CHARLES CITY PRESS | WWW.CHARLESCITYPRESS.COM | FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025 Businesses start, move and expand in past year in Charles City For The Press Charles City saw a wave of business activity in 2024, with progress: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY C3
Zanzibar Chocolate. Beyond ice cream, Dean’s Treats offers Valley Fudge from Coon Valley, Wisconsin, which is available in a variety of fl avors. The shop is also developing new menu items, including slop- py joes, a pizza-inspired dish and mac and cheese. “We want to offer something different than what you can get anywhere else,” Davidson said. Davidson employs 10 part- time workers, mostly high school students and said he enjoys see- ing the shop become a gathering place. “It’s cool to see people hanging out in the park across the street after coming into the shop,” he said. “That’s part of what we were hoping for – a local town feeling.” NIGHTMARE AUTHENTICS Halloween came early to Main Street when Jonathan Miller opened Nightmare Authentics, a store dedicated to horror movie memorabilia and collectibles. Miller, a longtime horror fan, has spent a decade collecting autographs and rare items from horror conventions across the country. “I’m an autograph chaser,” Miller said. “People send me items to get signed and I do the same for them at shows I can’t attend.” His store features signed mem- orabilia from fi lms like “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Scream” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” One of his prized possessions is a canoe from Friday the 13th, signed by more than 30 actors. Nightmare Authentics also carries horror movie masks, fi gurines, books and even hor- ror-themed coffee blends and hot sauce. Miller is also working on a private-label wine line and has partnered with a Florida company to produce a custom horror coffee blend. Miller operates the shop while working full-time as a social worker. “I moved my of fi ce down here, so when I’m not out seeing cli- ents I can be here,” he said. Store hours are fl exible, but if the open sign is on, customers are wel- come. MUAMBA FINANCIAL SERVICES Bovic Muamba’s fi nancial journey began in the Democrat- ic Republic of Congo, where he
worked in diamond mines to af- ford his education. After immigrating to the U.S. through the Diversity Visa Lot- tery, he worked multiple jobs – including dishwashing at Piz- za Ranch – while pursuing his dream of becoming a fi nancial professional. Muamba overcame language barriers and fi nancial hardships to graduate from NIACC with a degree in business administration. After working at Mitas Tire and Cambrex, he earned his fi nan- cial licenses in all 50 states and launched Muamba Financial Ser- vices, based in his home of fi ce. His fi rm specializes in business consulting, retirement planning, life insurance and tax-free in- vestment strategies. Muamba’s services include college funding assistance, estate planning and debt management, helping clients achieve fi nancial security and long-term wealth building. Muamba also gives back to his home community in the Congo, using a portion of his earnings to support education and economic projects. “There is no harvest without sowing and growing,” he said. “My journey, marked by thorns and roses, will hopefully inspire others to succeed despite chal- lenges.” TRUE VINE COUNSELING Ingrid Tutu launched True Vine Counseling, a private Chris- tian-based counseling service, on Oct. 21. With more than 20 years of ex- perience in special education and behavioral support, Tutu said she saw a growing need for mental health services in the area. Her practice specializes in helping children, families and in- dividuals dealing with behavior- al challenges, grief and marriage struggles. Tutu holds a master’s degree in educational psychology from Texas A&M University and is a board-certi fi ed Christian coun- selor. She said she fi rst considered opening a counseling center 10 years ago after moving to Charles City, when she saw how over- whelmed the social work system had become. Parents often told her that while school-based interventions helped their children, they struggled to manage behavior at home. “The most challenging part of this work is setting boundaries be- cause the need is so great,” Tutu said. “But the best part is feeling
new ventures, relocations and ex- pansions spanning multiple indus- tries. From fi nancial services and retail to food, recycling and pro- fessional services, these business- es have brought new options and opportunities to the community. RIVER BEND TAXES Scott and Marian Dight launched River Bend Taxes, marking a return to tax prepara- tion at their familiar Beck Street of fi ce. The mother-and-son team had previously worked together in tax services but stepped away after selling their former business. When their non-compete agree- ments expired, they decided it was time to start fresh. Scott brings 32 years of tax preparation experience, while Marian has 18 years in the indus- try. Their goal is to provide year- round service, ensuring help is available outside of tax season. River Bend Taxes offers in- dividual income tax preparation and consulting, with an option for clients to have fees deducted from their refunds. Scott is currently the sole tax preparer, assisted by four part-time receptionists who rotate shifts. The of fi ce operates Monday through Saturday, with extended evening hours after March. The name “River Bend Taxes” re fl ects the Dights’ connection to the community. “I wanted something that wasn’t just ‘Charles City’ or ‘Ce- dar River’ but spoke to the broad- er area,” Marian said. “All of the surrounding towns have a river, except Rudd, which has a lake. The more we talked about it, the more it just seemed to fi t.” DEAN’S TREATS Dean’s Treats, an ice cream shop developed by Dave David- son, opened downtown on July 1, bringing a new sweet spot to Charles City. Located next to his Dean Jew- elers store, the shop provides a nostalgic, family-friendly space to enjoy high-quality ice cream. Dean’s Treats serves Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream from Madi- son, Wisconsin, a premium brand known for its rich, high-butterfat fl avors. “They make over 100 fl avors and deliver to us every two weeks,” Davidson said. The shop rotates 16 fl avors, with bestsellers like Superman, Birth- day Cake, Praline Pecan and
Contributed photo The Charles City Chamber Ambassadors recenlty stopped by River Bend Taxes to congratulate Scott Dight and his mother Marian Dight, middle and middle right, on the opening of their law of fi ce.
Submitted photo Chamber Ambassadors congratulate Bovic Muamba on the opening of his new fi nancial advisory business.
like I am being the hands and feet of Christ, doing God’s work using the gifts He’s blessed me with.” ENJOY-RECYCLE-REPEAT Seeing a growing demand for bottle and can redemption ser- vices, Jeremy Pettus and LeeAn- na Leslie opened Enjoy-Recy- cle-Repeat on Fisher Street. The redemption center provides a welcoming environment where customers can recycle their con- tainers while enjoying a friendly atmosphere. “We want people to feel like family when they come in,” Pettus said. “We have music or something on TV and people love to check out our bearded dragon and cats. It’s a relaxed, fami- ly-friendly place.” The business operates with four employees and is backed by co-owner and investor Rob Tal- bot, who also owns the building. The center accepts glass, alu- minum and plastic beverage con- tainers and uses a laser-guided
sorting system to process recycla- bles ef fi ciently. The biggest requirement is that bottles and cans must be clean, as dirt or frozen residue can disrupt the system. Customers are limited to $40 in redemptions per visit to ensure that everyone has a chance to recycle. “We’re proud to bring this ser- vice back to Charles City,” Les- lie said. “We didn’t realize how much demand there was until we opened, and we’re grateful for the support.” HOT SHOTS BILLIARDS After nearly a year without a food service option, Hot Shots Billiards reopened its kitchen in late 2024, giving patrons more reasons to visit the popular pool hall. Owner Joe Hull had originally planned to sell the business and move to a smaller location, but a conversation with Trent Barry changed his plans. Barry, who missed working
in the food industry after selling Comet Bowl, agreed to man- age the kitchen, giving Hull the chance to focus on running the bar and billiards area. The new partnership led to an expand- ed menu and a revamped dining space. Hot Shots now serves burgers, wraps and appetizers, with plans to introduce lunch service and on- line ordering. Hull has also expanded the seating area, added a service sta- tion and plans to create a private event space for up to 40 people. In addition to the food expan- sion, Hull invested in a 9-foot Diamond professional billiards table, the same model used in professional tournaments. “I’ve wanted that table since 2014 and now it’s in constant use,” he said. The kitchen is open Tuesday through Saturday, with plans to add Sunday service in early 2025. CHAMBER , turn to page C4
Tap • Ballet Jazz • Lyrical Production 3 years and older “Where Tutu’s Twirl and Toes are Tapping!”
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