Blogs about Business
If you would like to add a blog or comment dealing with business, please send emails to snoble@veda-wi.org
Co-op Annual Meeting
December 10, 2009
The Heartland Country Co-op will hold its annual meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Westby VFW on Main Street. A financial report will be presented. Board members will be elected and other business conducted.
Attend Two Free Seminars to help Grow Your Business
Two Free Seminars will be offered at Western Technical College in Viroqua to help any business or entrepreneur in Vernon County interested in growing their business.
On Thursday October 1st at 6:00-8:30 p.m. the topic will be “Building New Business Opportunities: Indentifying New Markets.” Learn how to:
- Evaluate the feasibility of business ideas
- Work through the process of creating a product or service that is unique and different
- Select the right sales channels such as local, regional, international, government, etc.
- Select the right promotional channels such as direct mail, trade show, Google AdWords
On Thursday October 8st at 6:00-8:30 p.m. the topic will be “Web Basics: Increase Your Sales Online.” Learn how to:
- Quickly create an inexpensive Web site or begin selling on eBay
- Use some free online tools for collecting market and customer research
- Develop an attractive e-newsletter for very little cost
- Boost your search engine rankings using free tools
Free Pizza, chips and refreshments will be provided. Please register in advance so enough food can be ordered by calling the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center at 608.785.8783. Or contact Sue Noble at 637.5396 if you have questions.
The seminars are sponsored by the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center, Vernon Economic Development Association and Viroqua Chamber Main Street.
There is no charge to attend. Everyone is welcome!
Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts 34th anniversary sale
October 3, 2009
Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts in Westby will hold its 34th anniversary sale Saturday, Oct. 3rd. Prices will be reduced 15% storewide. Free gifts will be given to the first 100 guests. Door prizes also will be given away. Life music, artisans and authors, food and refreshments will be available. Norwegian baking demonstrations will be given. For more information, go to www.dregnesscandinaviangifts.com.
Vernon Electric Co-op Open House
September 15, 2009
Vernon Electric Cooperative has been operating out of its new building on Highway 27, north of Westby for several weeks, but will hold an open house for the facility on Oct. 8. Members of the public and coop members are invited to tour the building from 3-7 p.m. on that day. You can take self-guided tours. A ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication will be held. Refreshments, light food and prizes will be offered. Find out more at www.vernonelectric.org.
Rhubarb – A New Store in Viroqua
August 7, 2009
By Kile Martz, Owner/Manager
It's hard to mistake with its huge slightly fuzzy looking leaves and sturdy, sour stems. Because Rhubarb is unique, we decided to name our new store after it. Last week we threw open the doors on our newest retail space that features food, gifts, and artisan works from the Driftless Region. Our new place is right next to our other store, Driftless Fair Traders, in the Hotel Fortney, at 100 North Main Street in Viroqua. It wasn't easy to round up all the great products we currently have, but there are more, and we're working to offer all the best of our region.
Since Driftless Fair Traders has a global focus, we started thinking about what we could do to promote the local economy. Our area is rich in agricultural and artistic heritage, so we decided to bring it all together in a celebration of our area. Kickapoo Coffee is just one of our great products. They were awarded a high rating in Consumer Reports last year among Fair Trade coffees. Their roastery is just down the road from our store. We have cans of their robust and fragrant whole beans.
Sweet Prairie Farm honey products is another local line we are completely excited about. They're located in the little town of Coon Valley just a half an hour from here. Their honey creams and body care products have us all buzzing. Leslie from SpinDrift Weavers just brought in a basket of her handspun yarn from her sheep herd. We chatted about a customer that bought one of her handmade scarves this last weekend. There are so many wonderful stories behind all of our local finds. If you stop by, you can also pick up LuSa Organics soaps and body care items, Papa Pat's Farmhouse Recipe jams, soups, and pancake mixes, Martha's Hot Mustard, and Potter's Crackers.
Rhubarb merchandize isn't available online yet, but one day soon, you'll be able to order a little taste of the Driftless Region no matter where you are!
Side-by-side environmental businesses
June 6, 2009
By Gregg Hoffmann
Two businesses that sit side-by-side on Elk Run Road between Highways 56 and 82 are geared to help people keep their property environmentally friendly.
Martin’s Habitat Management offers services ranging from snowplowing and lawn care to habitat for wildlife and other management. It’s a relatively new business and can be reached via 608-627-1305.
It sits next to Red Buffalo, the prairie restoration business that has been in business for several years and has earned a national reputation. Red Buffalo offers consulting services to those wanting to restore natural prairies and also can supply seeds. Contact info is 608-627-1376 and www.prairienurse@hotmail.com
Coon Valley new businesses featured
May 26, 2009
By Gregg Hoffmann
Two relatively-new businesses in Coon Valley are featured in the summer issue of Coulee Parenting Magazine.
The Rustic Valley Family Center (RVFS) and Dent, Bend & Beyond are briefly profiled in a section of businesses that serve families. The RVFS offers PG-rated movies, ice cream, food and games at 701 Central Ave. A fitness area also is available.
Hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Call 609-452-3001 for more information.
Dent, Bent & Beyond opened late last year at 219 Central Ave. and offers discount groceries, children’s clothing and collectibles. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to DentBent.com or call 608-452-3333.
May 11, 2009
Longtime Coon Valley businesses have summer plans
Two longtime Coon Valley area businesses have some plans for the summer.
Rogers Cottages, owned by Bill and Nancy Rodgers, is in the process of developing a “green” cottage which will be powered by hydroelectric and solar energy. The cottage will be added to the array of rentals Rogers now offers.
DiSciacsio’s, the wonderful Italian restaurant owned by Lou and Marty DiSciascio, will add a night of business during the summer. That means one more night of eating the great lasagna, eggplant parmesan and other delicious entrees on the menu. Watch for other announcements about music and other summer features at the restaurant.
Both businesses have their own web sites. Rogers Cottages can be found at www.rogerscottage.com. DiSciascio’s is at www.disciascioscoonvalley.com.
Springtime Biz
By Gregg Hoffmann
Business activities pick up in Vernon County as spring arrives. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) movement starts signing people up.
For example, Driftless Organics is offering 19 weeks of organic veggies with delivery sited in Viroqua and Star Valley. Sign up at www.driftlessorganics.com. New Era Farm is accepting CSA members. Find out more at www.newerafarmonline.com.
There are several other farms offering CSA packages. The Viroqua Public Market carries some of the products of these farms, and of course the outdoor market in the Western Tech parking lot -- one of the great weekly events in Vernon County -- will start soon.
Businesses that sell things you can grow start getting busy. Read’s Creek Nursery is “thinking spring.” A variety of fruit trees, ornamentals, seedlings and other growing things is available at the facility near Readstown. The Flower Basket in Viroqua also is offering perennials, and will offer annuals once it is safe to plant them.
You also can get out and hit the bike trails in the area. Vernon County Trails, a non-profit organization committed to developing and maintaining sustainable roadways and trails, is holding a Viroqua Community Bike Ride on May 2 and a Syttende Main Ride on May 16. Bluedog Cycles is a business in Viroqua that continues to promote biking in the area.
Turning to bikes that are motorized, motorcycle enthusiasts got good news when S&S Cycle announced it will produce some of the products from Crane Cams Inc., which closed in February, at its Viola plant. The products include ignition systems, distributors, valves and others.
Gregg Hoffmann of Westby is a veteran journalist and publisher of www.midwestdiamondreport.com. www.oldschoolcollectibles.comand Driftless.
Ole & Lena Celebrate First Anniversary
by Gegg Hoffmann
Ole: Hey, Lena, do you know we’ve been open a whole year already there.
Lena: Ya, Ole, let’s celebrate by hanging a big banner and having some real good deals for our customers.
Mike and Marie Cimino are not really Ole and Lena of legendary Norwegian fame, but they are owners of Ole and Lena’s Kafe Hus in downtown Westby and did do the above things to celebrate the place’s one year anniversary last weekend.
You can get great coffee, ice cream, candy and sandwiches in Ole and Lena‘s. The Ciminos have owned the Westby House B&B for years, and have started their lunch schedule at that place right up the street from Ole and Lena’s.
Those two facilities, plus the re-opening of Borgen’s Restaurant, last year have given people some great options for eateries and added life to downtown Westby.
Send any blogs, announcements or business items to gregghof@aol.com for consideration of posting in this section.