COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
Towns VINING GROCERY STORE PROJECT: In one of Iowa’s smallest towns stands a grocery store adored by bicyclists, hunters, and pepper tournament enthusiasts. This store is selling much more than the traditional products and services. It is also creating a welcoming space that brings people together. Janice Bazal explains.
HOW WE DID IT: My parents owned it for 35 years and after they passed away I felt I still needed to keep it open. There is no other place for people to go and socialize and grab something to eat.
OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE: To have it open for the coffee drinkers and making sure I get my deliveries.
HOW WE OVERCAME IT: I have great people who help me when I go to work at Amana. I work during the day so a lot falls on them. I couldn’t do it without them. HOW WE DID IT: We wanted to connect and inform residents of information about the city and events. We include city ordinances that are pertinent to the season, a calendar of events, even some recipes. OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE: Finding time. Besides compiling the information each month, it takes a few hours to fold and label each newsletter.
HOW WE OVERCAME IT: I do it at home so as to not take time away from being city clerk. ADVICE TO OTHERS: Make a template to use each month. Encourage suggestions from residents for items to include. WHAT IS NEXT: Expanding to email and allow advertising to defray printing and mailing costs.
ADVICE TO OTHERS: Even though it takes a lot of work and time to keep a small business open, the people you meet and the friendships you form are well worth it.
WHAT IS NEXT: I want to continue having pepper tournaments on Fridays and the bottomless 25 cent coffee every day.
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