Business - Pierce County Journal

Ellsworth Chamber Vice President Trent Nyhus presents The Thirsty Badger crew with the Best Restaurant, Bar & Tavern Award at last year’s Awards Banquet. 2024’s poster design theme was Ellsworth All Stars, which was a play on the teamwork, discipline, and resilience it takes to be successful in business. Accepting the award from Thirsty Badger is Reegan Spriggle, Bridget Armbruster, Dennis Armbruster, and Tom Holdorf.

Voting now open for Ellsworth’s 2025 Best of Awards: Celebrate Our High Rollers

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to kick off the 2025 Best of Awards competition. This annual event celebrates the businesses and organizations that make Ellsworth … more

1/22/25

The Skin Sanctuary space inside of Reflections Salon in River Falls.

The Skin Sanctuary in RF hosts variety of aesthetic services

RIVER FALLS — Lifelong River Falls resident Shelby Matzek was always interested in aesthetics, and when the window opened to start a med spa business for aesthetic treatments, she knew she … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/15/25

Kevin Pieh, the new CEO of the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery.

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery appoints Kevin Pieh as CEO

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, a cooperative of 180 dairy farmer families that produces award-winning cheese in Wisconsin, announced the appointment of Kevin Pieh to chief … more

1/8/25

A look at the site of the incoming Hager City rail loading grain terminal set to be completed in 2025.

ALCIVIA bringing rail loading grain terminal to Hager City in 2025

HAGER CITY — ALCIVIA, an agriculture and energy company located in Cottage Grove, Wis., has continued to spread in Pierce County, constructing a rail loading grain terminal in Hager City. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/8/25

Xcel Energy’s map of the proposed project location for 5,000 acres of solar panels.

Xcel Energy’s solar farm proposal faces backlash in the form of a petition signed by 3,800

An Xcel Energy multi-phase 650-megawatt solar photovoltaic project that would power over 140,000 homes is facing a lot of backlash as a petition against it has reached 3,800 signatures. The Ten Mile … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/2/25

A look at the interior of Nettie’s Volta from back in February.

Nettie’s Volta carries on family name through food

PLUM CITY — Dave Kerr, now the chef at Nettie’s Volta, has had a long journey with lots of steps along the way, circling all the way back to where it all started. His Sicilian … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/2/25

Lily Thai Restaurant opened early in December, bringing authentic Thai food to River Falls.

Lily Thai Restaurant brings new option to RF food scene

RIVER FALLS — Lily Thai Restaurant, a restaurant serving authentic Thai food, opened its doors in River Falls in early December, looking to diversify the food options in the city. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 1/2/25

Jenna Lawrence (above) is currently attending Odessa College in Odessa, Tex., and competing in rodeo. She will begin the Q&A session at 5:30 p.m.

RF Athletic Club ‘Share Night’ is Dec. 18

The River Falls Athletic Booster Club will be hosting their "Share Night" this Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Tarnation Tavern in River Falls from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tarnation Tavern will be reimbursing the … more

By Greg Peters | 12/18/24

Colleen Gehring and Fred Barr, owners of Tarnation Tavern in River Falls, recently bought Paddy's Pub and are changing it back to "Streeters," as it was known for almost 30 years.

Barr bought another bar: Streeters opens in River Falls

RIVER FALLS – Lifelong River Falls resident Mike Kealy strutted into the old "Mainstreeter" building in River Falls a couple weeks ago. It smelled like fresh new paint as the color "Expressive … more

By Greg Peters | 12/11/24

Dave Schmelter and his wife Jill in front of The Goldsmith in River Falls as they prepare to close their doors.

The Fixer of the Unfixable: The Goldsmith to close its doors after owner’s retirement

RIVER FALLS -- After 17 years running a store in River Falls and several more years running them elsewhere, Dave Schmelter has decided it is time to close shop and retire from The Goldsmith. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/27/24

Shoot 360 in Woodbury uses the same technology as many NBA teams to provide instant feedback.

Prescott brothers open basketball training location with pro-level technology

Brothers Brock and Trevor Steger of Prescott have always had a love for the game of basketball, so when the opportunity came to run a business dedicated to it, they knew they could not pass up the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/20/24

Charity Lubich, PPCS vice president of member relations and human services (left), and Barb Bee (center), PPCS senior accountant, presented Ellsworth Fire Department’s Kellen Langer (right) with a $1,000 check to purchase a battery-powered cut-off saw.

PPCS members boost local food shelves and community programs

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) members have once again demonstrated their commitment to the community by supporting local food shelves and other vital programs … more

11/13/24

Blue Sky Self Storage, located at 1563 US Highway 63, will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers and towing equipment.

U-Haul Services now available at Blue Sky Self Storage

HAGER CITY — U-Haul Co. of Wisconsin, Inc. is pleased to announce that Blue Sky Self Storage signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Hager City community. Blue Sky … more

11/6/24

CJ Pedersen of Country Fit in Ellsworth leads fitness classes for all abilities. She and Angie Whelan want everyone to have access to class options, regardless of income level.

Fitness for all income levels, abilities: Ellsworth women want everyone to feel welcome

Getting fit doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, thanks to two small business owners in Ellsworth. Angie Whelan of YB Urban? and CJ Pedersen of Country Fit Nutrition have made it their … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/30/24

Business owners Kayleen Jakes, Megan Gooselaw (not pictured), CJ Pedersen and Angie Whelan are raising money in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month for gas cards for those who must travel for treatment.

Local businesses raise funds to help cancer patients with fuel costs

ELLSWORTH – Four local business owners are raising awareness about breast cancer, a cause close to these women’s hearts. Brush Strokes Art Supply/East End Gifts, Country Fit … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/16/24

PPCS staff welcomed Governor Tony Evers to the Trenton Solar at Truttmann Field solar array on Monday, Sept. 23, as part of National Clean Energy Week activities.

PPCS celebrates Clean EnergyWeek with visit from Gov. Evers

As part of National Clean Energy Week, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers stopped in Hager City on Monday, Sept. 23, to visit Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services' (PPCS) new solar array, Trenton Solar at … more

10/2/24

Speedway closes in Ellsworth, Holiday rebrands to Circle K

Speedway in Ellsworth was officially boarded up on Monday, Sept. 30. Crews onsite were boarding the windows and removing items from the store. Travelers through Ellsworth might notice … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 10/2/24

Paul Bauer, former CEO of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

Bauer let go from Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery Board of Directors announced that as of Sept. 3, 2024, CEO Paul Bauer is no longer employed with the company. The board declined to give a reason … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/11/24

Lauren Highfill has been named the new Pierce County Economic Development Corporation director, succeeding Joe Folsom who is retiring.

PCEDC welcomes new executive Director

ELLSWORTH – The Pierce County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) welcomes Lauren Highfill as its new Executive Director. Highfill comes to the EDC from the city of West Concord, Minn. … more

9/4/24

Sarena McCarthy performs a nail trim on Maui. McCarthy is the proud owner of Sarena’s At Home Pet-A-Cures, a mobile pet care business.

Mobile pet care business brings pet-a-cures to homes

PRESCOTT – If you’re a pet owner, this might be a familiar scenario to you: It’s time for your pet to have a nail trim and they hate it. They shake, they try to hide or they become … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 9/4/24