Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-state area. In addition to this update from Dubuque, we will share other developments in Wednesday’s edition.

A pizza restaurant in Dubuque’s Millwork District is undergoing renovations to expand its offerings.

Driftless Pizza Co. owner Jacob Simmons, who also owns arcade and taproom Backpocket Dubuque in the same building, said busy nights at his businesses have necessitated growth.

“We’ve been running long wait times Fridays and Saturdays,” he said. “We wanted to shorten that up.”

Simmons said kitchen expansions already have been completed, and work is nearing completion on several other additions to Driftless Pizza, including a “flight room.”

The space will feature pool tables and steel-tipped darts with automated scoring.

Simmons said this concept was inspired by his taproom, which is also known for its games.

“The concept … has worked well for us,” he said. “It’s just more for people to do (while they) get a pizza, grab a beer.”

Also in the flight room are three “snugs” or “nooks,” which offer customers more privacy.

“It’s an Irish concept — a little cozy space tucked away from the main area,” Simmons said.

Simmons said the basement below the restaurant — formerly home to The Jester’s Lounge — also is undergoing major renovations.

“It only made sense for us to expand that, as well,” Simmons said.

The space will be used for private parties, Simmons said. The area already features a built-in bar space, and additional games such as ping pong and foosball will be offered.

“We have a pretty vibrant event business in Backpocket,” Simmons said. “This will now be another space.”

Still less than a year old, Driftless Pizza’s growth has been great, Simmons said.

“It’s been an overall positive response,” Simmons said. “We got great feedback from the public on the pizza.”

Simmons said New York-style pizza long has been popular in Dubuque, but Driftless Pizza helped popularize Detroit-style in the Key City.

“The thick crust — not a lot of people have had that, and it’s been really, really positively received,” he said.

Driftless Pizza, 333 E. 10th St., is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Simmons said the flight room will open Monday, April 7, and will have different hours — 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Updates to the renovation are available at Driftless Pizza’s Facebook page, tinyurl.com/DriftlessDBQ.