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

A new salon has opened as one part of a multi-phase commercial project in Dubuque.

Beck Lifestyle Salon recently opened at 2613 University Ave. The salon employs several independent cosmetologists who offer a variety of beauty services such as spray tanning and hair and makeup services.

“Each suite has everything a stylist would need to support their own clientele,” co-owner Alicia Ellerbeck said. “We’ve already leased out two of our suites and our spray tanning room, but we have one more (suite) left to fill.”

Alicia Ellerbeck, a cosmetologist with 20 years of experience, owns the salon with her husband, Alex Ellerbeck. The pair previously operated a salon in Galena, Ill., before converting the space into vacation rentals.

The couple bought the University Avenue building in late 2023 and spent about a year rehabilitating the roughly 100-year-old structure. The space now is equipped with three individual salon suites, an area for spray tan services and a small retail area for beauty products.

Two hair stylists already operate out of the salon — Isabella Garcia, of Babes by Bella, and Hattie Salmonson, of Frey Beauty Bar — and one suite remains open for another stylist. Jessi Recker, with Gotta Glo Spray Tanning, occupies the spray tan space.

“The stylists who are working there right now, all of their clients have been so excited,” Alex Ellerbeck said. “They walk in, and right away the first thing they say is, ‘Wow, I love this place. It feels so special.’”

Alex Ellerbeck added that the salon is one of several projects planned for the University Avenue building, which remains under construction.

With the salon up and running, the couple’s attention now turns to a planned boutique on the second floor that Alicia Ellerbeck said will stock a variety of women’s clothing, beauty products, home goods and more.

“We’re going to have some women’s clothing and some home goods,” she said. “Right now we carry Davines products for hair care, so that’ll be up there, and we’re looking to bring in a skin care line, as well.”

A third commercial project is planned for the remaining space on the building’s north side, she added, though it is still in the early stages. For updates or booking information, visit elleandbecks.com or visit the Beck Lifestyle Salon & Boutique Facebook page.

Healthy eatery coming to Dubuque

A new eatery is coming to Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District with a focus on nutrition, education and wellness.

Construction began last week on Mindful Bites and inVOLVed Lifestyle Services in the Dupaco Voices building at 1000 Jackson St. The eatery is expected to open in early spring, per owner Kim David.

“We are answering a need to have more nutritional, healthy food options for people in Dubuque,” David said. “It’s one phase in our ongoing mission to support healthy living in our community.”

David also runs Volv Fitness, a fitness center at 340 E. 12th St., and leads The Crocus Foundation, a nonprofit she founded that is dedicated to supporting those affected by cancer before and after remission.

Mindful Bites is an extension of that work, David said, and will offer a variety of nutrition-oriented meals and snacks such as fresh smoothies, pressed juices and grab-and-go meals. The eatery will be open Monday through Friday with a focus on serving the breakfast and lunch crowd.

The space also will house inVOLVed Lifestyle Services, a resource center and health coaching service rooted in community education. Outside of food service hours, David said, the space will host educational programming, cooking classes and other wellness events.

“It’s exciting to link everything together between fitness, nutrition and wellness,” she said. “I’m really excited to be able to offer services that can impact people’s ability to live a good, healthy life.”

The plan is to launch a Mindful Bites website and relevant social media pages by the end of February, David said. For more information in the meantime, visit tinyurl.com/MindfulBitesDBQ.

Galena herbalist relocating retail store

A Galena herbalist is relocating her retail store in hopes of increasing awareness and accessibility of holistic, herbal products.

Enchanted Herb Shop soon will reopen at 212 N. Main St. in downtown Galena. The shop offers a variety of teas, tinctures and other herbal remedies, as well as spiritual items such as books, crystals and cards.

“Helping people is what keeps me going,” owner Tamara Ambroz said. “People are looking for things right now that make them feel better about their life situations and feel better in their bodies, so my goal is to help them do those things.”

Ambroz opened Enchanted Herb Shop three years ago, though her interest in herbal remedies goes back more than a decade. Ambroz long had been interested in nature, but a desire to bolster her family’s wellness pushed her to learn about the medicinal elements of herbalism.

She went on to study herbal medicine and was mentored under renowned herbalist David Winston. Ambroz now is a traditional western herbalist and has completed training in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

She uses that knowledge to stock her store with holistic herbal remedies, including a line of teas and tonics she created to help with common ailments.

“The idea is to find something that is going to be convenient and consistent for the client (to address a certain need),” Ambroz said.

Ambroz said she decided to relocate to 212 N. Main St. to make the most of the downtown Galena foot traffic. She already operated out of a storefront on the edge of the Main Street commercial district, but her new location is more centrally located.

The new storefront also has a commercial kitchen, which will allow her to make her remedies on site and engage customers in workshops and one-on-one consultations that were more limited in her former location.

“The kitchen is really a key piece because it expands my ability to serve the community,” she said. “It means that I can do more things hands-on when it comes to working with individual clients and protocols.”

Enchanted Herb Shop is temporarily closed while renovations on the new store are completed. Ambroz intends to open by the end of the month, and updates are available on the store’s Facebook and Instagram pages.