by Michelle Watson
The Plaza, formerly TK Plaza located on 8th St., has had some new life breathed into it. Thanks to Joe Pritchard, who bought TK Plaza in 2022, the location has had a new outside facade, new windows, all new interiors and new tenants.
“We feel that this area is a gateway into the city and the area needed a little cleaning up and TLC,” said Pritchard.
Pritchard, who is president and CEO of Pritchard Companies, bought the business to the south of TK Plaza. Pritchard opened Lake Life Rentals on that corner property in 2021. “We felt TK Plaza was a natural extension to Lake Life Rentals when it came up for sale,” said Pritchard. “Plus we needed more parking for Lake Life Rentals, which this new location offers.”
Tenants in the building include Nash & Ivy, Farm Bureau Financial Services, The Wilson Yarbrough State Farm Insurance office and Grace and Strength Boutique.
Shawna Crabb, owner of Grace and Strength Boutique, moved her business to The Plaza earlier this summer.
“The new location is perfect for us and checks all of our boxes. It is closer to downtown, we have parking and we have a full basement for extra storage,” said Crabb. “The Pritchards and their crew have been great to work with. They retro-fitted the space to fit our needs, which was really nice.”
Grace and Strength Boutique offers clothing, shoes, purses, accessories, active wear and more.
Grace and Strength Boutique and Nash and Ivy anchor The Plaza. Crabb and Nikki Eden, owner of Nash and Ivy, both admitted that it is nice to have two boutiques in the same location to draw customers to the area.
“I’m really happy with the larger space I now have at The Plaza,” said Eden. “I outgrew my shop on Main Ave. and this location has tripled my space. The community has been so supportive of my move. The new space offers my customers a lot better experience with great parking, more display area and a fitting room.”
Nash and Ivy offers jewelry and clothing.
Wilson Yarbrough, who is new to the Clear Lake area, is the owner of the The Wilson Yarbrough State Farm Insurance office. “I was looking for a small town to open an agency and I felt Iowa was the place to be. Iowa takes care of its small towns and we like the schools and the family atmosphere in Clear Lake. In small towns you’re not just a number, but a person who matters in the community.”
Yarbrough said he is here to help Clear Lake, Mason City, Ventura, and the surrounding areas with auto, recreational vehicle, ATV, home, renter’s, personal articles, life, business, motorcycle and boat Insurance. He also offers financial services.
Jeff Stealy is the owner of Farm Bureau Financial Services. Stealy said he has been a tenant at TK Plaza for 25 years.
“I’m happy with the changes that have been made. It needed some updating. Nothing had been done for years. It’s nice the building has more of a modern look and we will soon be getting new signage,” said Stealy.
Stealy is a local agent who will get to know you and offers customized auto, home, farm, business, life and financial services solutions to fit you.
Pritchard said that he has been working with the City of Clear Lake for possible expansion on the back of the property for mixed use commercial spaces and condominiums. “It will be retail space on the bottom level and condos above. New signage is coming and an emphasis to market The Plaza for more traffic is also in the future.”
