Waukee’s Central Standard Burgers

September 11, 2018 by Kellyn Pappas

By Kellyn Pappas

You don’t have to look far in the Des Moines metro area to find a good burger. From the classics at B-Bop’s to the slightly less conventional choices at Zombie Burger, there’s something to suit every taste. And now customers have an intriguing new option in Waukee: Central Standard Burgers.

Central Standard, located at 1222 SE University Avenue, is the second location of a restaurant that got its start in Bettendorf, Iowa, about five years ago. According to general manager Andy Crounse, the restaurant was developed as an alternative to more traditional “cookie-cutter” burger joints.

Central Standard proved enormously popular. As the restaurant, along with other eateries owned by the same group, continued to be successful, the ownership group determined the time was right to expand. Crounse said Waukee was selected for the new restaurant because Waukee is “all about family and the community—it’s the key to good living!”

According to Crounse, the menu at the Waukee location will look very similar to the one in Bettendorf, with a few differences on the features menu and in the cocktail offerings. For example, a “Warrior Lemonade” mocktail will appear as a Waukee-specific item.

Perhaps unique among burger restaurants, Central Standard bakes all of its own bread, pretzels and buns for their burgers. And these burgers are not slabs of boring beef with nothing but ketchup. Among the dozen or so burger options are the “Oh No,” with cheese curds and fried pickles, and the “Heck No,” with jalapeño poppers and ghost pepper cheese. The menu also includes other sandwiches like the PB & J (that’s pork belly and jalapeño, not the childhood favorite peanut butter and jelly), and various jazzed-up mac and cheese selections (if, like the writer, your taste preferences occasionally lean in the direction of the kids’ menu).

The restaurant takes pride in its craft beer offerings, with 24 beers on tap at any given time. These are locally sourced as much as possible. Current options include beers from Exile Brewing Company and Iowa Brewing Company. “They’re all Iowa beers at the moment,” said Crounse.

Central Standard is also well-known for its massive, creative shakes—think tall glasses rimmed with candy sprinkles and topped with baked goods. For example, the Cookie Dough shake features an actual cookie sandwich, and the s’more shake— well, you get the idea. All menu shakes can be upgraded to loaded shakes for those over 21. The restaurant also features “Will’s Feature Shake of the Month.” A portion of the proceeds from this specialty shake go to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, a partnership which has been going strong for about four years, according to Crounse, and one of which they are especially proud.

Central Standard had a soft open for family and friends the week of July 23 and officially opened for business on July 30. The restaurant currently has about 65 people on staff, and Crounse says they expect to eventually have around 100 employees total. With plenty of indoor space, plus a patio, the restaurant seats around 280 people. Customers can find their menu and hours of operation online at centralstandardburgers.com.

Crounse and his colleagues at Central Standard are excited to bring their unique take on burgers and fries to Waukee. Outside-the-box offerings are their specialty. “We don’t want to be the same old, same old,” said Crounse.

With creative burgers on homemade buns, local craft beers and shakes that provide a lot more than just a cherry on top, Central Standard stands to be an exciting new option for hungry Waukee residents.

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Baer Ag Supply, Inc. – The End of a Historic Legacy

September 11, 2017 by admin

In 1946, Leo Francis Garland and his son, Francis E. “Pat” Garland, purchased the property at 6th Street and Hickman and built their own company—LF Garland and Son Grain Company. Leo’s son-in-law, Joe Wiltgen, later became a partner as well.

The families’ children and grandchildren spent a lot of time both working and playing at the grain elevator. They delivered water, coal and other merchandise around town, and when there wasn’t work to be done, they’d join other neighborhood kids behind the elevator to play baseball, wiffle ball or football, or in the wintertime, to play in the snow.

“Half the town would be down there,” says Chuck Garland. “In the winter, elevator snow would be piled high and all us kids would build tunnels and slide.”

Meanwhile, in the 1960s, Lewis Baer started a fertilizer and chemical plant on the north side of Hickman (where Shottenkirk Chevrolet sits today). The plant, called Baer Ag Supply, offered custom spraying, as well as the sales and storage of fertilizer, lime, chemicals and seed.

As the company expanded, Baer took on several partners—Al Scholes, Jay Hoskinson and Bob McIlrath—yet remained the majority stockholder. McIlrath came on board in 1973, when Baer purchased Dexter Fertilizer, a liquid fertilizer and chemical business located in Dexter.

In 1976, Baer Ag Supply’s expansion continued with the purchase of LF Garland and Son’s elevator across from them on Hickman. The grain elevator operated under the name Waukee Grain and Feed until 1983, when it was changed to Baer Ag Supply, Inc., to tie all of the operations together.

In 1978, grain storage and drying capacity were added. In 1982, the company also added a new central office and scales. During peak times, Baer Ag Supply employed 21 full-time employees at the Waukee and Dexter locations, as well as additional part-time seasonal employees.

Baer and his partners expanded their service territory to include as far south as Cummings, north to Ankeny and past Dexter to Stuart. In 1997, Heartland Co-op acquired Baer Ag Supply’s grain elevator facility on the south side of Hickman and the fertilizer plant in Dexter, and then leased the fertilizer and chemical plant on the north side of Hickman.

After the widening of Highway 6 (Hickman Road) to four lanes, the remaining fertilizer and chemical facilities on the north side were eventually sold to Doug Telke in 2001, who used it for general storage, as well as lawn mower sales and operations. He eventually sold the property to Shottenkirk in 2008.

Heartland Co-op sold the remnants of Baer Ag Supply’s buildings and land to Kum & Go. In June of 2017, preparations were made to demolish the old buildings and begin new construction of a Kum & Go Marketplace. The Waukee Area Historical Society acquired Baer Ag Supply’s company sign. Kum & Go presented the sign to the society on August 6, 2017 at the Waukee Public Library.

More About Lewis Baer

Lewis Baer was born in March of 1921 on the Baer family farm in Cedar County. He attended school at Tipton Junior College and Iowa State University, and met his wife, Avalon Seiberling, while attending school at Tipton. They were married for nearly 64 years.

At Iowa State, Baer’s class started the AG ED 450 farm. He taught high school agriculture and sponsored Future Farmers of America in Keota and Waukee. He was also very active in our community, serving on the school board and town council, as well as being an active member of Waukee United Methodist Church. He was passionate about soil conservation practices and once served as president of the Iowa Fertilizer and Chemical Association.

Lewis Baer passed away on September 29, 2007. He is laid to rest at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Tech Giant Apple Inc. Is Coming To Waukee

August 24, 2017 by admin

We’re (Apple) here today because across Iowa; businesses, schools, developers, and government are coming together to build a new home for innovation in America’s heartland.
– Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc.

Apple is building a 1.4 billion data center right here in Waukee. State and local leaders approved $208 million in tax incentives for Apple Inc. to build two data storage centers in Waukee. This is being called the biggest economic development deal in the history of the state.

According to Apple CEO, Tim Cook, Apple has pledged up to $100 million to Waukee, which will be paid out over decades and go towards the development of street and sidewalk projects, amenities such as libraries and parks.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “At Apple, we admire what you guys have accomplished, and we want to be a part of it. Data centers like this new facility are critical to Apple’s operations, and they make up the backbone of America’s innovation in infrastructure. Every day, they make it possible for Apple users to send tens of billions of messages, to save more than a billion photos and to place 10 billion FaceTime video calls.”

Having a tech giant such as Apple in the Greater Des Moines area, puts Iowa on the tech industry map and will open opportunities and growth for the city and state.

For more information visit: KCCI Des Moines 8, Des Moines Register

Under Construction: Heritage Park

May 6, 2016 by admin

New Heritage Park Retail Opening on Hickman Road

New construction has a way of popping up overnight. Where there was once a patch of empty land, suddenly there’s a place to meet with things to do, buy and eat. Waukee residents will notice such new construction as they drive down Hickman Road. One new building is going up in front of Life Time Fitness and another next to Kum & Go in Urbandale.

The two buildings, collectively known as Heritage Park Retail, will have plenty of room for business development in the 8,125- and 7,425-square-foot spaces. Collectively, the buildings are designed to host nine different businesses.

According to Jeffrey D. Stanbrough, CCIM, CPM, of Stanbrough Realty Company, the outside shells of the buildings should be done in about two months, but tenant improvement—the interior development of the storefronts—has already begun.

First on the list of new businesses is the “freaky fast” Jimmy John’s, perfect for a quick sandwich or lettuce wrap (and let’s not forget the cookies). A joint venture of Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels will come together for a caffeine and carb-filled storefront. There will also be a nutrition store, offering a myriad of health products, and Fresh Fit Meals, which will serve up nutritious meals to-go or for on-site consumption.

There’s still time for new businesses to lay claim to the hot spot, but interested buyers should act fast. “We expect the building to fill up pretty quickly,” said Stanbrough. “It’s right off the interstate and on a highway, and it’s in the middle of everything.”

Plus, with two large monument signs marking the shops, it will be hard to drive by without swinging through. Ninety-four parking spaces have been allocated for the development, ensuring plenty of convenient parking for visitors.

Places of Waukee: 7 Stone Pizzeria

May 6, 2016 by admin

Where does the name “7 Stone” come from?

I wanted a name that had personal meaning and reminded me of the journey it took to get here. I started in the pizza business on a whim, at a small local franchise in Cedar Rapids/Marion, Iowa on “7th” Avenue, so that’s where the “7” came from. The “stone” came from realizing that I really enjoyed making a good pizza and having a great time with great staff and customers while doing so.

7 Stone Pizzeria is family-owned and –operated. Tell our readers how a family’s passion for pizza became a full-time job.

The idea for 7 Stone came after being part of a franchise for 10 years. Two years ago, things fell into place that allowed me to branch out on my own. Anyone who has ventured out on their own can probably relate that it truly is a family affair. I have two employees whom I call my “kids.” They’ve become family and have made 7 Stone possible. Brett has been my lifesaver for eight years and Jacob (JB) for four years. Their ideas and incredibly long work hours allowed us to recently celebrate our one-year anniversary. There aren’t enough thank-you’s that could be said.

How did you choose the Waukee/West Des Moines area for your business?

It was a fairly easy decision. I really like the area, and we wanted to be a “family and friends pizza night” place where people can relax or grab a drink while they wait for take-out. We’ve met some really great people and families.

We heard you have a unique way of crafting your pizzas that readers won’t find just anywhere. Can you tell us about that?

We do our own take on a thicker crust, which we call the 7 Stone. It’s a cross between a thin crust and a Chicago style. We also do a wood-fired thin crust, which was a new thing for us at 7 Stone. It took a few months to get the kinks worked out, but we finally got the hang of it. Our sauces are homemade and they come on top of the pizza, though we have started offering it on the bottom, as more of a traditional New York pizza.

Knowing you probably have a fan club, do they have a favorite pizza?

We offer several specialty pizzas, of which our taco, vodka pie, buffalo chicken and House 7—our version of a supreme—are most popular.

7 Stone Pizzeria

Find them: 9350 University Ave. #18, West Des Moines

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

Info: 515-987-7768 or facebook.com/7stonepizzeria

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Enter To Win A $500 Holiday Giveaway from myWaukee

November 30, 2015 by admin

myWaukee and participating sponsors are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a Holiday-themed giveaway package valued at $500. What a great way to get your Holiday Shopping started!

See entry details below and be sure to enter before December 15th, 2015!

“Free Skin Analysis” from Des Moines Plastic Surgery {$100 Value + Spend $200 and Get $100 Off Gift Card}

Healthy Skin & Laser Center’s state-of-the-art VISIA Imaging System helps give you a clear visualization and detailed analysis of your skin and complexion. With innovative technology, you’ll be able to see actual images of your wrinkles, spots, pores, skin tone bacteria and sun damage – and then to take an active part in determining the first steps you can take along your own path to skin rejuvenation, facial vitality and long-term complexion health.

Free Scholarship to Spring No Boundaries Class from Fleet Feet Sports Des Moines {$75 Value}

No Boundaries is a 10 week program to take people from their current level activity to completing a 5K (3.1 miles). Participants receive 20 coached group workouts, weekly emails, t-shirt, training schedule, training topics, graduation party and more. The next No Boundaries class will begin in March.

4 Tickets from Des Moines Playhouse {$180 value}

Winner will be able to select a show of their choosing. Upcoming shows include: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 12 Angry Men, Sister Act and You Can’t Take It With You just to name a few!

Adjustment and Consultation from Spinal Tuning Chiropractic {$50 Value}

Car Organizer from Knapp Properties {$50 Value}

Enter To Win…

$500 Holiday Giveaway

No CAPS on Success

January 12, 2015 by admin

Creativity, collaboration and career cultivation have converged in the Waukee Public School District in the form of an innovative learning program called the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS).

Different from test-centric Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-credit courses, CAPS is shattering the education paradigm. The program is centered on an evolving curriculum not bound by traditional lessons in the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, CAPS is a contemporary incubator for the developing minds of Waukee High School seniors as they delve into the world of business.

“CAPS came about due to our school system thinking about a couple of different things,” said Chris Bergman, Waukee CAPS Executive Director. “Besides thinking about our growth, we asked ourselves how we could make the senior year more rigorous. Instead of kids taking off blocks of time, we wanted to give them more opportunities to successfully launch their collegiate career. Once we decided that we wanted a different type of programming, our Superintendent, Dr. Wilkerson, started talking to people and it grew from there,”
said Bergman.

Administrators sent business leaders and legislators to Overland Park, Kansas, to see one of the country’s three other CAPS programs in action. The networking paid off. CAPS has won the support of some key metro-area organizations, including Hy-Vee, Drake University, Principal Financial Group, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnityPoint Health.

In a recent video produced by the CAPS program, business leaders said they were interested in sharing the functional knowledge of their industries as well as “soft skills” needed in business, such as clear communication, empathy and focus.

“We were contacting businesses that fit within our areas of study, and now businesses are coming to us looking to get involved,” Bergman said. She attributes this interest to the strong spirit of the community and its business professionals.

“We chose CAPS program classes based on economic trend data specific to central Iowa,” Bergman said. “We looked at which fields will be growing in our community in order to determine which courses were important so that students will be more prepared to enter the
local workforce.”

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Should I Buy the Damage Waiver When Renting a Car?

August 22, 2014 by admin@mytownmagazines.com

Everyone has a different tolerance for risk and should make their own decision, but we can help you be aware of the risks you will assume if you decline the waiver. Please take time to consider the following.

Most auto policies do provide liability coverage for your use of a rented or borrowed car, just as they do when you’re driving your own vehicle – assuming it’s a passenger car, SUV, etc., and not a truck used for business.

Coverage for damage to the rented vehicle is less certain. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage on at least one of your vehicles, that same coverage will apply to a rented vehicle if you are responsible for repairs.

Certain expenses may not be covered by your personal insurance, and because of this risk, some choose to purchase the waiver from the rental company. These expenses include:

Loss of Rental Income. If the car rental company claims they are losing rental income while the car is being repaired, they may hold you responsible for the lost income. The rental company may charge their maximum daily rent amount, which can really add up if the repairs take an extended period of time.

Diminished Value. The rental company may claim that, because of the damage and subsequent repair, the vehicle is worth less when it comes to resale. Your policy may not pay for a loss like that, nor will it pay for other indirect costs, such as towing.

Operation by Unauthorized Drivers. Your policy will not pay for loss caused by someone driving the vehicle if that person is not covered by your rental policy. This includes a valet attendant parking the rented vehicle. (A similar restriction may be in the damage waiver.)

Risk of Impairing the Use of Your Credit Card. It is possible that, if the rental company holds you responsible for any or all of these obligations, the company may immediately place a charge on your credit card pending final resolution of the claim.

We hope this information will relieve some uncertainty and help you enjoy your upcoming vacation or business trip.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact your local INSPRO Insurance office today.

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Unlocking Potential: The Waukee Leadership Institute

July 2, 2014 by admin

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
– John Quincy Adams

The Waukee Leadership Institute (WLI) provides leadership development through training, networking, mentoring and roundtable discussions. “The WLI can be summed up in three words: learn, lead and grow,” said Brian Conway, Executive Director of the WLI. “We want the participants to learn about the city and school district, become a better leader, and help grow the city and make it a better place.”

The WLI was founded in 2006 to develop community leaders and improve the quality of life in Waukee. More than 100 participants have graduated from the WLI, and many graduates, such as Chad Airhart, continue to engage the community as leaders and serve on the board of the WLI. Airhart is currently the president of the WLI. Dr. Brad Buck received the 2014 Alumni of the Year Award for his exhibited excellence in leadership. Dr. Buck, along with many other graduates, has used what he has learned in life and from the WLI to demonstrate active leadership in the community.

Tyler DeHaan is one of the most recent graduates of the WLI and recipient of the 2014 President’s Award, which is given for outstanding service and involvement. DeHaan says he enrolled in the WLI because he thought it would be a great way to network with people in the Waukee area and learn about various functions of local government. One of the greatest take-home lessons from the class for him was learning about the importance of working together to better the community. “Anytime you have two or more people in a room, you have to be cognizant of how other people like to work so that others are encouraged to work in ways that are suited best to their strengths,” he said. DeHaan also noted that he continues to apply the skills he acquired from the WLI in his workplace and throughout his life.

WLI participants work together to complete a class project prior to graduation. They brainstorm ideas and implement a project that will enhance the city of Waukee. In the past, projects have involved donating signs that direct people to the Waukee Historic district, raising funds for an outdoor amphitheater at Centennial Park, and supporting the Waukee Historical Society and the museum in the Waukee Library.

The 2014 class project was a Meals on Wheels project that delivered Easter meals to citizens within the Waukee School District. The class worked with the Waukee Christian Food Pantry and Waukee United Methodist Church to identify families that would like a warm Easter meal delivered the Saturday before Easter. Hy-Vee, Stivers Ford, Gilcrest Jewett, People’s Trust, and the Atlantic Bottling Company are just some of the local businesses that contributed to make this project possible. Over 150 meals were served to community members. “It was truly a collaborative project by many individuals and organizations in the Waukee community,” said DeHaan.

All current and future leaders are encouraged to enroll in the WLI in order to gain a better understanding of themselves and of the community while diversifying their training, enhancing their imagination and expanding their network. “If you want to learn all of the ins and outs of the city and school district, get an inside look at the new Kettlestone project, become a better leader and network, then this is perfect for you,” said Conway.

WLI classes are held at a convenient after-work time once per month from September through May at a cost of $550. For more information or to enroll in the fall session, visit http://waukeeleadership.org/about/.

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal”
– Vince Lombardi

Class of 2013

Back Row
Todd Smothers, Brandon Converse, Ambria Luettjohan, Evan Koester, Tori Long, Andy Goodall, Brandon Lampkin, Jay Pearson, Chad Holtz, City Councilman Brian Harrison and Tyler DeHaan

Front Row
WLI Director Brian Conway, Justin Luettjohan, Dallas County Recorder & WLI President Chad Airhart, Waukee Mayor Bill Peard and Kim Olson.

Graduates not pictured
Tomme Tysdal, Nate Zittergruen, Troy Dubberke