August 5, 2024 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) — Thyme & Spice Co. in Burlington topped four competitors in a statewide pitch contest in Cedar Rapids on Monday evening. Five small businesses from Main Street Iowa districts received $50,000 in state grants after successfully pitching their expansion ideas before a panel of judges, part of the final round of Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business contest. The awards were presented by Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority.

Travis and Ashlyn Long, who opened Thyme & Spice Co. in 2021, won a $20,000 grant to expand their modern version of a spice and tea shop. They plan to use the money to introduce a refill program for their line of olive oils and vinegars. Customers can sample products before they buy, and empty bottles can be exchanged at the store for a discount on their next purchase.

Other winners and their awards include:

• First runner-up, Goldfinch Tap + Eatery, Marion, $10,000.
• First runner-up, Holtz Service & Small Engine, Avoca, $10,000.
• Second runner-up, BlueMoon Holistic Wellness, Nevada, $5,000.
• Second runner-up, Corning Family Chiropractic, Corning, $5,000.

Read more about the five finalists. Thyme & Spice Co. earned another $1,000 for People’s Choice, selected by audience vote. The additional category, sponsored by the event’s host city of Cedar Rapids and The District: Czech Village & New Bohemia, was introduced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Open 4 Business. This year’s contest drew 20 applicants. Of those, 12 were invited to interview virtually with a panel of judges, who then selected five finalists.

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs.