By Kolleen Taylor

John Marvel is one of the new faces behind the coffee counter at Morning Glory Coffee shop. He is the new owner, the first acquisition of his holding company the Highway 20 group.

His family name is entrenched in Webster City, but Marvel will tell you that even though his family has been in Webster City for more than 100 years, he’s the only one who never lived here. There was the Marvel Sale Barn, and Marvel’s Jack and Jill, longtime residents remember them well.

But he didn’t grow up here. He didn’t attend school here. He lived in Los Angeles. He attended Boston University and the University of Colorado.

He was a sports journalist with various newspapers, and worked for ESPN and the Conde’ Nast Media Group. He even owned his own small documentary company.

Until 2020 and Covid.

“During the pandemic, I was looking to invest some money,” he said, “My cousin, Ann McLaughlin suggested Webster City at that time would be a good investment.”

So he bought a house. And he visited at first one week a month, then two weeks a month. In 2023, he became an official Iowa resident with his Iowa Drivers’ License in hand.

And there are no regrets.

“I believe in Webster City and it’s future. I’m putting my money where my mouth is and investing in rural Iowa,” he said.

Marvel was a regular customer of the Morning Glory, when he learned the business was for sale. “I love journalism, I love the media,” he said, “but I was looking to reinvent myself.”

The Morning Glory has provided this for him, and he is mixing a bit of his own blend of journalism into the surroundings.

“Rural radio and rural journalism needs our support right now,” he said. And he is stepping forward to do that, by starting a new local broadcast.

“The Lynx Huddle radio show just started last week on Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m.” The Lynx Huddle includes Marvel, Douglas Quinn, sports director at KQWC radio and head football coach, Andy Brim together at the Morning Glory.

“We have a great sports tradition, great arts tradition, we want to support it all,” he said.

“What we want to do here is about hospitality,” he continued, “Where people can get a drink, and relax and visit. I want it to be Webster City’s living room, kitchen and den.”

He might not have grown up here, but he wants Webster City to succeed.

“We’re moving the right direction,” he said. “I want people to feel welcome and that I care about Webster City and the past.”

It’s what he wants people to know. It’s a philosophy, his motto, his mission.

“To honor the past while looking to the future.”