Chicagoland Equipment & Supply (CES), a portfolio company of Cooper Management, LLC, and a leading supplier of equipment, supplies and service to the food industry, has acquired United Fast Food & Beverage Service, a leading supplier of equipment and service to convenience stores and fast-food restaurants. The transaction closed on January 5, and an official announcement was made to UFFB’s employees at the company’s Elk Grove headquarters the following day. The acquisition is a continuation of CES’ efforts to expand its equipment offering and service capabilities. Cook M&A (cookma.com)... Read More

Everyone deserves a snow day. How will you play? At family friendly Snowstar in Andalusia, there are endless ways to enjoy fresh powder and the chill of a Midwest winter day. Maybe you start your experience by joining their highly trained teaching staff for a lesson in the basics. Maybe you prefer the challenge of racing down the professionally designed freestyle run. Or maybe you’d rather roast marshmallows from the cozy comfort of the warming hut. Whatever your preference, Snowstar has something for everyone. “No matter who you are or where you’re coming from, we’re going to try to put... Read More

Looking for different dragons to slay than just the ones offering bad pickup lines? A local science-fiction and curio shop is looking to offer “more than just bars and church events” in the area on weekend nights, boasting a slate to ultimately include gaming, trivia nights, dungeons and dragons, Magic and more. Dickens’ Curiosity Shop, 207 W. 2nd St., opened two years ago, and since then has been expanding its universe of collectibles, books and art items for sale on its shelves. Along with that growth has come an expansion of the store’s place in the local entertainment galaxy. “We’re... Read More

If you’re looking to have a substantive impact on someone’s life in this season of generosity, the MCSA gift guide allows you to give a hand up to those in need. The guide, which can be accessed at www.mcsaiowa.org, allows patrons to select a donation amount on behalf of yourself or your loved ones that will help families in need through MCSA. If you request, MCSA will send you a card for each item purchased, allowing you to let your loved ones know you donated to MCSA on their behalf. There are a variety of donation levels and suggested items of greatest need. For example, $176 can shelter... Read More

Looking for different dragons to slay than just the ones offering bad pickup lines? A local science-fiction and curio shop is looking to offer “more than just bars and church events” in the area on weekend nights, boasting a slate to ultimately include gaming, trivia nights, dungeons and dragons, Magic and more. Dickens’ Curiosity Shop, 207 W. 2nd St., opened in 2017, and since then has been expanding its universe of collectibles, books and art items for sale on its shelves. Along with that growth has come an expansion of the store’s place in the local entertainment galaxy. “We’re... Read More

Robots are taking over the streets of Muscatine! No need to worry, it’s not as if alien decepticons are plotting to conquer the city, it’s just two new automated garbage trucks that are prowling the pathways with their robot arms muscling up the refuse. The first of the two was unveiled in December 2015, the second in February 2017, making up two of the five trucks in use for Muscatine. The other three still use the tried-and-true method of human garbage people hanging off the back of the truck, chucking trash into its waiting maw. But this new means of technology means that those far riskier... Read More

You’ll find quaint, cute, fun and funky products more folksy than a dropped “g” at Rustic Pickin’s, a new store that just moved from its old Park Avenue locale to new digs at 225 E. 2nd St., in Muscatine. The location specializes in the suddenly hot market for repurposed items, furniture, housewares and the like. As owners Jackie Petty and Melissa Lowrey put it on their Facebook page, “We use old, forgotten ‘junk’ in unexpected ways. Come to our next show to see what we’re all about.” So, what are they all about? “We’re all about repurposing different materials into new... Read More

Keeping your items safe and secure is what fires up the owners of Blue Flame, a secure storage facility at 18602 County Road in Fruitland, Iowa. How do they achieve that? “We have a very secure storage facility and buildings,” said Rocky Phillips Jr., manager of Blue Flame. “We have one building with temperature controlled units, indoor and outdoor parking, an access controlled gate and cameras all over to keep tabs on everything.” What led them to start up the business? “We noticed there were a lot of storage units in Muscatine and noticed a lot of them were full,” Phillips said. “We... Read More

You’re invited to an amazing FREE fiber educational event! Muscatine Power and Water (3205 Cedar Street Muscatine) presents Fiber Fun Night this Thursday Feb 7 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. Come take a glimpse “behind the curtain” to see just what all the excitement is about. You’ll learn: Helpful How-To’s, hands on demos (see just how fast Gigabit speeds are), answers to common questions, shortcuts and buttons to get the most out of your service, what to expect when you’re expecting an install, Ask a Tech- HelpDesk Heroes will be on hand to help you download the cool new... Read More

Do you ever watch a public speaker from the back of the room and wonder how they do it? How can they stay so calm? How do they remember what to say next? Well, wonder no more! You have what it takes and with a little practice around the right people, you will soon be the one standing proud and confident. Join the Muscatine Toastmasters Club to Improve Your Public Speaking this Monday Feb 4 at the Musser Public Library (408 E 2nd St. Muscatine) in room 104. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:35 p.m. and will last about an hour. Toastmasters is a supportive group of individuals focused on providing... Read More