products, and metal and plastic container industries.

"The acquisition of Gardner Trucking further complements CRST's service offerings through Gardner's expertise in short-haul local markets, as well as drayage and warehousing," CRST International CEO and President Dave Rusch stated in a press release. "We are thrilled to be working with the Lanting family on this acquisition and look forward to growing Gardner's operations in its markets."

Tom Lanting, the previous owner of Gardner Trucking, will continue to serve as president. In a press release, he said Gardner's team looks forward to joining CRST's family of companies.

Mr. Rusch said the Gardner acquisition will bring improved fleet utilization and increased operating efficiencies for CRST, and allow the company to enter new transportation segments through Gardner's customer base.

CRST has a goal of reaching $2 billion in annualized revenues by 2018. In the past several years, CRST has acquired Specialized Transportation Inc., Allied Special Products (the specialized division of North American Van Lines), BESL Transfer Company, and most recently, Pegasus Transportation.
Story2Bark & Bloom owners plan downtown Iowa City store

Bark & Bloom's shop at the NewBo City Market. Courtesy barkandbloom.com. 
Moss, a shop specializing in living plant arrangements and gifts, will open this fall in downtown Iowa City in the former home of Whitey's Ice Cream.

Created by the owners of Bark & Bloom at the NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, Moss is expected to open Nov. 1 at 112 E. Washington St. It will offer a varying selection of house plants and succulents for homes.
 
"We're kind of rebranding with the new standalone store, which is why we selected the name 'Moss,'" said Ann Armitage, who owns and operates Bark & Bloom with spouse Alan Peterka. "We want to get the floral arrangements out of the name."
 
In addition to selling live plants, Moss will offer workshops and classes in terrarium design, fairy gardens and other houseplant topics. 
 
Ms. Armitage and Mr. Peterka chose the new location after hearing repeatedly from customers at NewBo Market that the store would be well-received in Iowa City.  The store will occupy 800 square feet of ground floor space, and will include an area with seating for classes.
 
Bark & Bloom will remain at NewBo City Market, where its sales have reportedly been growing. Market Director Scott Kruger said Bark & Bloom's attractive display of plants made it a good entry-point for the market, and that Ms. Armitage has continued to refine and expand the business over her four years at the market.
 
Construction in progress on Northtowne Market on Blairs Ferry Road NE 
Gander Mountain announced plans Monday to replace its existing outdoor lifestyle and sports store in Cedar Rapids with a superstore that will anchor the new Northtowne Market shopping center on Blairs Ferry Road.
 
The new 52,000-square-foot store will replace a 31,080-square-foot Gander Mountain store at 2140 Edgewood Road SW, which was built in 2000. The new store will feature one of the largest selections of new and used firearms in Iowa, along with gear for hunting, fishing, camping and archery.

"We are thrilled to bring a new, bigger and better Gander Mountain store to Cedar Rapids, and to give our friends in Eastern Iowa the best experience when they're looking for top-quality gear and knowledgeable service," President Derek Siddons said in a press release.
 
Gander Mountain is the first of what are expected to be many retail announcements in the 35-acre Northtowne Market mixed-use development. The Hunter Companies project is revitalizing an area that was formerly home to a Nash-Finch distribution center and an adjacent concrete plant.

"The location of this project on Blairs Ferry Road, within about a mile of Interstate 380, represents a tremendous opportunity for Northtowne Market, and we are looking forward to seeing the economic benefits this project brings to Cedar Rapids" said Hunter Parks, Hunter Companies' president. "Gander Mountain is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts and we are excited to have them as an anchor of this new development."
Story4Unique fundraisers connect Corridor nonprofits, community 
A team competes during Aug. 6's Pulling for Honor event at the Eastern Iowa Airport. 
PHOTO/LEE MILLER 
Whether it's dogs in a swimming pool, or a team of co-workers pulling a jet down the runway, the Creative Corridor is living up to its name when it comes to fundraising.

Richard Koontz, director of the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center at the University of Iowa, says unique events help build a social and emotional bond with a nonprofit's members while they fundraise.

"You want to build up a constituency," Mr. Koontz said.

Unique fundraisers help keep supporters interested and coming back, rather than generating a one-time donation or gift, he said, and that's the goal.

Although many groups have a signature fundraising event, Mr. Koontz urges scheduling events throughout the year to keep the money coming in and supporters engaged.

"The message is always 'diversify your fundraising,'" he said. "You are always going to have cash flow issues."

And while many fundraising events are highly creative, Mr. Koontz said there's one that almost everyone seems to use: the golf fundraiser. He marvels at how many charities use it.

"That's the one that's taken off in the last 20 years," he said.

Read the full story, and about a sampling of creative fundraisers from around the Corridor, at www.corridorbusiness.com.
Head5Alleyway fashion show coming to Iowa City Sept. 17 
 
Iowa City fashion brands Born Leaders United and Jessie Zhao are partnering with Buzz Salon to produce "The Unique" fashion show on the Pedestrian Mall on Sept. 17.
 
Set in the alleyway next to Buzz Salon, located on the ground level of the Park@201 building, the show will be a combination of fashion and the arts, including break dancing and live graffiti in front of the runway. Art pieces created during the show will be auctioned off for a chosen cause.
 
"I am excited to present our community an amazing production including graffiti, breakdancing, fashion, original and live music in a space that is not typical for the creation of art, hence making it unique," Andre' Wright, founder of Born Leaders United, stated in a press release.
 
Born Leaders United is a local clothing and lifestyle brand emphasizing positivity. It is set to launch its B.L.U. World Collection in Asia next month.
 
The show is scheduled to run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Andre' Wright at (319) 541-9790 or [email protected]. 


CORRECTION
A brief in yesterday's Business Daily newsletter misidentified Highway Equipment Co. President and CEO Rocki Shepard. She currently operates the company with Chairman Matt Rissi. We regret the error. 
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EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner
 
Sept. 13 
John R. Hughes Lecture Series - Jeff Hoffman, by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, 5-7 p.m., Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. This annual event is named after the former Hills Bank president, John R. Hughes, who helped the company grow throughout the Corridor. This year's speaker is Jeff Hoffman, who has been a part of a number of well-known companies such as Priceline.com, uBid.com, ColorJar and more. Free. Register online at http://www.iowajpec.org/hugheslecture/.
 
Sept. 14  
1 Million Cups: AMP'd Cycles and Girls With Ideas, by 1 Million Cups Iowa City/Cedar Rapids, 9-10 a.m., FilmScene, 118 E. College St., Ste. 101, Iowa City. In September, the Iowa Startup Accelerator 2016 Cohort teams will each give a six-minute presentation to mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs for feedback. Free. For more information, visit 1millioncups.com or iowastartupaccelerator.com.
 
Expert Edge Seminar Series, by the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hills Bank, Trust and Wealth Management, 590 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty. Learn about time management ideas. Cost: $25 for members and $40 for non-members. Register online at bit.ly/2b93e02.
 
International Trade Agreements: An Iowa Perspective, by the International Traders of Iowa and the Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber, 5:30 p.m., The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd., Cedar Rapids. Speaker Kathy Hill, team leader and marketing manager of the IDEA International Trade Office, will discuss how trade agreements affected Iowa, the TPP Agreement, and how companies can get help navigating trade agreements. Appetizers, soft drinks and a cash bar will be provided. Free. Register online at bit.ly/2bRBICe.
Headlines from CBS 2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS 2/FOX 28  
 
The Cedar Rapids Police Department have confirmed that one person was killed in an officer-involved shooting Monday night. The 25-year-old male suspect was pronounced dead at St. Luke's Hospital. Officers were first called out to the Valley High Apartments on Edgewood Road NW for a domestic disturbance. The suspect's name is not being released until family is notified. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is now investigating the shooting. The names of the officer's involved in Monday night's shooting have yet to be released. 
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS 2/FOX 28 
CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails'  Weather First Forecast
 
A cold front will push through the area this afternoon. Because of this, showers are possible on a widely scattered basis throughout the day today and into the evening. Temperatures will be on the cool side today and tonight with upper 60s to lower 70s. As mentioned above, showers end by late tonight as cooler and drier air settles in behind the front. Some clearing will allow temperatures to drop into the upper 40s to low 50s by Wednesday morning.