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Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. This edition highlights developments in Graf, Iowa; Maquoketa, Iowa; and Dubuque.
GRAF, Iowa — A longtime Dubuque County automotive repair shop has opened at a new location under new ownership.
Rick Soppe recently assumed ownership of Tri-State Auto Diagnostics at 491 Graf Road across from the Heritage Trail in Graf. He took over for Joe McKillip, who ran the business for over 30 years.
The auto shop previously existed at 5200 Old Highway Road in Dubuque, but Soppe relocated and reopened the shop this summer.
“I’m just excited about meeting new people and getting customers into the new shop,” Soppe said. “That’s really what the next step is now that we’re up and running here (in Graf).”
Soppe has worked in the automotive industry for 27 years, all of which he has spent at Tri-State Auto Diagnostics. When McKillip — who also is Soppe’s father-in-law — was looking to retire late last year, Soppe stood out as an obvious choice to carry on the business.
Soppe decided to relocate the shop from Old Highway Road to Graf to be closer to the home he shares with his wife, Alicia, and he had the new 2,400-square-foot shop built on an old horse pasture near the Heritage Trail.
The shop was closed for several months during the building process, and the new shop officially opened in June.
“We basically started from scratch,” Soppe said. “It was an old pasture that turned into an auto shop over a few months, and it was really a sort of bottom-up-and-then-some kind of project.”
The shop is equipped for a variety of automotive services, Soppe said, ranging from oil changes and other regular maintenance to replacing a motor or repairing a transmission. The business currently is a one-man show, although he anticipates hiring additional help once settled in the new shop.
Soppe added he intends to carry on McKillip’s legacy of offering quality service at reasonable prices for tri-state area drivers.
“Over the years, I’ve gotten to know a lot of our customers, and now I get to carry on the (Tri-State Auto Diagnostics) name,” he said. “Already, I’ve had a lot of people follow me out here, and I’m excited to see that happen more and more now that we’re open.”
Tri-State Auto Diagnostics is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays by appointment. The new store is located roughly 15 minutes outside of Dubuque, and customers can reach the business by phone at 563-583-9679.
Area electrician launches business
An area electrician has opened his own business in Jackson County.
Lane Dundee launched PowerUp Electric this spring. The company operates in Maquoketa and services customers anywhere within an hour of the city.
“We’re mainly focused on service work, but each job is different in its own way” Dundee explained. “People call when they need stuff done, and we try to get in and fix it as quickly as we can.”
Dundee opened PowerUp Electric after eight years in the electrical industry as a means to stand behind his own work and create a name for himself. In addition to Dundee, the business employs three full-time workers and a high school intern.
The business serves a variety of clients with a focus on residential installations or repairs. Each job is preceded by an on-site consultation, Dundee explained, and customers will receive appointment reminders the day before and immediately ahead of their appointment via text.
Pricing is discussed and disclosed prior to any electrical working taking place for transparency and efficiency.
“The whole process was set up to make everything go smoothly,” Dundee said. “From the time the call to set it up to when it’s time to pay, we want it to be easy.”
PowerUp Electric is available by appointment and can be reached by phone at 563-223-8081 or online at powerupelectric-iowa.com.
New salon opens in Dubuque
A new salon has opened in Dubuque with a focus on uplifting clients and stylists alike.
Pure Roots Salon recently opened at 4486 Dodge St., near Longhorn Saddlery & Western Wear. The salon offers a variety of cosmetology services, including hair cuts and color, waxing, eyelash extensions and more.
The space is staffed by a cohort of independent cosmetologists who rent spots from salon owner Stephanie Duve.
“With Pure Roots, I really wanted to create a warm, welcoming environment for clients and stylists,” Duve said. “I want it to be a place where clients feel comfortable and stylists can feel inspired to do their best work.”
Duve added that Pure Roots was laid out with cooperation in mind.
The open-concept salon has eight stylist stations, as well as a private suite and esthetician room. Most of the slots are filled, though Duve still is looking for three more stylists to round out the team.
Each stylist will operate independently, she explained, but with plenty of opportunities to collaborate or connect with other stylists.
“We really want to focus on adding positive individuals to the team,” she said. “We’re looking for folks who are the right fit and who will really add something to the salon.”
The salon also is equipped with an upper-level loft area where clients and stylists alike can relax during their downtime. The space also can be reserved for bridal parties or other groups looking for a more intimate experience.
“In a salon, it can get a little chaotic, so the loft is a real plus because it gives people a space where they can go and have a little separation from all that,” Duve said.
Pure Roots is open by appointment. Information on services and availability can be found online at tinyurl.com/PureRootsSalon or by calling 563-542-5777.
Additional details also will be available during a grand opening celebration slated for 3:30 to 7 p.m. today at the salon.