Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, July 28, 2005

Summer has meant a new crop of businesses, business locations or business owners in Mount Ayr.

There are three new business locations just off the Mount Ayr square which are homes to businesses -- some new and some changing locations. In addition, a new business location along Highway 2 and 169 is again being used. There is also a new business owner and a Mount Ayr business ending its run this summer.

The new businesses are The Rock Shop and Frosty's Ice Cream Shoppe. Businesses in new locations include The Cottage and Country By Design. Forget-Me-Not Flowers and Gifts has a new owner and Mount Ayr Furniture is closing.

That's a lot of change in the business for the community in a few short weeks.

 The two new businesses in Mount Ayr are new businesses in old locations.

The Rock Shop, owned by Eric CARLSON, who owns The Lodge as well, opened in mid-July. The site of the business at 102 E. Madison had not had a business for a number of years, but long-time residents will remember it as the location of the former Lucky Lanes bowling alley.

CARLSON is turning a hobby into a business with the new store, which is open on Wednesdays each week. Rocks, gems, minerals, fossils, shells and jewelry will be featured at the shop.

Frosty's Ice Cream Shoppe is the new business in the location of the former Mount Ayr Diner. Kahled and Rhonda ABDULLAH have remodeled the former diner into an ice cream shop featuring Blue Bunny hard ice cream, soft ice cream and frozen yogurt.

ABDULLAH said that the need for a place for families to get out was evident to him during the snow days last winter.

"We wanted to make a family fun center where children could come to play and families could come to have a good time," ABDULLAH said. "We hope we have created a great place for children's birthday parties too."

Besides the ice cream treats, the menu features salads, sandwiches and appetizers and pizza can be brought from Breadeaux Pizza, which the family also owns, for special occasions.

The shop will be open seven days a week year round.

New locations for businesses already part of the community have come on two new gift shop locations on Monroe Street just east of the square.

  The Cottage, located at 205 E. Monroe Street, is the new home for the craft and gift shop owned by Gina STILL. The shop features STILL'S hand-painted signs and gift items, candles and more. STILL previously sold her items in the front part of the New 2U Store on the east side of the square in Mount Ayr.

Moving the business to the house next door to where she and her family live provides more room and a different ambiance than in the old location.

  Country By Design is the gift shop owned by Keith and Jamie MILLER and has moved from its old location at the Mount Ayr Veterinary Clinic along Highway 2 and 169 to the new location at 103 E. Madison Street. The building adjoins Mount Ayr city hall to the east and at one time was the law office of Arlen HUGHES and the home of Ringgold Abstract.

Building owners George and Lynette KNIGHT have remodeled the building for the new store location.

The store features the homemade barn board craft items that MILLER makes herself along with candles, bath and body products and other contry home interior items. Also featured will be a coffee shop where gourmet coffees will be sold for home used and coffee, espresso and fruit drinks will be served. Fudge and some other food items will also be featured.

Business ownership changes are coming at Forget-Me-Not Flowers and Gifts and Mount Ayr Furniture.

Forget-Me-Not Flowers and Gifts has been sold by Cindy MITCHELL to Tammy CREVELING effective the first of August. CREVELING will continue the flower and gift shop that MITCHELL has run for many years.

MITCHELL Jewelry Store next door to Forget-Me-Not Flowers and Gifts has not been sold and will continue to offer its lines of jewelry, watches and crystal.

Mount Ayr Furniture, owned by Jake DAILEY, is in the process of being liquidated as the long-time business closes its doors. An auction was held Saturday to close out items from the business. The building north of the square on Taylor Street has been sold as a residence.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, September 08, 2005

Ribbon cuttings were held at three Mount Ayr businesses Friday to welcome new owners or new locations.

At left, a ribbon cutting was held at the new home for Country By Design; front row from left: Cindy Mitchell, Jodie Wurster, Jamie Miller, Dr. Keith Miller and Lois Ibbotson; back row, from left: Rick Nielsen, Vicki Sickels and Marlene Tull.

At right, a ribbon cutting was held at Forget-Me-Not Flowers and Gifts where Tammy Creveling is the new owner. From left: Rick Nielsen, Lois Ibbotson, Jodie Wurster, Marlene Tull, Tammy Creveling, Vicki Sickels, Linda Bullock, Cindy Mitchell and Ed Shields.

  New owners of Hot-Shot Bait and Tackle, the fishing tackle shop at 108 E. Madison, in Mount Ayr, are Lonnie and Diane Huntsman. At the ribbon cutting, front row from left: Cindy Mitchell, Jodie Wurster, Lonnie Hunstman, Diane Huntsman and Lois Ibbotson. Back row, from left: Rick Nielsen, Vicki Sickels and Marlene Tull.

NOTE: Hot-Shot Bait and Tackle was formerly Skeeter's Tackle.

 Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2012