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Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from the tri-states. This edition highlights developments in Dubuque; Maquoketa, Iowa; and Lancaster, Wis.
A new fitness center has opened in Dubuque with a focus on functional strength training and community building.
XRP Fitness recently opened at 190 N. Crescent Ridge in Dubuque, down the hill behind Hobby Lobby. The gym offers group fitness classes and personal training, among other services.
The facility is owned and operated by couple Mike and Brandi Schaeffer, who also run an XRP Fitness in their hometown of DeWitt, Iowa.
“For us, it’s all about the joy of getting to know people and watching them hit their individual benchmarks or goals,” Mike Schaeffer said. “It could be their first pull-up … or losing X number of pounds, but whatever it is, we want to be there to help make it happen.”
XRP Fitness is focused on functional strength training aimed at building muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance using free weights and circuit training, Schaeffer explained.
The gym offers both group and individual training options and has an on-staff nutritionist. Its group classes help build a community between members, Schaeffer added, and hold people accountable to their fitness goals.
“You see somebody in a class once or twice, and you just start communicating,” Schaeffer said. “It turns into ‘Good job on that one!’ or ‘Are you coming to class tomorrow?’ and it just helps hold each other accountable.”
The couple opened their DeWitt fitness center in 2021 and decided to open a second location in Dubuque because of the ongoing development and growing demand for services in western portions of Dubuque, particularly along U.S. 20 toward Peosta.
Schaeffer said he and his wife are looking forward to offering a unique, personalized fitness experience for area residents.
The gym offers multiple group classes a day and personal training by appointment, but it will soon transition to a 24/7 model to allow even more flexibility for members in addition to the group classes.
“We still want to offer all our benefits to parents who have young kids or (members with otherwise) busy schedules,” Schaeffer said. “The (24/7 model) means even if your schedule looks different every day, you can still have a chance to stop in and work out.”
XRP Fitness can be contacted by phone at 563-659-7924 or on its Facebook page at facebook.com/XRPdubuque.
Maquoketa pet business under new ownership
A Maquoketa pet business has changed hands and expanded services.
Wade and Aimee Heinrich recently purchased Wag More at 1100 E. Platt St. in Maquoketa. The facility offers boarding and doggy day care services, and the couple recently added grooming and obedience training.
The pair initially wanted to open their own facility a few years ago, but Wade Heinrich said pandemic-related disruptions thwarted those plans. When Wag More’s owners approached the Heinrichs about buying the business, he said it offered a renewed chance to achieve that dream.
“We’ve always loved dogs and enjoyed helping people,” he said. “It just took a little longer in life than we originally thought to put two and two together.”
The facility has 13 kennels, and the owners plan to add 10 more among other cosmetic improvements to the building.
The couple already added grooming services with a Maquoketa-based groomer, who has quickly proved popular with area clientele.
“Our phone just blew up for a while when we made the announcement about grooming,” Heinrich said. “It’s a service that a lot of people need, but not one that everyone offers.”
Wade Heinrich also is an experienced dog trainer and has trained dogs from Missouri to Minnesota.
He’ll now be providing those services to Wag More, he said, working with pet owners individually to determine what they’re hoping to achieve for their dog.
“It’s different for everyone who makes the greatest dog in the world, so it’s all about figuring out what each person wants from their training,” he said. “Overall, I just want people to have a better life with their dog.”
For more information, Wag More can be reached by phone at 563-221-2383 or at its Facebook page, facebook.com/WagMore.
SW Wisconsin steakhouse hopes to serve up local flavor
A new steakhouse focusing on promoting local livestock operations has opened in southwest Wisconsin.
Madison Street Steakhouse & Grill recently opened at 103 N. Madison St. in Lancaster. The steakhouse is open Thursday and Friday evenings and serves a variety of steaks and sandwiches.
Restaurant owner Kelsi Retallick said all the beef served at the steakhouse comes from her family’s farm in Glen Haven, Wis., roughly 25 minutes outside Lancaster, and the pork is sourced locally from another area operation.
“We raise all of our own beef, so it really is a farm-to-table program,” Retallick said. “I’m looking forward to engaging with our customers and being able to promote local agriculture and promote the livestock industry.”
Madison Street Steakhouse operates out of the space adjacent to The Meat Shoppe, a butcher shop Retallick co-owns with her parents. The space previously operated as Karla’s Kitchen, a restaurant that closed earlier this year.
When that restaurant closed, Retallick said she saw an opportunity to expand on The Meat Shoppe’s success and reach out to a larger clientele.
“All of our meat comes directly from The Meat Shoppe,” she said. “We wanted to tailor the space to a larger audience and be able to promote our steaks that you might not find at other places around here.”
The menu at Madison Street Steakhouse includes a variety of steaks, including ribeye, sirloin and filet mignon. Customers also can choose from burgers, a slow-smoked brisket sandwich and a mix of appetizers and sides.
The main dining area can hold 40 to 50 people, Retallick said, with overflow seating in the bar and backroom for an additional 20 diners. In addition to its dining hours, the space also can be rented for catered parties or events.
“We’ve had a great crowd, and we’re already booking parties,” Retallick said. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, and everyone’s been so welcoming.”
The steakhouse currently is open to the public from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and for reservations throughout the week. Interested parties can contact the restaurant at 608-723-7979.