December 24, 2025
Local NewsState & National

2025 in review: Business

By Staff report
The Creston Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for new business Wrenlee Rhae's Boutique on Tuesday.

The Creston Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for new business Wrenlee Rhae's Boutique in August. (Erin Henze)

This is the first in a five-part series for the CNA’s year in review.

Remodels, reopenings and brand-new stores all had their time to shine in Union County in 2025.

TML Nails & Spa held their grand opening in March.

TML Nails & Spa held their grand opening in March. (CNA file photo )

TML Nails & Spa

In March, the Creston Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for TML Nails & Spa, located at 214 W. Montgomery St. Opened by Jonny Tran, TML offers a variety of services, including pedicures, manicures and waxing.

The Montgomery Street spa is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Sweet Afton Creamery is a local tradition for the city of Afton, and a great place to stop for a sweet treat for visitors who drive through the city.

The Sweet Afton Creamery is a local tradition for the city of Afton, and a great place to stop for a sweet treat for visitors who drive through the city. (CNA photo by NICK PAULY)

Afton Sweet Creamery

With new owners comes a name change for Afton’s creamery. Mindy and David Jones bought the shop and reopened it under the name Afton Sweet Creamery. Previous owners Terrinda and Jerry McIntire called it the Sweet Afton Creamery. The shop officially opened under its new name May 15.

Though now closed for winter months, the ice cream shop is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3 to 8 p.m on Sundays during the summer. Afton Sweet Creamery is located at 302 N. Douglas St. in Afton.

Rick Benson and Les Elliott are co-owners of Creston Automotive, which will be closing May 22.

Rick Benson and Les Elliott are co-owners of Creston Automotive, which will be closing May 22. (Erin Henze)

Creston Automotive

After 61 years of service to the Creston community, Creston Automotive closed its doors May 22. First opened by the Burton Blazek and Harry Schlapia families in 1964, it was owners Rick Benson and Les Elliott who decided to say goodbye.

“With Rick nearing retirement and wanting to spend more time with family and Les wanting to transition into a different career, we made the decision to look for potential buyers in the last year or so,” a Facebook post from May 1 read. “While we thought, on multiple occasions, that we had the right buyer to continue the dealership on, ultimately and unfortunately, that didn’t work out. From that point on, we made the incredibly difficult decision to move forward with this path.”

Creston Automotive was the only Ford dealership in town. The closest dealer is now Fleetside Ford in Osceola.

Wrenlee Rhae’s Boutique

A Western boutique joined Uptown Creston in August with the opening of Wrenlee Rhae’s Boutique. Owner Shelby Bishop Fenton said the shop has been a dream of hers since high school.

Wrenlee Rhae’s Boutique is located at 104 N. Maple St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Willow Thompson prepares to cut the ribbon during the Creston Chamber of Commerce's grand opening for Esthetics by Willow Lee.

Willow Thompson prepares to cut the ribbon during the Creston Chamber of Commerce's grand opening for Esthetics by Willow Lee. (Erin Henze)

Esthetics by Willow Lee

In October, Uptown Creston welcomed another new business - Esthetics by Willow Lee. However, owner Willow Thompson is far from new in Creston. She had previously partnered at Vitality Aesthetics and Paisley Rose Boutique to share her art.

Thompson provides lash and brow services, face waxing, spray tans, facial treatments and will soon add airbrush makeup to the lineup. Services are by appointment only. Esthetics by Willow Lee is located at 230 N. Pine St.

The Creston Walmart held their grand reopening in November.

The Creston Walmart held their grand reopening in November. (CNA file photo)

Walmart reopens

For almost six months, the Creston Walmart was under major renovations, one of ten in Iowa to receive this upgrade. Updates included renovations to the store layout, restrooms, service areas, exterior finishes, refrigeration systems, lighting and front-end registers.

While the store hosted their grand reopening in November, one of the most sought after changes, a refinished parking lot, won’t come until this spring. In early 2026, the parking lot will be undergoing a full re-paving.

Creston