Unexpected Surprises in NewBo
The Czech Village has always been a special place to me. When I lived in Cedar Rapids I spent most weekends there stuffing my face with kolaches from Sykora Bakery and Chicago dogs from The Flying Wienie. The Czech Village Salvation Army is also where I became an expert at sorting through piles of clothes and plucking out vintage scores. I always fall in love with a new treasure now when I visit. Today was no exception. Meeting the owners of two stores in the NewBo area and hearing the stories of them following their passion and turning it into thriving business' made my heart fill with happiness.
First I met Sandy Rosenberger who runs NewBo Mercantile and Vintage. Her store specializes in beautifully curated men and women's vintage clothing and apothecary supplies. The smell of all the tea leaves and herbs alone is reason enough to stop in.
After leaving Newbo Mercantile and Vintage, I found my way around the corner, past a man skateboarding over a wedge in the sidewalk and into Eduskate. The man skating outside turned out to be Nate Sherwood, the contagiously energetic co-owner of the business. He and his wife, Lindsey Podzimek - a Cedar Rapids native, are the creative duo behind the skateboarding & screen printing shop.
Nate & Lindsey - Neo American Gothic posing with a board from their shop with Lindsey's design.
Meeting Sandy, Nate and Lindsey today and seeing them follow their passions in Iowa and helping rebuild the NewBo/Czech Village area was so inspiring. In the words of Ice Cube : Today was a good day. It reminded me that the way to success is to be true to your passion.


















