Mid-Week and thanks for being here. Today was one of those odd days on Wall Street and we'll share details plus for the interview a massive transformation of a shopping mall in Des Moines, Iowa caught our attention. But first, the news:
- Stop working and go for a walk...no, really;
- Amazon does not want to talk about this;
- The My Pillow guy is getting hit again;
- He said "tax breaks have got to go". Stunning;
- T-Mobile has a new promotion and it's big;
- Janet Yellen and more tax news;
- The Wall Street Report;
- It seems Ketchup just can't...catch up.
Plus for the interview the stunning story about how one mall owner is totally transforming one of her properties. Our guest is Liz Holland the CEO of Merle Hay Investors. She'll share a story about the difference between shopping centers in Europe and the U.S. as well as the retail reality that has brought down so many malls. Then we'll get into the amazing transformation of a property in Des Moines, Iowa. It is...groundbreaking. To listen to that conversation, click here.
If you've spent any time listening to our daily newscast you know that we've reported many times about the hollowing out of our nation's shopping malls. As ecommerce shook the bones of retail we watched as department stores, often shopping mall anchors, entering bankruptcy and leaving gaping holes. Then COVID19 came and, for many, finished the job. Some malls have sold out to Amazon to be used as fulfillment centers. Other mall owners are working new tenet arrangements hoping to salvage their business. Some mall owners are totally reimagining their centers and changing everything. Meet Liz Holland the CEO of Merle Hay Investors and the remarkable story behind their goal to totally restructure their business. It's a stunning departure and, perhaps, one of the first in the nation as the Merle Hay Mall becomes..."Hockey Town".
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
Thanks for clicking through again to start off our business week Here are the news headlines we've got ready for you today:
- Tech ruled the day;
- Amazon Prime Day & some tips;
- Oil prices slumped and why;
- Sure, we've got toilet paper but other things now in short supply;
- Theaters lose out on yet another feature film;
- The Wall Street Report;
- A new retail store...that sells only pandemic stuff.
Those stories PLUS a conversation with Steve Wilke-Shapiro who, in the midst of COVID19, decided it was a good time for him to launch his new business. It's a great story about his relationship with people, buildings and architecture. Sequel Architecture is in our Small Business Spotlight. Click here to listen.
We love telling the stories of entrepreneurs and when they launch a new business in the middle of a pandemic...it really becomes special. Meet Steve Wilke-Shapiro who recently launched Sequel Architecture a full service design firm doing business across Iowa. Listen to the thoughtful way Steve approaches each project, some tips on hiring an architect, the story of a 173 year-old building and more. Meet Steve...in our Small Business Spotlight:
Forgive us we spent some time talking about pizza for breakfast. You do...do that...right? We'll chat about a number of fun stuff like pickled herring and nope, Jeff has never had. Here, once again is Jeff Pitts the managing editor of Cityview Magazine with "Stuff to DO" in the Des Moines, Iowa Metro". Things like MMA fights, the Downtown Des Moines Walking Tour, the drive-in from the Des Moines Playhouse, Max Wellman is opening up Noce (YAY!) and on his birthday yet. There is a comic book convention coming to town and a home show in Ankeny. And coming up the Cityview Summer Stir...oh yeah. And lots of stuff in between. Have some fun already, you've earned it.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
Our Sponsors
AARP-Iowa
National Tractor Parts Dealer Association
Oasis - A Paychex Company
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It's true, the business news headlines are coming to you this week from Arizona where it's brown...not white like back home in Iowa. In the news today:
- The new trade deal and agriculture...what if?
- No joy in "Toyland" says Target;
- GM and temporary workers;
- Tesla may win with the new trade deal but not for cars;
- The Wall Street Report;
- Workers and Weight an issue nobody wants to discuss.
Those stories and we'll talk construction with Creighton Cox, a return visitor to the News Hour, and this time is's about the construction industry both on a local and national level. Creighton recently became the Business Development Manager for Turner Construction an international company. The fact that Creighton is in this position tells us that the company is planning some serious work in the Hawkeye State...yes? You can listen here.
It's always great to sit down and talk business with Creighton Cox who is the Business Development Manager with international construction company Turner Construction. Here we talk about the micro and the macro of construction going from some hyper-local conversation to a more global look at the construction industry. Creighton has just "retired" from a long stint as a City Councilman for the City of Urbandale and, yes, that too factored into our conversation.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
Our Sponsors
AARP-Iowa
National Tractor Parts Dealer Association
Oasis - A Paychex Company
Tero International
The Fed cut interest rates by a quarter of a percent and at first the markets went..."Meh..." That story and more today:
- What caused the "Meh" early today;
- What's in a name? Ask Molson Coors;
- What health care has to do with lagging wages;
- Some new GDP concerns;
- So those rising steel prices? Not so fast;
- Beggars Night explained;
- Twitter says "NO!" to political advertising.
Those stories and a conversation with Dr. Tom Ahart the Superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools about a vote coming up on Tuesday of next week that will have a major impact on students and facilities. We'll explain how an increase in the tax levy for physical plant won't increase property taxes. THe vote is on the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or PPEL. Take a few minutes to learn more. You can hear that conversation here.
Thanks for listening!
