Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from the tri-state area. This edition highlights developments in Galena, Ill.; Dubuque; and Manchester, Iowa.

GALENA, Ill. — Matt and Mike Blaum have co-run Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. for just over a decade, but the brothers agree each day at the Galena distillery still offers a chance to try something new.

This spring, for example, the distillery will open the first of the barrels set aside when the company opened and sell its first batch of 10-year, single-malt whiskey. It’s the oldest batch the distillery has made thus far.

“The higher the age is, the more desirable it is typically,” said Matt Blaum. “After 10 years, a lot of the whiskey has evaporated, so you won’t find as much whiskey in a 10-year barrel as one aged for five years.”

Blaum Bros. Distilling recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. In addition to whiskey, the distillery at 9380 W. U.S. 20 also crafts and sells other spirits such as bourbon, vodka and gin.

The distillery opened Dec. 20, 2013, after the Blaum brothers decided to open a business together around their shared interest in quality spirits. Previously, Mike worked for the federal government, and Matt worked in the health care field.

“Not many people can say they quit their day jobs to do something they loved that they’re still doing 10 years later,” Mike Blaum said. “It’s gone by so fast, but we couldn’t have done it without the support from the local community.”

The pair have become well-known in the distilling community for high-quality products. Customers have camped in the parking lot ahead of new releases and traveled from across the country for one bottle, Matt said.

Moving forward, the pair looks to open Blaum Bros. Public House on Galena’s Main Street in March. The space will include room for additional programming and two bars with a menu of cocktails, full bottles and some food.

The distillery will continue to operate on U.S. 20.

“Main Street has been a dream of ours from the beginning,” Mike Blaum said. “It’ll give us more opportunities as far as the types of fun things we can serve and experiences we can offer that we can’t do right now in our current tasting room.”

Tours are available of the Blaum brothers’ distillery at various times throughout the week. More information about those tours and Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. can be found online at blaumbros.com.

Dubuque car dealership begins major renovation

A Dubuque car dealership is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation.

Finnin Kia at 4355 Dodge St. recently began work on the project, which dealership President April Finnin-Rink said by the end of the year will “encompass the entire dealership.”

“We’re trying to change the perception of car buying to be quick, comfortable and fun,” Finnin-Rink said. “… I’m really excited about this project because it will better allow us to meet the needs of our customer base.”

Finnin-Rink said the renovation was prompted by “capacity constraints” driven by increasing consumer demand. Those constraints are particularly tight in the service department, she said, which services new vehicles as well as returning customers.

The renovation will expand the services and parts department, adding more hoists and a dedicated workspace for electric vehicles. The project also will include an additional finance office, a new break room, improvements to the waiting area and more.

“We’re seeing more and more customers who are waiting with their vehicle (during maintenance), and they’ll bring phones or laptops, so we want to be able to accommodate that and offer a nice, welcoming place for them to wait,” Finnin-Rink said.

The dealership will remain fully operational throughout the renovation.

The sales department is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The parts and services department is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Calls can be directed to 563-583-8825.

Woodworker opens retail space in Manchester

Kerry Tucker’s new Delaware County business has been decades in the making.

The Manchester-based artisan has honed his woodworking skills since he was a child, perfecting various cuts and corners and intertwining his projects with a personal preference for locally sourced or recycled materials.

With the recent opening of Renewed Visions — Across the Bridge, a new woodworking shop and retail space in Manchester, Tucker now can show those skills off — literally.

“I put this big window between the retail area and the woodworking space because a lot of people don’t know what all goes into making a solid piece of furniture,” Tucker said. “I wanted it to be a sort of experience where they could learn.”

Renewed Visions opened last month at 105 S. Main St. and is co-owned by Tucker and his fiancée, Kelley Harbach. In addition to featuring Tucker’s own work, the retail store also offers a variety of other items from over a dozen local vendors.

One shelf is full of paintings, while another holds rows of candles and soap. Wooden furniture stained in shades from pale white to deep brown fill the store while holding displays of handmade jewelry or pottery.

“Pretty much everything is made in Iowa,” Tucker said. “It was important to me to support local vendors and our small-town community.”

The past month has proved fruitful, Tucker said, and the business has received a warm welcome from the Manchester community.

Moving forward, Tucker plans to keep a good rotation of items in the store to ensure customers always can find something new and exciting. He also hopes to engage in community outreach and is considering hosting classes for area youth.

“I want to make something that offers something for every member of the community,” he said. “… Creating that excitement and atmosphere has been awesome, and everyone who walks in the door has shared that feeling.”

Renewed Visions — Across the Bridge is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. More information on the store and Tucker’s custom orders can be found online at renewed-visions.com.