Greater Iowa Credit Union
We joined Greater Iowa Credit Union when we lived in Ames, but we used this branch once we moved to Altoona. We have always been treated with respect when we went there, even when I had lots of what I thought were dumb questions, and even when we were having money troubles and overdrafted more than what I would like. They have online banking, and we used their billpay for some of our bills. The nice thing about this bank that we didn't find at some others is that you tell them what day you want your bill to arrive, and they mail it out in time to get there. Other banks we've been with just mail it when you tell them to and it gets there when it gets there. GICU's billpay was nice because I don't keep track of how long it takes to get from one mailbox to the other, but they do, and this way I can avoid having bills overdraft from being paid too early and also can avoid getting charges from paying bills too late. Fabulous! When you deposit a check during open hours, it appears on your account right away so you can go spend it right away. We also had direct deposit with our paychecks, and with GICU it was always there when we woke up on payday, other banks we used it sometimes didn't show up until the afternoon of payday. I guess the bottom line is that I love this credit union!
Marion County Bank
We joined this bank when we moved to Pella. It's a nice bank for a small town, they recognize you and give your kids candy if you say it's OK. The only drawback is that they don't seem to offer any kind of overdraft allowance if you have a check arrive and get cashed earlier than you planned. If this happens your check just bounces, which makes things difficult down the line, I'd rather pay an overdraft fee!
Greater Iowa Credit Union
We joined this bank when we lived in Ames and we love it! Their billpay is great because you just tell them what day you want the bill to be paid on and they mail it just in time so it arrives right on time. Great for avoiding late fees or overdraft charges! Their overdraft fees I think are a bit steep, though, $29 for every charge you overdraft, but if we ever had problems with that they worked with us to get most of those fees back. The good news is that if you have a savings account they will take it automatically out of your savings, and that way it only costs you $5 for every transfer.
Greater Iowa Credit Union
We were members of Greater Iowa Credit Union when we lived in Ames. This location is on the northern part of town, and is less busy, so when we went there we were able to be helped right away, no waiting ever like there was at their busier main branch. Yay!
8th Street Child Care Ctr
I took my son there for a few months both when he was about six months old, and then again at about 18 months. I liked the staff in the younger rooms, they are very friendly and attentive. There is an appropriate amount and type of toys for the kids to play with, and they are taught how to properly and safely use the toys/books/playground equipment. They also go outside at least once every day, unless of course it's way too cold or is raining/storming, and have books read to them and dance to music and even do little crafts to send home. The caregivers allowed me to bring in a pillow and blanket for my son for naptime (after he was a year old), both of which are cues for him to sleep and helped keep him quiet and well-behaved even when he wasn't actually asleep during naptime. He was also in cloth diapers, and the staff was very accommodating, they didn't care one way or the other. The old director retired between my first and second visits, and the new director was much more receptive to the idea of cloth diapers and didn't have to be badgered, I just showed her everything was in order and compliance and she had no problems, Oh, and during his first visit I was bringing breastmilk for him, and they were just fine with that too. They have a small refridgerator and a crockpot that is on all day and they just float the bottles in the water to heat them up. They don't even have a microwave in the baby room, so they can't get lazy. I have heard from other parents that the caregivers for the older kids (basically the ones that can talk) are not as personable, and I heard at least one of them yelling frequently when I would drop off my son, so I'm not sure I would take an older child there, but up through at least 3 years old the environment seems wonderful! Oh, also the younger kids are on the bottom floor and the older kids are on the upper floor (both of which have direct access to the outdoors), so the younger kids don't hear the noise from the older kids (or their caregivers).
Hills Photo Ctr
We used this portrait studio when we first moved to town with our new baby. The photographer was very tolerant of our uncooperative children and ended up with some really cute pictures of them when we thought they were misbehaving, but she was able to turn it into a good shot. They have a ton of toys for kids, too, including one of those indoor plastic houses. I love to go there to print digital pictures, and my toddler has so much fun that he doesn't want to leave! One word of caution, though, not that it's the renters' fault, but if you go in the afternoon, use something under your hand when you grab the door handle, the black metal handles on all the shops in the strip get really hot in the sun and can actually burn.
Kevin Van Wyk - State Farm Insurance Agent
When I moved to a duplex in town, I called and asked for renter's insurance. I only asked for $10,000 coverage, but he did some checking and found that I could get three times that amount for the exact same price, that was just how their numbers were calculated. Awesome deal!
Iowa Bike Co
We've been in here a few times but have never actually bought anything from them. They are a wealth of information and have so many bikes in there of all styles that there is barely room to walk! They even have hung stuff from the ceiling! In addition to bikes (for adults and kids), they have burleys, helmets, repair items and accessories. It's a bit pricy, but they do have good stuff, so if you are looking for something good quality/high end, this is your place!
Stravers True Value Hardware
We shop here for many of our hardware items. They are packed to the brim with affordable little random things my husband uses to repair items around the house that the manufacturer of those items would charge an arm and a leg for if we ordered the "little random things" from them instead. Their prices are comparable to a chain hardware store, but you get more personal service because it is a smaller store. Fabulous!
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe
It's wonderful if you're looking for a tasty bite at a great price, but some of the employees are a little rough around the edges, so don't expect too much. Their food is fabulous for "fast food", but we're wondering if their shakes are from a powder mix or something because we got one once that seemed like it wasn't fully mixed or something.
