Corrected: This story has been updated to correct a phone number for Hometown Hair & Barber.

Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from the tri-state area. This edition highlights developments in Dubuque; Stockton, Ill.; and Cuba City, Wis.

A Dubuque brewing company has acquired a well-known downtown events center.

7 Hills Brewing Co. now manages the former Millwork Ballroom in the Novelty Iron Works Building at 333 E. 10th St. The space has been rebranded as 7 Hills Ballroom and will continue to host weddings and other large events.

“The elegance and the size of it alone is amazing,” said 7 Hills CEO Keith Gutierrez. “There’s this sense when you walk in of that historic, rustic nature with the wood beams and the lighting, and it’s a big draw for the wedding crowd.”

Already, 7 Hills Event Center operates at 1098 Jackson St. Gutierrez said that space has found success hosting weddings, board meetings and other private gatherings as long as group sizes remained under roughly 150 people.

In comparison, 7 Hills Ballroom can hold over 400.

“The size alone is huge,” Gutierrez said. “(7 Hills Event Center) is great for smaller, more intimate gatherings, but we were losing a lot of those bigger wedding parties to larger event spaces.”

Now, Gutierrez said, 7 Hills has something for everyone. The event center will continue to operate for smaller events, the ballroom can be booked for larger gatherings and the 7 Hills restaurant and brewhouse at nearby 1085 Washington St. is available for more casual affairs.

There are no major changes planned for the ballroom at this time, Gutierrez said, though alterations likely will be made over time to improve operational efficiency. Officials also plan to relocate the main ballroom entrance to Washington Street to be closer to the other 7 Hills operations.

“I expect a lot of cross-utilization of the three spaces,” Gutierrez said. “Someone could have their rehearsal dinner at (the events center) and then their wedding reception at the ballroom without ever leaving the Millwork (District).”

Ballroom reservations made prior to 7 Hills’ management will be honored, and further booking is available through 7 Hills. More information can be found online at www.7hillsbrew.com or by emailing events.7hillsbrew@gmail.com.

Equine-centered endeavor opens in NW Illinois

A new tack shop has opened in Jo Daviess County to cater to the local equestrian community.

Hudson’s Tack and More recently opened at 110 W. Front Ave. in Stockton, Ill. The store sells saddles and tack equipment and offers related services such as boot fitting and custom tack evaluations.

“Lots of behavioral issues with a horse start with the tack,” said store manager Kristina Larkin. “Ill-fitting tack makes horses unhappy, so we’ll come out and make sure everything is fitting correctly and is comfortable.”

The Stockton store is named for Larkin’s “heart horse,” Hudson, a former member of the White Plains (New York) Mounted Police Unit. Now pushing 40, the thoroughbred is enjoying his retirement in the hills of Jo Daviess County.

“Hudson has truly taught me more about horsemanship than I could ever hope to teach him,” Larkin said. “He’s got a great spirit, and he’s just really happy with life.”

All merchandise at the Stockton tack shop is Hudson-approved, Larkin said, and each item comes with a recommendation from a local rider. In addition to tack, the store also sells treats, supplements and more.

Additional information about the shop can be found online at bit.ly/3vyudic. The store is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cuba City hair salon completes renovation, expands services

When Michelle Kuster planned a total interior remodel of her Cuba City hair salon, there was one item she knew had to remain the same.

Everything else was replaced or refurbished, from the floor panels to the repainted, elevated ceiling. Through it all, however, one staple remained: A classic green barber chair that has stood in the shop for decades.

“I just knew it had to stay,” Kuster said. “It’s been here for 50 years, so it’s vintage now. Everyone knows that chair.”

Kuster recently completed her renovation of Hometown Hair & Barber at 105 S. Main St. after purchasing the business roughly three years ago from longtime area barber Joanie Von Glahn.

Kuster since has worked to expand the salon’s offerings for Cuba City residents. The salon now offers cut, color and styling services for women, men and children, as well as a dedicated area for manicures and nail care.

Soon, she also will add an eyelash technician to the team for lash extensions.

“Small towns deserve nice, new things, too,” Kuster said. “Sometimes, you need to just be able to go down the street for something like this instead of having to drive 30 minutes.”

Throughout the remodel, Kuster said she kept the shop’s namesake top of mind. She worked to keep the space homey and inviting, she said, so every client could feel comfortable coming in for their appointment.

“I want people to come in and feel at home, that’s why I named it ‘Hometown Hair,’” she said. “A lot of people think we’re still a full-time barbershop, but we have a lot of other services to offer.”

This fall, she also plans to start an exterior remodel to better match the salon’s façade to its current brand and services.

Hometown Hair & Barber currently is accepting new clients, Kuster said, and the shop can be reached at 608-744-3643 or 608-885-0177.

The salon is open by appointment from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Walk-ins will be accepted as availability allows.