While the July 19, 2018 tornado devasted many businesses, it also allowed the opportunity for expansion and remodeling.

Black Tire Bike Co., 117 W. Main St., has been a staple downtown business since the 1980s when it was Mike’s Bikes. Black Tire was purchased in 2012 by current owners Matt and Cassandra Gerstandt.

“July 19 is one of our busiest days of the year. It’s actually two days before RAGBRAI sets off. We had three employees and two customers here when the tornado happened,” Matt said. “The third floor had collapsed on itself. (The tornado) took off about a third of our roof also, so it’s two floors now.”

The store closed for about two months, reopening at its temporary storefront at the Marshalltown Mall in September 2018. In March 2019, the business was back on Main Street — new and improved.

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ The store was able to double in size thanks to remodeling.

“We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to rebuild in a better capacity. It allowed us to double the space of the store,” Matt said.

The shop’s flooring and walls have been redone, exposing previously hidden poles. A center wall was taken down, which opened up the space.

A wide range of bicycles, helmets, car racks, seats, gloves and related accessories are sold. Matt said work continues on the renovation of three upstairs apartments, as he and his wife also own the building.

“We had one guy ride out the tornado in one of the apartments. No one is living in them now,” he said. “We expect to have them repaired by this summer.”

Chamber Executive Director Lynn Olberding said she is pleased to see so many businesses flourish since the tornado.

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Workers hang pots from the tall ceiling of one of the greenhouses.

“As building and business owners came out of hiding spaces on July 19, they had many decisions in front of them. The fact that so many of our local businesses have made the decision to continue to invest in Marshalltown is a testament to their community pride,” she said.

Isle of Green’s two greenhouses, 1906 E. Church St., made from polycarbonate, didn’t stand a chance against the EF-3 tornado. Its retail store, 609 S. 9th St., did not sustain any damage.

“They were totaled,” co-owner Lorna Finch said. “(Staff) is behind but catching up.”

Finch and her husband Steve were on vacation when they received messages about their business, rushing back to see the destruction in person.

One greenhouse was completely in ruins, while the second was partially leveled.

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Isle of Green’s two greenhouses, 1906 E. Church St., made from polycarbonate, didn’t stand a chance against the EF-3 tornado. One greenhouse was completely in ruins, while the second was partially leveled. Both have been rebuilt.

“We had mums sitting outside and not one mum pot was tipped over, but the plants inside were just a mess,” co-owner Bob Hessenius said.

The business was founded in 1968 by Steve’s dad Roger Finch.

“It was first called Midwest Hydroponics. We grew tomato hydroponics,” Lorna said.

The greenhouses only grow plants sold to retailers (and are stocked in its store). They are 36,000 square feet and 25,000 square feet in size — slightly smaller than the previous ones.

“Everything was leveled, so we had to purchase more land so we could rebuild,” Hessenius said. “We had to clean up, level the ground, get builders in, add furnaces, hook up water and drippers for the baskets, put in wiring for fans, etc.”

It’s been a game of catch up ever since.

“When you go back and look at where we were in July and where we are now, it’s a lot,” Hessenius said.

He said no person was in either greenhouse when the tornado struck.

“If the tornado would have happened in May, we would have had 15-20 people running around, with it full of plants,” he said.

Lorna said the retail store is getting more supply in each week, making up for lost time.

“Supporting tornado-impacted businesses sends a message of gratitude for reopening after such a devastating incident changed Marshalltown’s landscape,” Olberding said.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com