MERGE Iowa City renovations and added resources help small business owners [Video]

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – An Iowa City nonprofit said some updates to the building have allowed them to better serve start-up businesses.

The MERGE Iowa City is a place where Johnson County business owners can utilize office space while also having access to networking opportunities.

“By having my own bookstore so to speak, I can kind of focus on a niche that I think is not only serving me but also other creatives,” said Ian Castillo, the owner of Time Machine Print.

Castillo plans to launch his new online bookstore later this month.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find them in a normal bookstore or a more traditional bookstore,” he said.

All his work was done at the MERGE Iowa City. The nonprofit that specializes in helping small start-up businesses put thousands of dollars into revitalizing its location on the Pedmall while also adding new volunteer resources.

“We’re in the early stages of …