Roux Conlon Loar and her father, Tim Conlon, are putting in a lot of effort to ensure that their new business looks old.
They have spent the past three years perfecting the rehabilitation and renovation of the historic property at 620 S. Grandview Ave., commonly referred to as the Milk House, into a grocery store, cafe and deli.
That work is nearing its completion, Conlon Loar said, with much of the historic structure being restored to its original, 19th-century glory.
“We found a lot of old pictures of the building, and we’ve been using those to really make it look like it originally looked,” she said. “When people walk in, I want them to feel very warm and comfortable and like the space has looked that way forever.”
Roux & Lucia, as the business will be called once the work is completed, is owned by the father-daughter duo. The pair acquired the 19th-century building in 2021 and later purchased an adjacent property to build a full-sized bakery.
The project has grown in size and scope since the 2021 acquisition, Conlon Loar said, which contributed to a lengthier construction timeline. She and her father also have taken steps to ensure they renovate the Milk House building using materials and designs that honor its original concept.
Conlon, CEO of Conlon Construction Co., located vintage bricks to use on the facade renovation and ordered windows that mirror those seen in old photos of the building. All of the interior trim also matches the original design.
The brick building has housed many neighborhood businesses over the years, including Donahue’s Grocery Store prior to 1900 and Hilken-Sullivan Grocery Store in the early 1900s. Most recently, Milk House Artisan Eatery, Baked Goods & Catering operated there but closed in 2021.
“The building is kind of like a landmark here in Dubuque,” Conlon Loar said. “We want to keep with that history with what we have planned.”
Conlon Loar said the goal is to open the Roux & Lucia bakery for take-out orders only in late October or early November. The bakery will serve a variety of handmade pastries, breads and other items, as well as a coffee and ice cream bar.
The property’s main building is expected to open shortly after, she said, in December or January. It will include a cafe with a large seating area and a grocery store and deli filled with a mix of locally sourced and internationally imported items.
The upper level of both buildings will serve as Airbnb spaces for short-term rentals.
“We figured we’d open the bakery first since we’re closer to being done with that building,” Conlon Loar said. “We’re just excited to get our doors open and show people what we have to offer.”
Dubuque City Council members in 2022 approved a rezoning request from Conlon and Conlon Loar to allow the project to move forward. Two years later, Mayor Brad Cavanagh said he was excited to hear work on the project was nearing completion.
He commended the pair for the dedication to historic preservation, adding that a similar mindset would be welcome in other parts of Dubuque with vacant historic properties.
“What I really love about this project is how they’re taking it back to what it once was,” Cavanagh said. “It’s such a cornerstone of their neighborhood, so I’m excited to see that they’re bringing that back.”
Council Member Susan Farber lives near the cafe and said there has been growing excitement in the area as work continues. Farber recalled visiting the Milk House as a child and is excited to see the building returned to its rightful place as a community gathering place.
She said she is particularly excited for the grocery portion of the business, which Conlon Loar said will offer a variety of kitchen basics.
“It’ll be nice to have a place for people in the neighborhood to spend time together again,” Farber said. “There’s an enormous population that walks and drives over there every day, so there’s plenty of (potential visitors).”
Conlon Loar said more information on Roux & Lucia’s opening timeline will be made available online at rouxandlucia.com and on the Roux & Lucia Facebook and Instagram pages.