A Cedar Rapids bike shop plans to take customers and cycling enthusiasts for a ride down memory lane over the next few months in celebration of its 120th year in business.
Halls Bicycle Company, one of the five oldest bike shops nationwide, will open the doors to its second-story bike museum and offer a 45-minute presentation on the history of the shop at least twice over the next two months - and may add events if demand warrants. The first celebration of the shop's heritage is set for Dec. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. with a repeat event to follow in January.
"Being one of the oldest bike shops in the U.S. is something we're pretty proud of," said shop Manager Kyle Moscrip, the fourth generation of Moscrips to be involved with the store, which was founded by Edward Hall in 1898. "It's taken a lot of hard work, dedication and years of being very customer oriented."
The Moscrip family has been involved with the shop since 1914 when Mr. Moscrip's great-grandfather Walter, a telegram delivery boy for Western Union, struck a bargain with Mr. Hall to purchase a bike on credit in order to make speedier deliveries. After getting fired over a misunderstanding with Western Union, Walter worked off his debt sweeping floors and doing odd jobs in the bike shop. He bought Hall Bicycle in January 1929 and it's been a family business ever since.
My Moscrip said the bike museum, located above the shop at 419 Second Ave SE, features 105 models from turn-of-the-century tandems to 1950s and '60s-era Schwinn Deluxes and vintage road bikes from the 1970s. The presentation was developed in partnership with the Marion Heritage Center. For more information or to register, see Hall Bicycles' Facebook page.
It's been a hit in Iowa City, Coralville and Des Moines. Now Cedar Rapids is getting its first look - and taste - of Quinton's Bar & Deli, and Brian Rorris, managing partner of Quinton's Iowa locations, says business has been brisk.
"So far, so good," Mr. Rorris said of traffic at Quinton's newest location on the first floor of the new Metropolitan building in the Kingston Village at 450 First St. "We've had lots of positive feedback, lots of people coming through. People seem excited and we're excited to be here."
Offering up more than 50 beers on tap, specialty drinks like Moscow Mules made with homemade ginger beer and a full menu of hearty fare from burgers to loaded potatoes, Quinton's officially opened their 3,200-square-foot Cedar Rapids location on Monday after a soft opening last weekend.
"It's an awesome space - a brand new build - and a great location with the McGrath Amphitheater across the street," Mr. Rorris said, adding the bar's daily happy hour featuring half-price drinks and $1 off appetizers was a particular draw.
Mr. Rorris said the location currently employs about 20 people, a number that could grow, especially once the weather is pleasant enough to open up the bar and restaurant's 75-seat patio.
Devotay announces new ownership, but same name and cuisine
Kurt Michael Friese mixes a cocktail for a 2015 CBJ feature. PHOTO: BEN OTIS
The owner of popular Iowa City eatery Devotay has announced plans to sell the business, but promises nothing much will change "except the signature on the checks."
Kurt Michael Friese, owner and "chef emeritus" of the restaurant located at 117 N. Linn St., announced the change of hands on Dec. 5 - the same date as Devotay's 21st anniversary doing business in Iowa City. Businessman Mark Paterno will take over ownership on New Year's Eve.
"It took a long time to find the right person," Mr. Friese said in a statement, "because it was vital that Devotay continue as is, with the same great staff, with the dedication to local ingredients and so on. And in Mark, we found that person."
Mr. Paterno, a Realtor with Urban Acres and owner of the Marco's Grilled Cheese cart on the downtown Ped Mall, said in a release that he is "in love with the foods of Spain," and planned to visit the country in February for additional research. Devotay specializes in Spanish paella and tapas - the little snacks that are a staple in bars throughout that country.
Realtor Ryan O'Leary, who helped put the deal together, said he and Mr. Friese worked hard to ensure Devotay's staff and concept would stay in place and turned down proposals that would have gutted the restaurant.
"Really nothing is [going to change] except the signature on the checks and a couple of paintings on the wall," Mr. Friese said. "That's why we are so excited to have made this deal with Mr. Paterno."
Kurt and Kim McWane Friese began Devotay on Dec. 5, 1996, as a small, family concern. The name, which will remain the same, is a combination of the names of their children, Devon and Taylor, who were six and nine years old at the time. It has been a leader in the local foods movement over the past 21 years.
More than 70 small vendors to pack Market at the Mount
More than 70 artisans, crafters, food vendors and other small business people will be on deck at Mount Mercy University's fourth annual holiday Market at the Mount this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hosted by the student Enactus team in the Hennessey Recreation Center Gymnasium, the market will feature refurbished furniture, jewelry, children's books and toys, vegan pastas, quilts, home décor, fused glass art, cupcakes, wood art, stationery, soaps, quilts, and family-friendly activities. Santa Claus will also make an appearance.
Market at the Mount began in 2014 as a teaching tool for students, providing the opportunity for students and vendors to collaborate and learn about best business practices. Focused on community empowerment, Enactus takes no profit from the event. Vendors set up shop free of charge and work with students on skills like product promotion and shop marketing.
"We want to help out the community, and especially small businesses and vendors," said Enactus member Wyatt Cady in a release. "We know that a lot of businesses have a hard time selling their products over winter, and they appreciate every opportunity to sell their goods and products."
The market also gives the community an opportunity to find local, handmade gifts in one location.
This event is free, and all are welcome. Visitors are encouraged to park in the Prairie Drive lot. For a map and directions, see
mtmercy.edu/maps-parking.
Consulting: Work on your business, not in it
In this week's consulting spotlight, K.P. Persaud, of DeKasp Enterprises Inc. and ActionCoach, advises business owners to avid the "spin cycle" of getting caught up in minutiae:
When I hear the expression "work on a business," I envision a business owner in full control. I see a person connected to the business, yet making strategic decisions from a healthy and objective distance. And if tomorrow this individual received an offer he couldn't refuse, he could simply walk away and hand over the keys to the new owner.
By comparison, the expression "work in a business" leads me to envision someone trapped inside their company, unable to escape. This particular business owner is constantly in a spin-cycle, putting out one fire after another and racing to accomplish tasks on a never-ending to-do list. This owner could never sell the business in the shape it's in now - after all, this person is the business.
Given the choice, we all want to be owners who work on our businesses and not in them. But how do we make this transition?
You might be familiar with Michael Gerber's book, "The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work And What To Do About It." The book teaches us the invaluable lesson that to be able to work on our business, we must first view ourselves as three different people in one: The Technician, The Manager and The Entrepreneur. If we are too much of one or not enough of another, our business is destined to fail.
The Technician within us is great at building and delivering the product or service. But just being good at cobbling shoes doesn't mean your business will become the next Zappos, let alone a local shoe store capable of surviving more than a few months.
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Ribbon Cutting: Hilton Garden Inn, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 4:30 p.m., 328 S. Clinton St., Iowa City. Join the Chamber Ambassadors for this ribbon-cutting. Free.
Launch Day 2017, by NewBoCo, 5-8 p.m., Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. See the Iowa Startup Accelerator's 2017 cohort pitch at the Midwest's largest demo day. Doors open at 5 p.m., program begins at 6 p.m. Tickets: $15. To register, visit
newbo.co.
Dec. 8
New Bohemia Open Coffee, by NewBoCo, 8-9 a.m., Roasters Coffeehouse, 1100 Third St. SE,
Cedar Rapids. Join this bi-weekly meeting to discuss entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. Free.
Innovation Ecosystem Tour, by NewBoCo, 3-4 p.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. NewBoCo representatives will offer a public tour of the Geonetric building and some of the innovative things occurring inside, including Vault Coworking, the Iowa Startup Accelerator and Iowa BIG. Free and open to the public. For more information or to register, visit
bit.ly/2wy4Auq.
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
A man is facing charges after hitting a pedestrian and fleeing the scene. The Cedar Rapids Police Department says they were called to Plumb Supply at 4:04 p.m for a report of a pedestrian being struck by a U-Haul pickup. Police determined a suspect inside the truck was allegedly involved in a theft at the store. Employees told the driver, 35-year-old Allen Callanan, to stay there while police were called. Mr. Callanan then attempted to leave, striking a fence and a 45-year-old employee who was standing on the opposite side of the gate. The employee was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. Mr. Callanan was found in the 200 block of Wilson Avenue SW. He is charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and driving while barred.
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
The cold continues today despite plenty of sunshine. Temperatures will just rise into the mid-20s this afternoon and, with a little breeze, wind chills will be in the teens. Under mostly clear skies
tonight, temperatures will fall into the teens.
Friday and
Saturday temperatures will be in the upper 20s to low 30s with a mix of sun and clouds.
On Friday night a weak disturbance will move through the Upper Midwest and a few more flakes will fly in the area. Little to no accumulation of snow is expected, though.
Temperatures will jump up to the upper 30s to low 40s on Sunday. Temperatures will be going back down next week with highs in the 20s and 30s Monday through Wednesday. Another disturbance will move through and lead to a wintry mix/snow on Tuesday of next week.
CR's Hall Bicycle Company still pedaling after 120 years 
