Eager to show their wares to more customers, the two stocked their business — Oliver Beene Designs — with customized silk arrangements, gnomes and more.

They will host a “soft” opening from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.

“Everyone is welcome,” Lora said.

She emphasized all silk arrangements are customized.

A display of popular and whimsical gnomes from Oliver Beene Designs are in the store at the Meadow Lane Shopping Center Wednesday. Co-owner Lora Braudis said they have been one the businesses’ most popular online items.

“They are not pre-made in China.”

Customers will find baby clothes, candles, home decor, seasonal and unique gift items and more.

“In the retail world, we are promoting and selling spring now,” Lora said, while looking over the large selection of flowers.

Special to the store is dishwasher-safe CAUS mugs and tumblers. CAUS is a line of stainless steel drinkware that donates 25 percent of all profits to charities to make a positive change throughout the world, according to its website.

“CAUS is a company started in 2018,” Rhonda said. “Twenty-five percent of sales go to benefit organizations one designates to CAUS. I choose animal rescue, breast cancer awareness and stopping human trafficking.”

In June she will add aid to military families.

“We are excited about carrying CAUS,” Rhonda said.

Lora and Rhonda owned and operated Christmas in the Country on Garwin Road north of Marshalltown but the opportunity to move to a suite in the well-known, high-traffic Meadow Lane Shopping Center was next.

Previously, they owned and operated the business online from Blue Springs, Mo.

The move to Marshalltown and Garwin Road came in September, after Rhonda was hired as the E-911 Communications Director for the Marshalltown Police Department.

Rhonda emphasized Lora will be the face of the business, since her top priority is managing E-911 operations.

Meanwhile, the two have been impressed with Marshalltown’s strong community involvement and its ability to rally post-tornado.

So how was the business name selected?

“Oliver Beene was formed by taking the name of our dog, Oliver, and Rhonda’s maiden name, Beene,” Lora said with a hearty laugh.

After Friday, the two will work on the business website and prepare for the store’s Jan. 28 grand opening which is sponsored by the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact Lora at 816-288-4550 or visit its Facebook page.

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Contact Mike Donahey

at 641-753-6611 or

mdonahey@timesrepublican.com