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Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from the tri-state area. In addition to this development from Manchester, Iowa, we will share other news in Tuesday’s edition.
MANCHESTER, Iowa — Kerry Tucker’s new Delaware County business has been decades in the making.
The Manchester-based artisan has honed his woodworking skills since he was a child, perfecting various cuts and corners and intertwining his projects with a personal preference for locally sourced or recycled materials.
With the recent opening of Renewed Visions — Across the Bridge, a new woodworking shop and retail space in Manchester, Tucker now can show those skills off — literally.
“I put this big window between the retail area and the woodworking space because a lot of people don’t know what all goes into making a solid piece of furniture,” Tucker said. “I wanted it to be a sort of experience where they could learn.”
Renewed Visions opened last month at 105 S. Main St. and is co-owned by Tucker and his fiancée, Kelley Harbach. In addition to featuring Tucker’s own work, the retail store also offers a variety of other items from over a dozen local vendors.
One shelf is full of paintings while another holds rows of candles and soap. Wooden furniture stained in shades from pale white to deep brown fill the store while holding displays of handmade jewelry or pottery.
“Pretty much everything is made in Iowa,” Tucker said. “It was important to me to support local vendors and our small-town community.”
The past month has proved fruitful, Tucker said, and the business has received a warm welcome from the Manchester community.
Moving forward, Tucker plans to keep a good rotation of items in the store to ensure customers always can find something new and exciting. He also hopes to engage in community outreach and is considering hosting classes for area youth.
“I want to make something that offers something for every member of the community,” he said. “… Creating that excitement and atmosphere has been awesome, and everyone who walks in the door has shared that feeling.”
Renewed Visions — Across the Bridge is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. More information on the store and Tucker’s custom orders can be found online at renewed-visions.com.