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

Two Dubuque businesses are set to debut this week on Hillcrest Road.

Maen & Co., a full-service salon, will open Thursday, Feb. 1, at 3460 Hillcrest Road. Ivy & Thread, a women’s and children’s boutique, recently opened at the same address. Both businesses are owned and operated by Kaitlyn Engling.

“The storefronts are connected by interior doors, so it’s really nice that people can get the best of both worlds and check out both the salon and the boutique at the same time,” Engling said.

While the storefront is new, the Ivy & Thread brand is not. Engling previously ran the business online and has held several “pop-up” events across Dubuque to promote the store.

The goal was always to open a physical storefront once the business had built up enough of a following to support a brick-and-mortar location, Engling said. Already, Engling has seen some familiar faces from previous pop-up events.

The store sells women’s clothing sizes small through 4XL and youth items for newborns through children’s size 8.

“Doing those pop-up events definitely helped with foot traffic because people have been following the Ivy & Thread name,” she said. “It’s really nice to have this permanent space now, though.”

Maen & Co. is a new endeavor for Engling that grew from her previous work as a cosmetologist at other area salons. The 10-chair salon offers a variety of services related to hair, makeup and skin care.

The salon also has a suite specifically for bridal services for women looking for a private, personalized environment to get ready on their wedding day.

In March, Engling plans to add a “head spa” for clients interested in improving their scalp health. Such services are helpful for scalp-related concerns such as eczema, hair loss, oily hair and more, she said.

“It’s kind of like getting a facial but on your head,” Engling said. “It’s all about your scalp and creating a healthy environment for the rest of your hair, and it can really be tailored to whatever you need.”

Maen & Co. is open by appointment and can be contacted for scheduling at 563-552-6610. The hours for Ivy & Thread are posted weekly on the boutique’s Facebook page, which can be found at facebook.com/IvyThreadBoutique.

cosmetologist turns to teaching

A Dubuque cosmetologist now is training other technicians in the art of the craft.

Jasmine Nakea, owner of Jazlash, is offering eyelash extension classes out of her studio at 4855 Asbury Road. The two-to-three-day course offers a back-to-basic approach for aspiring lash technicians.

Nakea said acquiring a variety of standard skills can go a long way in establishing a successful business in the industry.

“If you’re a true professional and your client knows you care about your service and the cleanliness of that service, they’re going to come back and they’re going to tell everyone about you,” Nakea said.

Nakea has been a licensed cosmetologist for 13 years and previously owned Glam Salon at 3340 Center Grove Drive before moving to Las Vegas.

She returned to Dubuque last year and set up shop on Asbury Road. There, she specializes in eyelash extensions and makeup for weddings and other special occasions.

Nakea decided to add a teaching component as she saw the popularity of lash extensions rise both locally and nationwide.

“When I started doing lashes, it was like you had to know somebody who knew somebody to get your lashes done,” she said. “Now, it’s more in the public eye and it’s a lot more talked about, and that’s come with a lot of people wanting to get into it.”

The training can be offered in person or online, Nakea said. She already has worked with several local cosmetologists and recently worked with a virtual client from Africa. Each course can be specialized for clients wanting to work on a specific skill.

Additional information about the training and Nakea’s other services and products can be found online at jasminenakea.com. Jazlash is open for in-person appointments 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, or later by appointment.

antique store opens in Dyersville

A new antique store has opened in Dyersville with the goal of having “something for everyone.”

Josiah’s Antiques & Treasures recently opened at 101 First Ave. W. in Dyersville. The store offers a variety of vintage antiques as well as retro collectibles from the late 20th century.

“It’s kind of a hybrid of two things I love,” said owner Josiah Wurm. “It’s those old-fashioned antiques and pop culture stuff from the ’80s. Something for everyone, that was my idea.”

Wurm said his interest in antiques started roughly five years ago when he attended an estate sale on a whim. As he picked up items at the sale, he began to research them online to learn more about the items’ history.

He soon began to collect items to resell online or at antique fairs around the area. Around that same time, he also started setting up booths at regional conventions to buy and sell retro collectibles such as old games or figurines.

“I just really fell in love with picking up whatever item piqued my interest and learning its history,” Wurm said. “That’s how it started, but it really ballooned from there into all this.”

As his collection grew, Wurm began to realize he needed space to store and display his items. The idea of opening a physical location subsequently bloomed, but he didn’t take the leap until he heard about an open storefront on Dyersville’s First Avenue late last year.

Wurm jumped on the location in a “spur of the moment” decision and since has filled it with myriad unique and/or nostalgic items. His antique collection includes a variety of furniture, glassware and other décor.

He also sells a variety of figurines, toys and model kits from the ’80s and ’90s for customers looking to relive a more recent time in history.

“It’s great to see people’s joy when they find an old toy or something they had back in the day,” Wurm said. “They buy it, and it’s like they get to relive that memory.”

Josiah’s Antiques & Treasures is operating on winter hours. It is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. More information is available at its Facebook page at bit.ly/42eoE4C.