Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. This edition highlights developments in Dyersville, Iowa; Dubuque; and Farley, Iowa.
DYERSVILLE, Iowa — An area artist has come full circle with the launch of her Dyersville decor store.
Owner Lynn Watters recently launched This & That Designs at 201 First Ave. E. next to Elle & Becks Lifestyle Boutique. The retail store offers a variety of unique home decor, gifts and other items.
“It’s pretty much right there in the name, but I wanted there to be a little bit of this and that so that everyone can find something that they like,” Watters said. “I wanted to have something from a lot of different styles so everyone could feel included.”
A longtime creative, Watters has run a small crafts business since 2019 to make and sell items such as handmade earrings, home decor pieces and more. She mostly sold her work at area vendor shows or at small displays set up at other area retailers.
Earlier this year, she decided to take the leap and open a brick-and-mortar storefront to have a more permanent location to display her work. She’s now able to do that and more with her First Avenue location, which opened in October.
In addition to her own artwork, the Dyersville store also displays work or products from other area artisans such as candles from a Maquoketa, Iowa-based vendor and handmade cards from a Dubuque artist.
“That used to be me. I was in boutiques and stores with smaller displays, and that really helped me,” Watters said. “Now, I want to give that same opportunity back to other people to have their (work) reach a bigger group of people.”
Watters said her focus is on offering customers a unique shopping experience by stocking an eclectic inventory of decor, gifts and other items. One particularly popular section so far has been a selection of humorous cards and holiday gifts.
Already, she said she’s seen strong support from the Dyersville community, and she expressed optimism to see that trend continue throughout the ongoing holiday season.
“It’s been busy, but it’s been fantastic,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch people come in and see that joy on their face when they find something that they love.”
This & That Designs is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Additional information is available on the This and That Designs Facebook page.
Pet grooming business opens in Dubuque
A new pet services business has opened in Dubuque with a focus on improving animal-owner relationships.
SoulDog recently opened at 1860 Central Ave. next to Oh Happy Play. The business offers professional grooming services for dogs, cats and rabbits, as well as canine training courses.
“We’re excited to build relationships with all the clients here in Dubuque,” said co-owner Brilyn Bacino. “We really want to get to know everybody and build those connections with all the animals (and owners).
Bacino ran a grooming business in Wisconsin for almost seven years prior to her recent move to Bellevue, Iowa. She sold that business before the move, she explained, with plans to open a new shop in Iowa.
The Central Avenue storefront was chosen because of its downtown location and square footage. The recently redesigned space now is outfitted for both grooming and training services with a focus on obedience and balance training.
The goal is to connect with each animal, Bacino explained, as well as their owners.
“We recognize how special the bond that people have with their animals can be and we want to highlight that,” Bacino said. “Even in the grooming, we’re really big on having a relationship with the owner and making sure that we’re all on the same page.”
There are no breed or weight restrictions for services, Bacino said, although pricing is dependent on the animal’s weight. For additional information on services and booking details, visit tinyurl.com/souldogllc.
New coffee bar opens in Farley
After a year on the road, an area coffee truck has put down roots in a brick-and-mortar location.
Thirsty Goat recently opened at 106 First St. inside Cottonwood Custom Tees in Farley. The shop is open seven days a week and offers a variety of coffee drinks, tea and other beverages in the heart of downtown Farley.
“This is one of those things that people have always talked about wanting in Farley, but there was never a good spot,” said owner Jayme Lammers. “I was able to find the space to do it, … and everyone has been very supportive.”
Lammers first opened Thirsty Goat as an on-the-go coffee trailer that she and her family took to events around the tri-state area. The trailer was built from an old goat trailer from her family farm, thus the “Thirsty Goat” moniker.
As the trailer’s popularity grew, Lammers began to think about establishing a full-time, brick-and-mortar presence to complement the mobile operation.
She already ran Cottonwood Custom Tees, a custom clothing business, and said it made sense to combine the two together and create a space for Thirsty Goat within the First Street storefront.
“The visibility is very good. You have to drive by the store to get pretty much anywhere in Farley,” she said. “And it works because now when I have customers coming in to shop for the custom-printed items, they can grab a coffee or a tea off the menu.”
The coffee bar opened Nov. 15, Lammers said, and already has received strong support from the Farley community.
Moving forward, she hopes to reward that support by offering an even wider menu set to eventually include smoothies, frappes, snacks and more.
Already, the Thirsty Goat menu includes signature lattes, drip coffee, boba drinks and lit teas that come in a variety of flavors.
“I really like the lit teas myself,” Lammers said. “The wildberry burst (flavor) has been a hit, so if someone doesn’t know what they want, I can usually hook them with that one and they end up coming back for more.”
Thirsty Goat is open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. Additional information and a full menu can be found online at tinyurl.com/thirstygoat.