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The sign in front of Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa, on Thursday, May 2, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
Rusty Taco is now open under new management on Monday, April 29, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering
Rusty Taco is now open under new management on Monday, April 29, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering
Jason and Haley Edwards stand in the lobby at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The lobby at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The indoor side of the dog kennels at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The outdoor side of the dog kennels at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
Payton Edwards, 10, pets a dog named Hoss at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The exterior of Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The sign in front of Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa, on Thursday, May 2, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
Rusty Taco is now open under new management on Monday, April 29, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering
Rusty Taco is now open under new management on Monday, April 29, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Kettering
Jason and Haley Edwards stand in the lobby at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The lobby at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The indoor side of the dog kennels at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The outdoor side of the dog kennels at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
Payton Edwards, 10, pets a dog named Hoss at Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The exterior of Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
The sign in front of Mississippi Ridge Kennel near Bellevue, Iowa, on Thursday, May 2, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman
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business tips sought
Do you have an interesting story idea or news tip to share about a local business? Ideas can be shared with business reporter Grace Nieland at grace.nieland@thmedia.com or 563-588-5647.
Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from across the tri-states. This edition highlights developments in Dubuque and Bellevue, Iowa.
A national taco chain has reopened in Dubuque with a new-look menu and a promise for routine specials.
Rusty Taco, which operates 30 restaurants — Dubuque included — across 11 states, opened its location at 3333 Asbury Road for the second time.
After originally opening in September 2021 and closing in January 2023 due to “personal reasons,” the eatery opened again last week under different ownership, according to Rusty Taco Director of Marketing Andrew Hyde.
“When we opened the store (in 2021) it resonated with the Dubuque crowd and market and we knew it was a popular place,” Hyde said. “A franchise group that owns a small selection of restaurants in western Illinois saw the property and thought it would be a good place to reopen.”
The restaurant is well-known for its vast street-style taco menu, and Hyde said the Dubuque location will feature a revised menu from what was available during its last stint.
“We wanted to relaunch with new-look food for the menu, including a new item: birria brisket tacos,” Hyde said. “We also have a new taco of the month program. Now every single month we will debut a new taco to keep things fresh.”
The food menu includes breakfast tacos and the items the restaurant is perhaps most known for, including its Baja shrimp, brisket and queso.
In addition to food, items to help wet the whistle are also on the menu.
“We want to get the store open and get going with the margs (margaritas), and once we know our guests, we will look to add more marg flavors and beer options,” Hyde said.
The full menu and bar is available now for in-store ordering. In the coming weeks, Hyde said the Dubuque location will begin fulfilling online orders.
Currently, 25 employees staff the restaurant, and Hyde said Rusty Taco is still looking for “a few extra” hands to help behind the bar.
Rusty Taco is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. To learn about specials, visit the Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook page.
Medical aesthetics clinic opens in Dubuque
A new medical aesthetics clinicDubuque
Venustas Immortalis — a Latin phrase meaning “immortal beauty” — is operating in the former Mette Medical Aesthetics location at 805 Century Drive., No. 5.
The business offers a variety of self-care services, including dermal fillers, skincare services, laser hair removal, microneedling, IV hydration, sexual health counseling, medical weight loss and more.
Dubuque’s Venustas Immortalis is one of three clinics owned and operated by Teresa Lincicum, of New Glarus, Wis., and joins those already operating in Janesville, Wis., and New Glarus.
Lincicum said she was introduced to Megan Reisch, who operated Mette until it closed in November, and that set the wheels in motion for Venustas Immortalis’ expansion into Iowa.
“Through a mutual friend I was introduced to Megan. The stars aligned,” Lincicum said. Through that relationship, Venustas Immortalis moved into the space and Reisch, a nurse practitioner, now works there along with others who specialize in a wide range of areas.
While the business caters to clients of all ages, Lincicum said younger generations have spurred the industry of self-care services.
“There is a different level of awareness, of prevention and self-care, that wasn’t even present 20 years ago,” Lincicum said. “This generation is about taking time for yourself. They think differently and a better grasp on self-care.”
Venustas Immortalis is open five days a week by appointment only. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit its website at vibeauty.org.
Bellevue kennel under new management
BELLEVUE, Iowa — After living in north-central Iowa for 14 years, Haley and Jason Edwards recently moved back to the county from whence they came.
And now that their roots are planted in Jackson County yet again, they have gone all in.
Haley and Jason are the new operators of Mississippi Ridge Kennel just north of Bellevue and have been at the helm since early February. It took them a couple months to get up to speed on all the inner workings of the operation, but now they are full steam ahead with the business that offers dog and cat boarding and dog baths.
This is the family’s first full-time foray into operating a professional dog business — though growing up, Haley’s family fostered dogs and she grew up around furry friends. The family has three dogs and three cats of its own, too.
Both Haley and Jason quickly have discovered the fact that the pooches that stay at their facility all have their own personalities.
“They’re like kids,” Jason Edwards said.
And, speaking of kids, the Edwards family includes four. Brody, 14; Payton, 10; Riley, 7; and Jason Jr., 4, all have a part in the business to varying degrees. Brody helps with some of the chores around the property, and they all have perhaps one of the most important duties at the business — helping the dogs and cats staying there feel welcome and loved.
“We like to have our kids involved,” Jason said. “They take (the dogs) outside and play with them. There’s lots of interaction. Stuff like that is a personal touch, and we treat (the dogs) like family.”
While the Edwardses are still relatively new in their endeavor, they also are looking toward the future, which they want to include a new facility with a retail component selling pet treats, toys, shampoo, food and other items.
The couple stays busy and runs a commercial agriculture staffing agency. Jason also is renovating the former Hank’s Place bar in Bellevue.
The decision to move back to Jackson County and take over Mississippi Ridge Kennel — while following their other pursuits, as well — ultimately came down to one thing.
“It’s that we are able to do this as a family,” Jason said.
Mississippi Ridge Kennel is located at 31821 U.S. 52 near Bellevue. It is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays and 6 to 7 p.m. Sundays. For more information or to book a stay, visit the kennel’s Facebook page or call 563-872-3735.
