Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from around the tri-state area. This week, we highlight developments in Galena, Ill., Dubuque and Elkader, Iowa.
GALENA, Ill. — Over the past four-plus years, Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. has crafted a variety of products and attracted a loyal following.
However, co-owner Matt Blaum said the Galena distillery finally is ready to roll out its signature product.
“The reason we opened the distillery was pretty much to distill bourbon,” he said. “This is the reason we started this whole thing. It took a lot of patience and now it is almost time.”
Blaum Bros. will unveil its bourbon product, dubbed Blaum Bros. Bourbon, during a special event at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26. Matt Blaum said he expects the bourbon will serve as the distillery’s “flagship product” going forward.
In addition to the special event, bourbon will be available for purchase during the distillery’s regular hours, which are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Matt and his brother, Mike Blaum, opened Blaum Bros. in December 2013. They since have released a variety of products distilled on site, including gin and vodka.
Completing the bourbon was a time-intensive process, however.
“We have been distilling the bourbon since before we even opened the doors,” Matt said. “It just takes a long time in the barrel. We wanted to do it right and not take any shortcuts.”
Matt noted that Blaum Bros. previously sold a bourbon brand in its location, but this product was not distilled on site. This time around, the bourbon will be the real deal.
“This is truly our own bourbon with all local grains,” he said.
Blaum Bros. is located at 9380 U.S. 20 in Galena and can be reached at 815-777-1000.
CASINO REVAMPS BAR
Diamond Jo Casino is in the midst of giving its sports bar a $350,000 facelift.
Casino officials closed Mojo’s Sports Bar in mid-April and have been working on a major renovation to the establishment, which sits on the upper level of the casino near Cherry Lanes Bowling Alley.
Marty Maiers, the casino’s director of marketing, said the bar will be recast as The Game Sports Bar. The concept previously has been implemented at other properties owned by Boyd Gaming, the parent company of Diamond Jo.
“We feel that is a name that better reflects what we are offering here, with an emphasis on watching a lot of sports and having great food,” Maiers said.
The most significant changes at the restaurant will revolve around that sports-viewing experience. Maiers said customers can expect more televisions, better screens and upgraded audio.
Maiers said there also will be some tweaks to the menu.
“We’ll be offering a lot of the same staples, with things like burgers, pizza, wings and sandwiches, but we’ll be offering a new twist on them,” he said.
The Game Sports Bar is slated to open its doors in early June, Maiers said.
It will employ 15 to 20 people, with staffers from Mojo’s returning to staff the new incarnation of the bar and restaurant.
ELKADER RESTAURANT CHANGES HANDS
A popular Elkader, Iowa, pizza restaurant has a new owner.
Elkader resident Bryton Rentschler purchased the restaurant formerly known as J-N-J Pizza last week. He plans to reopen the eatery soon under the name Elkader Pizzeria.
Rentschler said he used to manage the restaurant under its previous owner, Josh Pope. Now he is eager to make his own mark on the business.
“I love the community and all the support we get from customers, and I love making pizzas,” he said. “I’m excited for this opportunity.”
Rentschler said the pizzeria will be closed for a few weeks, during which he will be doing some remodeling in the building. While he has not set a specific date, he expects the restaurant will reopen in mid-May.
He said customers will notice some subtle differences when they return.
“For now, I am just trying to clean things up and spruce things up a bit, do some work in the back of house and put up some new signage,” he said. “Down the road, I am hoping to put in some new flooring, give it a little more modern and up-to-date look.”
Rentschler also plans to extend the hours. He said Elkader Pizzeria will be open for lunch Tuesday through Friday, noting that the eatery only offered Friday lunches under the previous owner.
Lunch will be served on those four days from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is served from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The business can be reached at 563-245-2800.
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