Marion Shop Named Finalist in Iowa Small Business Competition
By KCRG Staff
Published: Oct. 1, 2026 at 7:58 PM GMT+2 | Updated: 4 hours ago
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MARION, Iowa (KCRG) - The Purple Wagon has advanced as one of five small businesses across Iowa competing to receive a $25,000 grand prize. Shop founder Karlee Peters is taking part in Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business competition. Finalists are judged on business innovation, community impact, growth potential, revenue, and long-term stability.
The uptown Marion baby store reopened in a larger corner building in August to expand its product selection and increase visibility. The shop is now in the former Maid-Rite building on 7th Avenue and 10th Street.
Lacey Schroeder, Director of the Uptown Marion Main Street Program, shared that the small business’ success is also a win for the downtown district, reviving a building that sat vacant for more than a decade.
“They have built a business that people have grown up with, and now they have the space to grow with those customers,” she said. “Seeing a building that sat vacant for more than 10 years become an active storefront is a significant investment in Uptown Marion.”
The Purple Wagon will present the store’s business and growth plans to a panel of judges in Osceola on October 5.
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