Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. This edition highlights developments in Dubuque and Peosta, Iowa, as well as Kieler, Wis.

A business selling hydroponics equipment and other gardening supplies has opened a physical location in Dubuque.

River City Hydro opened last month at 2245 Kerper Blvd., Suite 2, in the same building as Rainbo Oil Co. and Veterans Freedom Center. The business previously was online-only and called RVF Garden Supply before owner Tia Cullen took it over and rebranded it as River City Hydro.

“Technically my dad (Jason Cullen) started the business back in 2003 as an online hydroponics business,” Tia Cullen said. “I started working for him about seven years ago. Last year in July, I took over and rebranded it into River City Hydro.”

Jason Cullen said he started the initial business as an online one focused on hydroponics, a method of growing plants with a water-based nutrient solution instead of soil.

“It’s an easy, simple way to grow anything,” said Jason Cullen, who still helps out with River City Hydro.

In addition to hydroponic systems, the business also sells a variety of other indoor and outdoor gardening supplies, Tia Cullen said.

“We’ve doing pretty good,” she said of the business. “We’re just trying to get the word out there to get people growing their own food.”

Tia Cullen said finding a physical storefront was the best next step to continue to grow the business.

“Hopefully, I can make this a successful business and take care of my family and hopefully pass it along to my kids someday,” she said.

River City Hydro is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The business can be reached at 563-845-8361 and can be found online at rivercityhydro.com. The business can also be found on Facebook and Instagram @rivercityhydroshop.

Family practice office opens in Peosta

A family practice offering primary care and other services has opened a new office in Peosta.

Burds Family Practice opened June 5 in the new Peosta Square development at 8411 Peosta Commercial Court, Suite 8. The practice is owned by Jenny Burds.

“I have been a nurse practitioner since 2012, and I worked both inpatient and outpatient in that period of time,” Burds said. “This past year, I decided to serve my community in Peosta. My husband grew up in Peosta, and we’ve lived here 20 years now. These are my people, and this is where I wanted to serve.”

Burds said she has been working on getting the family practice opened over the past year. The office sees patients from birth to older adults for primary care purposes. Same-day sick visits also are available.

Burds said the office also offers an infrared sauna and skincare services, and a provider comes in on Wednesdays for medical aesthetic treatments.

In addition to serving her community, Burds said she is excited the office is in a great location at the new Peosta Square, which is near Round 2 and Northeast Iowa Community College.

“When I saw (Peosta Square developer Wes Schulte’s) plans and when I saw the building starting to go up, I just fell in love with the aesthetic,” Burds said. “It’s a beautiful building right in the middle of all the action.”

Burds Family Practice is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. The business can be reached at 563-588-6659.

Kieler business headquarters moving to new, larger space

A Kieler-headquartered screen printing and embroidery business will move to a new, larger location later this year.

WCC Brands Custom Apparel — currently located at 2104 Kunkel Lane in Kieler, next to Clare Bank — will move to a building currently under construction in Kieler Industrial Park. The business is owned by Corey Kaiser, Chad Kerkenbush, Tom Pickel and Jakub Skora.

“We’re a growing business,” Pickel said. “We’re in need of more space for more opportunities that are coming our way.”

WCC Brands Custom Apparel — previously known as Brand L Embroidery & Screen Printing — will be located in the southernmost of two smaller buildings currently under construction in the north end of the industrial park along U.S. 151. Pickel said they hope to have production and administrative offices moved into the new space this fall.

“I think this (current) building is close to 2,500 square feet,” he said. “The new one is 10,000 square feet, so it’s quite a bit more space.”

The move also comes after WCC Brands Custom Apparel merged with retail brand Wisconsin Clothing Co. last year, and Pickel said the increased space will help the business create more products. The company also has properties in Lancaster and La Crosse, Wis.

Pickel added that new machinery will take up more space, and the business will maintain its two-week turnaround time for customers after they place an order.

“We’re definitely excited to move into the new building,” Pickel said. “We’re busting at the seams trying to make it work in the current building. We’re definitely excited to take on bigger jobs with the same great quality at the same pace.”

WCC Brands Custom Apparel can be reached at 608-568-3200. The business can also be found online at wcc-brands.com and on Facebook.