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

A new yoga studio is coming to Dubuque with a focus on bolstering visitors’ “mind-body connection.”

The Well will open Oct. 14 at 3430 Dodge St., Suite No. 2, in the lower level of EVolve Day Spa. The wellness center and studio will host a mix of individual and group classes around yoga, stretching and meditation.

“The intention with The Well is to have a place where you can come to connect with your body through stretching and intentional movement to let go of the things you don’t need and reconnect with the things you do,” said owner Kellie Cook.

Cook has been teaching yoga for eight years and worked most recently at B-1 Yoga in Dubuque. She was inspired to open her own studio to create a space dedicated to helping people heal from past traumas.

All of her classes are beginner friendly, she explained, and focus on easing physical and mental symptoms of anxiety, depression and/or trauma by bringing increased awareness to the body.

Cook said she’s seen the power of such practices firsthand from how prayer, yoga and meditation have helped her through recent personal struggles. With The Well, she hopes to share those benefits with others in a low-stress, welcoming space.

“When you start to get overwhelmed or anxious, you’ll feel that in the body,” Cook explained. “But if you can learn to turn off those thoughts and just focus on your breath and body … it can really help you to deal with those feelings.”

The Well will offer classes Monday through Saturday that will range from slower yin-style yoga to more active yang-style practices, Cook explained, in addition to meditation classes and basic stretching courses.

She also will offer on-demand online classes for people to watch and follow at home when they are unable to visit the studio in person, and free consultations are available for first-time visitors to identify what classes work best for them.

“I really think this has been God’s plan for me for a while and that I’ve just been awakened to it,” Cook said. “I’m very excited to offer people a safe space that works for them.”

Additional information about The Well, its offerings and booking information can be found online at thewellyogadbq.com. Those who sign up before Oct. 14 are eligible for a “founders package” that includes a reduced first-month cost.

Medical spa opens in Dyersville

A Peosta, Iowa-based medical practice has opened up a new medical spa in Dyersville.

SkinRx by Burds Family Practice in September launched its Dyersville office at 251 First Ave. E. The office offers a variety of medical aesthetic procedures such as Botox injections, lip fillers and teeth whitening.

“We’re basically here for procedures that address patient concerns such as acne, aging, wrinkles and that kind of thing, but since we are a medical facility we are able to offer medical-grade devices and products,” said owner Jennifer Burds, a nurse practitioner.

Burds Family Practice opened in Peosta last year to offer primary care services and shortly thereafter expanded into medical aesthetics. Demand quickly outgrew the Peosta office’s availability, prompting Burds to look for a second location.

She eventually selected Dyersville because of its cultural similarity to Peosta and relative distance from similar service providers.

The office already is outfitted for injections, fillers and teeth whitening, although Burds said services will expand in the coming months to match the Peosta offerings as staff get settled and new equipment is purchased.

“Currently we’re one of the only ones offering these services in this side of the county,” Burds said. “We had clients traveling some pretty big distances for something we could do pretty easily closer to home, so we’re excited about that access.”

The SkinRx Dyersville office currently is open 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Thursdays, and other days by appointment. For additional information on services and booking details, visit burdsskinrx.com or call 563-588-6659.

Platteville baker opens storefront

A Platteville baker is hoping she’s found a sweet spot with the recent launch of a brick-and-mortar storefront.

Owner Angie Freed recently opened a physical store for her baking business, Cake and Eat It Too, at 30 S. Bonson St. in downtown Platteville. The shop offers a variety of handmade cakes, cookies and other sweets as well as custom orders.

“I like making things that make people happy,” Freed said. “(Baking) lets me do that in a way that’s fun … and lets me be creative.”

Freed started Cake and Eat It Too in 2016 as a home-based business, although her baking skills date back to the grocery store bakery she worked at during high school. What began as a part-time gig later became a full-time job as the custom cake business grew.

She said she first considered finding a brick-and-mortar location roughly five years ago, although those plans were put on pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, she decided to try again.

“My dream in the beginning was always to have my own shop, and I felt like I’d built myself up enough that it was the next logical step,” Freed explained.

She chose the Bonson Street spot because of its size and location. The extra space has allowed her to venture into making new sweets such as cinnamon rolls and cookie cakes.

The store also has opened the business up to walk-in customers, Freed said, whereas before she was only taking custom orders and pickups. She still takes custom orders, although on a more limited basis.

Freed said she’s enjoyed the face-to-face interactions she’s had in the new store, adding that it’s also helped bolster business by tapping into college students visiting the downtown area and other curious passersby.

“It’s been nice to be able to meet new people and just talk to them for a few minutes,” she said. “I didn’t really get that (when I worked from home.)”

Cake and Eat It Too is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, although Freed is considering expanding those hours to include some weekend and evening hours.

Updates and more information can be found online at facebook.com/cakeandeatitoo.