DALLAS – Twenty-five years ago, Rachel Greco was between jobs and standing in an empty building.

Mint Valley gets approved

INDEPENDENCE — Martha Lesmeister joined the Pfaff-Karren Insurance team in December, but she’s been serving people in Monmouth and Independence for almost two decades.

DALLAS — Dallas recently learned that Mint Valley Paper, a paper products manufacturing company, is making a serious move to come to town, but that may not be the only industrial interest the city’s seeing.

Mint Valley Paper, which manufactures tissue and other paper products, is considering building a facility on 55-acres near Godsey Road and Jonathan Avenue in Dallas.

Marlene Cox, the owner of Latitude One in Dallas, will apply for a Main Street Revitalization grant to transform the second story of the restaurant building into a hostel catering to bicyclists.

The American Gas & Technology building on Monmouth Cutoff in Dallas escaped going to auction on Friday, but plans to secure loans for production are not final yet. AG&T chief executive officer Ray Tate Jr. said the building, which was in foreclosure, was pulled from the auction by the mortgage holder.

Downtown Dallas businesses Some Things and the Dallas Main Street Emporium will be shuffling locations in the coming months after Some Things owner Mike Berkes found a building to expand his store.

The Grocery Outlet in Dallas won’t open until Feb. 14, but part of the store’s crew was already at work at the Dallas Food Bank and Polk County Resource Center warehouse last week.

Pets Unleashed has been open since early October, and owner Jayden Jones said he only wants one thing for it: To serve the people of Dallas by offering them quality products for their pets.

The Dallas Forty in downtown is steadily making its way back to Corby’s, both in name and appearance.

Mother and daughter pair Julie Hertel and Amanda Warren wanted to create a neighborhood gathering place when they opened Karma Coffee Bar & Bakery in Dallas in November.

ACProducts Inc. announced on Nov. 15 that it entered into an agreement to acquire Elkay Wood Products Company, a leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath cabinetry, according to a news release.

The American Gas & Technology building in Dallas is in foreclosure and slated for auction on Jan. 11, 2019, but CEO Ray Tate Jr. said the company is seeking refinancing.

Holly Partridge grew up immersed in the restaurant business, so it seems fitting that she is the new owner of a popular Dallas coffee shop and eatery at 156 S.E. Mill St.

Expect a friendly phone call from a Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce member next month.

The owners of Petals & Vines have decided to take a historical approach when repairing the main entrance to the shop.

Happiness in a cup.

Mark and Liz Weisensee started a business with a vision and a home equity loan.

Jiffy Lube isn’t just about oil changes anymore, and the new Dallas location features the expanded services offered at the chain’s “multi-care” centers.

When Jim Davis speaks, it’s soft, making you lean in a little to make sure you catch everything he is saying.

The sun shone brightly in Independence on Monday at a historic groundbreaking ceremony 20 years in the making: a hotel is being built on Independence Landing, 2.5 miles of riverfront property lining the Willamette River.

The Dallas Planning Commission on Feb. 27 gave the official OK for Grocery Outlet to build a location in Dallas.

The Bank of America Dallas branch will close its doors on April 3.

For lifelong friends Nicole Turner and Kymmie Mills, 2017 was time to cheese it up. Turner and Mills are co-owners of The Speak Cheezy food truck.

If there was one thing Brendon Gallant was sure would happen in his life it was owning a bicycle shop.

Christmas trees, particularly the Noble fir variety, may be in short supply nationwide this year, but local tree farm operators say there should be plenty of trees to choose from this holiday season.

It’s not every day that someone opens a new business and finds that they have more time to spend with family and friends.

Step into the welcoming atmosphere of Timeless Antiques and More and it may be difficult to step out empty-handed.

Darrell Cooper quit bowling for a decade following a shoulder injury that affected his ability to play one of his favorite sports.

The property at 87 N. Main St., Independence has had a number of businesses on its soil over the years: a one-pump gas station, an auto shop and, most recently, a pub and barbecue.

It doesn’t matter how you pronounce it, Pete Kalogeras at Greece Lightning is happy to serve it up.

Michael Davis hasn’t gotten a lot of sleep lately.

AJ Foscoli, Dallas’ Economic Development Director, believes the next year or so has a lot in store for Dallas.

Louie Kazemier’s efforts to care for the environment weren’t always so appreciated.

A new trend has started in the Dallas community to support local businesses: Cash mobs.

The old warehouse building on South Main Street in Independence called out to Yul Provancha years ago.

Oasis Cannabis in Monmouth is ready to break the pothead stereotype.

A few changes are in store for the third annual Discover MI Town Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m., sponsored by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff VanElverdinghe’s engineering career took him all over the world, where he experienced varieties of local cuisine.

Ray Walter’s introduction to the culinary world was through his mom with cake decorating — when he was 8 years old.