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

A Dubuque pizza parlor franchise is under new ownership.

Aidan Brown, of Dubuque, purchased Falbo Bros. Pizzeria, 3250 Kennedy Circle No. 3, late last month.

The previous owner, Jeremy Noel, had owned Falbo Bros. for 19 years — which also happens to be the number of years that Brown, a 2023 graduate of Wahlert Catholic High School, has been alive.

“I’ve always been entrepreneurial and been trying to find better ways to make money all my life, and I’ve always worked in the food industry, too,” said Brown, who previously worked at both Falbo Bros. and Pancheros Mexican Grill. “When I saw there was a restaurant for sale, it was the best of both worlds.”

Falbo Bros. offers a variety of pizzas either as full pies, “Lil’ Bro” personal-pan-sized pizzas or slices. Its pizza recipes vary from the Mac and Cheese Pizza to the Slaughterhouse Five topped with bacon, Canadian bacon, ground beef, sausage and pepperoni.

Brown said the transition of ownership was smooth, and Noel continues to train him and provide assistance as he learns to do things such as order ingredients or complete the payroll process. Falbo Bros. employs 11 people in addition to Brown.

“When you’re working at a restaurant, you don’t get to see everything that goes on in the background,” Brown said. “(As an owner), you get to see all the numbers behind it, all the communication with different companies, all the advertising, and it’s very cool to get a better understanding of how something like this runs.”

Brown said the restaurant has many customers who stop by on their lunch break for Falbo Bros.’ daily lunch specials, which he plans to continue. He also hopes to expand the business’ reach to new audiences.

“I feel like a lot of the younger generation, people that I’m connected with, haven’t heard of Falbo before, so I’d like to start marketing to those demographics,” he said.

Falbo Bros. Pizzeria is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays. The business can be reached at 563-588-9100.

Dubuque vet clinic expands services

Following the completion of a major remodel, a Dubuque veterinary clinic is expanding its services and extending weekend hours.

Colonial Terrace Animal Hospital, 2777 University Ave., recently began offering urgent care services on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. During those hours, a veterinarian, veterinary technician and support staff are available to care for pets. Patients are encouraged to call ahead during those hours to talk with a staff member before arriving at the facility.

Medical Director Marianne Kirkendall said a $1.3 million, 2,200-square-foot expansion and renovation project the clinic completed earlier this year allowed the business to add several examination rooms and treatment areas.

“As part of that, we were looking to expand the services that we could offer to the pets of the community,” she said. “(While) we’re not a 24-hour clinic or a critical care clinic, we are available for urgent care and some emergency surgeries … and if there’s something that needs really critical care, we can stabilize (the animal) and recommend transport to a more specialized clinic.”

In addition to its weekend urgent care hours, Colonial Terrace Animal Hospital is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

The business may be reached at 563-556-2667, and pet owners can learn more and make appointments at colonialterraceanimalhospital.com.

Potosi business mixes shipping, retail, coworking

Visitors to a new Potosi business can find not only a place to get some work done but also a gift for a friend and a way to mail it.

The Hub, a coworking space, and Pages and Parcels, a retail and shipping business, opened in late October at 101 N. Main St.

“It’s a very beautiful, calming, relaxing space,” said owner Melissa Emler. “(People) have been really excited to see some energy in this building.”

For the past five years, Emler has owned and operated Modern Learners, an educational consultancy that works with state departments of education across the country.

As the business grew, Emler said, a physical space “larger than (her) living room” became necessary, and in September, she purchased the building at 101 N. Main St.

She initially intended to operate it as a coworking space and a headquarters for the consultancy but soon was inspired to think bigger.

“The building is big, so we had to think about sustainable revenue to keep the building going without putting too much strain on the consultancy,” she said. “We decided to add in the retail and shipping as a service to the community.”

Emler said the building spans 5,600 square feet, though about 2,000 square feet are occupied by a renter.

The remaining space includes the coworking area, The Hub, and 1,500 square feet of retail space at the front of the building for Pages and Parcels.

There, customers can purchase books, gifts and other specialty items, and the shipping center offers packing and shipping services through U.S. Postal Service and UPS, with FedEx service coming soon. According to Emler, other services also are planned, such as making copies, printing photos and notarizing documents.

Meanwhile, local employees of Modern Learners are already using the coworking space, which also offers memberships for other entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers.

“Other small businesses who are looking to get off the ground … can come into this place and be able to have conversations about what’s worked for other industries in Grant County,” said employee Ray Schink.

Emler said the coworking space includes private areas where members can make phone or video calls, small “huddle rooms” for group meetings and more, with various membership levels available. A conference room also is available for rent even by those who are not members of The Hub.

Pages and Parcels is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Hub will be accessible 24/7 to members.

For more information about The Hub, visit mainstreethub.co. For Pages and Parcels, visit pagesandparcels.store or call 608-763-2552.