Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. This edition highlights developments in Dubuque, Maquoketa and Dyersville, Iowa.

A national sports apparel chain has opened a location in a Dubuque mall.

Rally House opened at Kennedy Mall this month, following the May 2 opening of another Rally House at the Asbury Plaza shopping center.

“Each Rally House location is different, so even if one is just a mile away from each other, you’re going to get a completely different product assortment,” said Colin Novick, Rally House media and production manager.

Rally House offers sports apparel, gifts and home décor, including licensed merchandise for NCAA, NFL, NBA and MLB teams.

Novick said the company tailors its inventory to local clientele. The Kennedy Mall location’s merchandise includes Midwestern professional teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and

St. Louis Cardinals.

Meanwhile, the Asbury Plaza store features teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago teams. At both stores, Novick said inventory will rotate regularly based on customer feedback.

“You can go in on a Monday and then come back on Wednesday and see a whole new line of products from the teams you love,” he said.

Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for Cafaro Co., which owns and manages Kennedy Mall and a majority of Asbury Plaza, said Rally House’s Kennedy Mall location spans just over 3,700 square feet.

The store is located near the mall’s central court, next to the space occupied by cannabis company Botanicanna. Rally House’s space previously was occupied by Aeropostale but has not had a permanent tenant since 2020.

“People love sports apparel, and it’s a very important niche within the retail community,” Bell said. “We think that (Rally House) brings just the flavor of what local fans crave.”

Rally House’s Kennedy Mall location is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The business can be reached at 515-346-6212.

The Asbury Plaza location is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The business can be reached at 563-214-1236.

MAQUOKETA RADIO STATION FINDS BUYER

A Maquoketa radio station has a new owner.

Jim Coloff, owner of Coloff Media, is purchasing KMAQ Radio from its longtime owner, Dennis Voy.

Voy had worked at the station for 65 years, but his health issues prompted the Voy family to seek a buyer for KMAQ in September.

According to Jim Coloff, Coloff Media began in 1978 when his parents launched a radio station in Forest City, Iowa. He now owns the company, which operates 12 stations across Iowa, including KMCH in Manchester.

“I have known Dennis ever since I moved to Manchester in 1991, and I’ve admired him and his long history of broadcasting in the Maquoketa area,” Coloff said. “When the family contacted me about possibly purchasing the station, it was a great opportunity.”

Coloff said all employees of KMAQ will remain with the business. KMCH General Manager Sarah Meyer will serve as interim manager for the Maquoketa station, and Coloff also plans to hire a new operations manager.

Coloff Media is purchasing the Main Street building where KMAQ is housed, and Coloff emphasized that the station will continue to operate locally.

“I don’t think we are going to change a lot. Hopefully, we’ll just improve upon what they’re doing already,” he said. “We’ve got a great crew doing local news, sports and weather, and we certainly won’t take any of that away. As a company, we love small market radio and serving smaller towns.”

Coloff said the Federal Communications Commission needs to approve the purchase, which he expects will be final by the end of August.

GALENA BOUTIQUE OPENS DYERSVILLE LOCATION

A Galena, Ill.-based boutique and coffee shop has opened a Dyersville location.

Elle & Beck’s Lifestyle Boutique opened July 3 at 207 First Ave. E. in Dyersville. The building previously housed J&R Fashions Boutique, which closed last month.

Elle & Beck’s owner, Monique Butcher, said she is friends with Jennifer Recker, who owned and operated J&R Fashions. In June, Recker told Butcher she would be closing her business and asked whether Butcher wanted to take over the space.

“I originally told her no, but upon thinking about it — and with some prodding from my husband — I decided to go for it,” Butcher said.

Elle & Beck’s operates a location in Galena, which includes both a boutique and a coffee/gelato bar. The business also runs a food truck, which primarily operates in Dubuque and sells coffee and gelato on the go.

J&R Fashions Boutique’s final day of operations was June 22, and Butcher got the keys July 1. With help from staff and family, she worked until 1 a.m. July 3 to prepare clothing and gift items for a grand opening that day.

“It all happened very quickly,” she said.

Elle & Beck’s Lifestyle Boutique offers regular, plus-size and children’s clothes, in addition to shoes, accessories, jewelry, candles, beach towels, coolers and other gift items.

All three employees of J&R Fashions will remain on staff with Elle & Beck’s. Recker will continue to own the building, and Butcher is renting the space occupied by her store.

Butcher said customer response to the new Dyersville location has been positive so far.

“So many people have come in and thanked me for being there,” she said. “I just want to keep the shopping local, and I want to continue what (customers) are used to having, which is the clothes and gift things that they don’t have to go to Dubuque or a bigger city to get. They can stay in their hometown and shop.”

Elle & Beck’s Lifestyle Boutique in Dyersville is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The store is closed Sunday and Monday.

The business can be reached at elleandbecksboutique@gmail.com and found online at elleandbecksboutique.com.