The Stuart Chamber of Commerce hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony for Nikki’s Nickel Redemption Monday afternoon. With dozens of bags stuffed with aluminum cans in the background, owner Joyce Rasmussen’s daughter Nicole clipped the ribbon and community members were treated to cookies and water for the event.

Barb Boss, Rasmussen’s “can coordinator” for the business and a vital factor in the original idea, said the idea came from her work with the Park District in transporting the cans to the redemption center in Perry and that Rasmussen “saved her butt” from transport feeds and lower can rates. She hopes the community support stays as strong as it was Monday.

“It feels amazing. We have a lot of community support from everybody. It was something we thought everybody would support, and it’s the dream come true. Now there’s a future business for Nikki. Everybody’s welcomed us with open arms. It’s been amazing; all the community support, and to see everybody come out on a cold winter day, it was really nice to see all the businesses. Now it’s official that we’re here to stay.”

 

19-year old Nicole cuts the ribbon to officially open her mother Joyce Rasmussen’s business
Nikki’s Nickel Redemption in Stuart Monday afternoon.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, it’s estimated that 71-percent of beverage containers are redeemed every year in the state.

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