Biz Buzz: Vintage store coming to Platteville; Grand River Center sensory-friendly certified; spa makes Dyersville debut

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Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. This edition highlights developments in Platteville, Wis.; Dubuque; and Dyersville, Iowa.

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — A new store full of old items is coming to Platteville.

Moonage Daydream held a soft opening this past weekend at 76 E. Main St. ahead of its grand opening later this fall. The store, named after David Bowie’s 1972 art rock hit, offers a variety of vintage clothing dating back to the 1940s.

“Seeing the excitement that people get when they find something that was old but still moves them and that they love, it’s infectious,” said owner Lorraine Reynolds. “I’m really excited to share that with the Platteville community.”

Reynolds’ interest in vintage clothing began in her teens and was bolstered by years spent working as a costume and apparel designer. Whether it was a stage costume or an everyday outfit, she said she could rely on vintage items to round out the look.

Over the years, she accumulated quite the collection that includes items for both men and women. Now, she’s ready to share it with others.

“It’s a very curated collection dating back to the 1940s up to Y2K,” she said. “The quality of the garments made 10, 20, 30 or more years ago, it’s just so much better than the stuff that’s getting turned out today by mass retailers.”

Reynolds chose to open Moonage Daydream in Platteville because of the sizable college community — and potential customers — at University of Wisconsin-Platteville. While shoppers of any age can enjoy vintage clothing, she said it’s particularly popular with younger generations.

She expressed optimism that the store can offer area shoppers a blast from the past in a world “where everything moves so fast.” Vintage clothing also is a more sustainable clothing option, she added, since it doesn’t require new materials.

The store’s merchandise will rotate regularly, Reynolds said, to ensure there’s always something new to discover.

“Right now we have a lot of outerwear and sweaters for fall, but as we transition into spring, you’ll see a lot of fun patterns and other items,” she said. “I want the racks to change with the different seasons.”

Hours for Moonage Daydream will be finalized after the soft opening period, Reynolds said, but will likely focus on weekend and evening hours. Additional details on the store and a to-be-announced opening date will be posted on the Moonage Daydream LLC Facebook page.

Dubuque venue receives sensory-friendly certification

A local event venue has been recognized for its efforts to offer sensory-inclusive experiences.

The city of Dubuque’s Grand River Center recently received a KultureCity sensory-inclusive certification and joins thousands of similarly certified venues nationwide. The certification comes from the namesake nonprofit KultureCity, which trains local staff and assists with sensory-friendly modifications.

“It’s important for us as a public-facing venue to ensure that everyone who comes into the Grand River Center has the ability to enjoy their time there, and this (certification) is one of the ways we make that happen,” said Grand River Center General Manager Ryan Bonifas.

Sensory issues occur when someone has trouble processing information from their senses. This can lead to over- or under-sensitivity to certain sights, sounds, textures or other sensory experiences.

To understand such concerns, Grand River Center staff members were trained on how to recognize and meet the needs of individuals with sensory-processing concerns. Employees completed a test at the end of the training to ensure they understood the material, and lessons will continue on a quarterly basis.

Additionally, the venue now is equipped with KultureCity-branded sensory-friendly bags that include noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, sunglasses and communication cards available to guests upon request.

“Whether you’re 5 years old or 50, these tools are here for anyone with sensory concerns,” Bonifas said. “The goal is to set that person up to where they’re in a place to succeed.”

More information about Grand River Center’s KultureCity program and certification can be found online at venue.kulturecity.org/venues/grand-river-center.

Spa makes Dyersville debut

A new spa has opened in Dyersville with a focus on relaxation and customized care.

3rd Street Spa opened last week at 117 Third St. SE, Suite 100, under the management of longtime aesthetician Kaylee Webb. The spa offers a variety of skin care treatments and beauty services such as makeup application and teeth whitening.

“People these days are all ‘go, go, go,’ and sometimes what we really need is to stop and take a breath,” Webb said. “I feel like this gives people that opportunity to have that zen moment and recover from the craziness of life.”

Webb also runs New Beginnings Salon & Spa in Dubuque, which also offers skin care and beauty services. She decided to launch a second spa after moving to Dyersville last year and getting to know the area.

The Dubuque and Dyersville spas in many ways overlap in terms of their offerings, Webb said, though medical-grade services such as laser hair removal are reserved for the Dubuque location.

“The Dyersville location is really just focusing on calming, customized care,” Webb said. “It’s meant to be a place to be at peace and relax.”

The Dyersville spa will be open throughout the week by appointment, Webb said. Skin-specific services include facials, dermaplaning and hydrodermabrasion, while beauty services include body waxing, teeth whitening, eyelash lifts, tints and more.

Webb said she is excited to expand the accessibility of such services for those in the Dyersville area, adding that rural residents often have to drive long distances to seek skin and beauty services compared to those in larger cities.

Webb said the spa will have an educational element where customers can ask questions about their skin and available services.

“I think skin care can be a very overwhelming topic for a lot of people, and there’s not a lot of guidance out there,” she said. “That’s what’s kept me going in the industry, feeling like I can help those people get to a place where they’re happy in their skin.”

3rd Street Spa services are offered by appointment only. To browse a complete list of services and find booking information, visit thirdstreetspa.com, call 563-495-0038 or visit the 3rd Street Spa Facebook page.