Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. This edition highlights recent developments in Galena, Ill.; Dubuque; and East Dubuque, Ill.

A popular Galena business is making adjustments to accommodate continued growth.

Galena Canning Co. plans to open a commercial kitchen and warehouse facility in Potosi, Wis.

“We’ve outgrown our small kitchen,” said general manager Dawn Livingston.

While Livingston said there is not yet an exact date for the Potosi facility’s opening, a change has already been made to the company’s downtown Galena spaces.

For several years, the company had a kitchen and small retail space at

106 S. Main St. — home to the company’s hot sauces and spicy offerings — as well as a larger retail space at 107 S. Main St. with sweet and savory goods. About two weeks ago, they were combined following closure of the 106 S. Main St. space.

“There’s no need for that (106 S. Main St.) store, so we’re going to rent that out so someone has an opportunity to open in downtown Galena,” Livingston said. “It’s one-stop shopping for customers (at 107 S. Main St.). We hope it’s less confusing.”

The company also plans to launch a business center within its Galena storefront with offerings such as custom-made baskets and gift bags. The space also will serve as a shipping hub and potentially as a UPS drop-off facility, Livingston said.

One thing that will not change, however, is the company’s extensive merchandise catalogue of barbecue sauces, salsas, jams, marinades, mustards, hot sauces and more, Livingston said. At times, there are up to 400 hot sauces for customers to choose from.

Even with its interstate expansion, Livingston said the company is proud to be in Galena.

“There’s no place like Galena,” she said. “It’s like living on a Hallmark movie set. It’s a magical mile on Main Street.”

Galena Canning Co. is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Updates from the company are available at facebook. com/galenacanningco.

Card shop opens in Dubuque

What started as hobby for a Wisconsin man has developed into a burgeoning local business.

Josh Brothers, a Dubuque native now living in Horicon, Wis., has always had a passion for trading cards. When a multiple sclerosis diagnosis about eight years ago forced him out of a career working in factories, he was able to devote more time to his hobby.

“I just started doing more card shows,” he said. “(Eventually), I wanted to have a space of my own.”

He recently set up shop in a lower-level space behind 2115 John F. Kennedy Road in Dubuque under the name Card Castle LLC, selling a plethora of Pokemon cards.

Brothers held a soft opening Feb. 1 and has been promoting to his Facebook following as he continues to fill the space and figure out logistics. He is planning a grand opening the first weekend of April.

Brothers also has a helper in his 7-year-old son, Conor.

“He loves Pokemon,” Brothers said. “He’s been helping me with cards since he was a year or two old.”

Card Castle LLC is open noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, when Brothers and his family are able to make the commute from Horicon. Brothers said he hopes to expand these hours and also plans to add a few tables for his customers to trade cards or play with them.

“The goal is to make enough money to (personally) relocate to Dubuque … and be open seven days a week,” he said.

More information is available at facebook.com/cardcastle17.

Bridge City Collective opening East Dubuque dispensary

Bridge City Collective is hosting a grand opening for its East Dubuque dispensary this weekend.

The dispensary, at 122 Sinsinawa Ave., will offer a range of cannabis products, such as flower, edibles, vaporizers, topicals and THC soda.

Bridge City Collective President David Alport said the dispensary is large enough to accommodate busy crowds and that a majority of the planned 25 staff members already have been hired.

“It’s spacious, and we have a lot of staff to help people,” Alport said.

Alport said Bridge City Collective’s penchant for craft cannabis — which he compared to craft beer for its production in smaller batches and higher quality — helps it stand out.

The dispensary will also feature accessories, in addition to the cannabis products.

“We have some really cool East Dubuque shirts,” Alport said.

There will also be a communal space adjacent to the dispensary, to which the company will add greenery, a water feature and benches when the weather warms up, Alport said.

This addition, and generally setting up in downtown East Dubuque, came with a larger goal. Alport said his company hopes to help the community thrive.

“We saw that … as a way to stimulate investment and revitalize that downtown core area,” he said.

The dispensary will have discounts for educators and for customers age 60-plus, Alport said, as well as a rewards program.

The Saturday, March 8, grand opening will include discounts of up to 50%. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be additional deals and giveaways, pop-ups with product vendors and complimentary food from local food truck The Hangry Hobo while supplies last.

A portion of the day’s sales, up to $1,000, will go to East Dubuque Greater Events (EDGE) Foundation and local American Legion Post 787.

“We’re just excited to be there and serve the community,” Alport said. “We’re ready.”

Bridge City Collective was formed in 2010 in Oregon and bills itself as a “coast-to-coast fellowship of cannabis operators, educators, activists, and innovators,” per its website.

Bridge City Collective Dispensary East Dubuque will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. More information is available at bridgecitycollective.com/east-dubuque-dispensary/.