PATIENCE PAYING OFF WITH RETAIL STRATEGY
Greater Ottumwa Partners and Projects began their Retail Strategy initiative three years ago, and it’ s been steadily paying off with new businesses coming into town.
Funded by the City of Ottumwa and the Legacy Foundation, and quarterbacked by GOPIP, Retail Strategies is a marketing and outreach initiative aimed at getting businesses to take a look at Ottumwa as spots for investment. According to GOPIP Executive Director Marc Roe, these efforts have primarily been focused around Quincy Plaza, the Quincy Place Mall and the Old Target Box.
“ The big key is marketing the city of Ottumwa out in the real world— showing everyone that we’ re on the map and we’ re open for business.” Roe said.“ I think that’ s the big thing. And obviously, the fruits of that are starting to see that part and parcel.”
By using the Legacy Foundation and GOPIP’ s connections, Ottumwa has been able to get its foot in the door at retail conventions where these businesses conjugate, something they haven’ t been able to do in the past. This has resulted in greater
This has resulted in businesses like Five Below and T. J. Maxx coming to Ottumwa, and more recently, Ollie’ s and Jersey Mike’ s, while Dunkin’ Donuts and Ultra Beauty are also being eyed.
According to Roe, it’ s an example of Retail Strategies working and
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THE BIG KEY IS MARKETING THE CITY OF OTTUMWA OUT IN THE REAL WORLD— SHOWING EVERYONE THAT WE’ RE ON THE MAP AND WE’ RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.”
patience paying off.
“ We haven’ t been knee-jerk about trying to just find anybody. We’ ve been trying to find the right fits for the community and sometimes that takes a little bit of time,” Roe said.“ We know that as a result of our partnership with retail strategies, what our market sustains— number one, and number two, knowing those data points what we spend our time trying to attract to the community.”
12 GOPIP Investor Directory 2025-26