New Small Businesses Move Into Downtown Waterloo

A new downtown Waterloo business is hosting an open house this weekend.

The public is invited to shop and register for door prizes at Iowa Love Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The small business, located at 212 E. 4th St., sells "Iowa Love" apparel and gifts. Main Street Waterloo is holding a ribbon-cutting on Saturday at 4 PM, an event that will feature an appearance by Carson King.

"Being a fourth generation Waterloo-an, I'm truly heartened to see the amazing transformation of downtown," said William Heathershaw, company founder. "It makes a great deal of sense -- both commercially and personally -- for Iowa Love to be part of the community, helping lead the district into the next phase of development."

Saturday's ribbon-cutting will be the third this week involving Main Street Waterloo. The organization hosted two others at the iconic former Masonic Temple building Tuesday afternoon.

One of the ribbon-cuttings marked the completion of the newly-renovated century-old structure at 325 E. Park Ave. The landmark building is located near Lincoln Park in the heart of the city.

As part of a $5 million project, developers created 27 residential units inside the building. The upper two levels of the four-story structure was unused empty space for 100 years.

Tuesday other ribbon-cuting was for the Youth Art Team, which moved its headquarters into the former Masonic Temple building in December.