2024 was considered an up and down year for the Perry community as many businesses closed, but a few unique ones opened up.

Perry Chamber Director Lynsi Pasutti tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the community took a hit after the Tyson Foods Pork Plant  permanently closed its operations in June. Unfortunately, Pasutti states that other businesses in the area shut its doors permanently as well including Blonde Sisters Boutique, Ben’s Five and Dime, and The Lazy Goose Cafe to name a few. However, the Perry Chamber celebrated the opening of Sips on 2nd and Toys, Collectibles, and Gaming (TCG) Planet with their respective ribbon cuttings. Pasutti admits that the community’s support in the first couple of years is crucial going forward for these new businesses.

“There’s always a bit of turnover the first couple of years, any small business is the most challenging, that’s what they say in all the stats. So for good and for bad, it’s not always meant to last for some, and I know that that’s difficult because it feels like one more blow and what’s next, and things like that, but the reality is that is how things go and you’re also dealing with a global economy as well as a local economy.”

Pasutti is hopeful that residents will continue to support the two newest businesses in the community and reveals that the chamber is having ongoing conversations with new organizations that will receive ribbon cuttings this year.