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

A local father-daughter duo hopes to have found the recipe for success with the launch of a new Dubuque bakery.

The Roux & Lucia bakery recently opened at 333 Bryant St. The European-inspired boulangerie offers a variety of sweet and savory pastry options, as well as a beverage menu that includes coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

“We went with an atmosphere that is very light and airy,” said co-owner Roux Conlon Loar. “There’s windows everywhere, and you can see the bakers working in the back. We want it to be very cozy and welcoming.”

The bakery is the first of a two-phased project planned by Conlon Loar and her father, Tim Conlon. Early next year, the pair also will launch a full cafe and market in the adjacent building at 620 S. Grandview Ave.

Once open, the cafe will include a large seating area and a market and deli section filled with a mix of locally sourced and internationally imported items — some of which already can be found in a small retail section set up within the bakery.

“It’s a lot of little jams, tea and coffee, but there’s also mugs and (decorative) tea towels,” Conlon Loar said. “We wanted to give people a taste of what we’ll have at a larger scale once the market opens.”

The bakery also has the distinction of being the new home of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa’s iconic cinnamon bread.

Beloved by many, the bread was made for years by sisters and staff at Sinsinawa Mound in southwest Wisconsin and sold at the mound’s gift shop, as well as online and at the Dubuque Farmers Market.

The mound’s bakery operations ceased earlier this year as part of the congregation’s efforts to downsize its physical footprint on the mound, but a partnership was struck with the Conlon family to continue production of the cinnamon bread.

“We were lucky enough to hire a lead baker who has worked at the mound and made the bread,” Conlon Loar said. “We’ve already had some women from (the Sinsinawa congregation) over for a taste test, and we’ve gotten the stamp of approval.”

The bakery currently is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. However, the plan is to also open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday starting the first full week of 2025. For more information, visit rouxandlucia.com.

SW Wisconsin gym under new ownership

An area couple have assumed ownership of a Darlington gym with the goal of helping others meet their fitness goals.

Scott and Michelle Berning recently acquired The Bar at 325 Main St. They previously exercised there as members and intend to keep the gym focused on resistance training and cardiovascular fitness.

“We started working out there a couple years ago, and it was just always on my mind how nice it was and how well taken care of,” Scott Berning said. “It all just kind of snowballed, and we ended up taking it over.”

Berning said the plan is to keep a similar setup and focus as the previous gym owners, Kyle and Taylor Thuli. The two-story gym offers a variety of free-weight equipment for overall fitness, and members can access the gym 24/7 using an app on their phone.

The new owners intend to add some additional equipment, however, and offer some guided classes. Scott Berning also is working toward becoming a certified personal trainer and intends to offer that expertise to gym members.

“The true focus and what we’re most excited about is on helping people reach levels of understanding needed to reach their (fitness) goals,” Berning said. “If people are hitting a plateau or feel stuck, we want to be there to help.”

For more information on pricing and membership packages, visit berningsbar.com.

New record store opens in downtown Dubuque

An area nostalgist hopes to strike a chord with music fans with the opening of a new downtown record store.

Ruix Records recently opened its doors at 1385 Jackson St. The downtown shop offers a variety of vinyl records from myriad musical genres and eras, as well as a selection of music-related retail items.

“One of the fun things about selling records in person as opposed to online or something is that you actually get to have that human moment and talk about the music,” said owner Bob Bucko. “It makes you happy knowing someone is walking out with something they’re going to enjoy.”

Bucko has worked in record stores “on and off” for more than 20 years, and he said Ruix Records was a natural continuation of his lifelong interest in music.

The store offers music from a variety of eras and genres that span from classic rock or jazz to hip hop and soul, and there also is a prominent section at the front of the shop dedicated to music from local and regional artists.

Ruix Records also has its own record player, Bucko added, so customers can try out a record prior to purchase.

“Record stores used to be where you went to learn about music,” he said. “That’s not as necessary now with the internet, but stores (like this) can still function as a kind of community hub where you can meet people and talk about music.”

Despite technological advancements that have opened up more listening avenues, Bucko opined that vinyl records have maintained their popularity through a mix of nostalgia and customers’ desire for a more tactile, immersive listening experience.

Some customers purchase records for display as collector’s items, he said, while others simply prefer the sound that comes from a vinyl record.

“People like the tactile nature of (records),” he said. “It’s something that you can hold and look at, … and it’s something that you own. The problem with streaming is that things can disappear, and the music can be taken away.”

Ruix Records is open from 2 to 10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The store will be closed on Christmas but will reopen Thursday, Dec. 26.