Business - Pierce County Journal

Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce members celebrated the grand opening of the Mahn Family Funeral & Cremation Services Ellsworth chapel on Wednesday, April 3.

Mahn Family Funeral & Cremation Services celebrates new chapel

ELLSWORTH – Mahn Family Funeral & Cremation Services hosted an open house and ribbon cutting with Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce members Wednesday, April 3 to celebrate the completion … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

Rush River Brewing taproom, located at 990 Antler Court in River Falls, features 16 rotating selections.

Rush River Brewing celebrates 20th anniversary

RIVER FALLS – Rush River Brewing Co. is turning 20 and will celebrate the milestone Saturday, April 20 with a party to remember. Co-founder Nick Anderson said he’s “kind of low … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/17/24

Members of the River Falls Rotary Club, including Scott Morrissette, Terry McKay and Linda Yde presented the 2024 Burger Battle award to Tarnation Tavern staff.

Tarnation Tavern wins 2024 Burger Battle!

RIVER FALLS – We're excited to announce that this year's winner of the 2024 River Falls Rotary Burger Battle is Tarnation Tavern! This was one of the tightest battles we've ever seen with … more

4/10/24

This map shows where Danish renewable energy company Bigadan had wanted to put an anaerobic digester in the Village of Ellsworth, off County Road C.

Bigadan withdraws permit application for anaerobic digester

Representatives of Bigadan, the company proposing to build an anaerobic digester in Ellsworth, have withdrawn their special use permit application. The project is no more. According to an email … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 4/3/24

Wellhaven is located at 119 Union St. in River Falls.

Wellhaven Senior Living is under new ownership

RIVER FALLS – Wellhaven Senior Living in River Falls will be under new ownership, effective April 1, 2024. The Lutheran Home Association (TLHA) has made the decision to sell Wellhaven in order … more

4/3/24

Ptacek's IGA is located at 1005 Eagle Ridge Drive, Prescott.

Ptaceks Family Market awarded IGA Five Star Honor

PRESCOTT – The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) announced that Prescott-based Ptacek’s Family Market has been awarded the IGA Five Star honor for achievement in IGA’s Assessment … more

4/3/24

Kwik Trip announces discontinuation of bagged milk

LA CROSSE – Kwik Trip has made the decision to discontinue the sale of Nature’s Touch bagged milk across all stores beginning in May 2024. While bagged milk has been a part of Kwik … more

4/3/24

Dave & Chery Dintemann celebrate 20 years of owning Johnnie's Bar in River Falls. The bar is a community gathering spot for many.

Luck O’ The Linehan: Dintemanns celebrate 20 years of owning Johnnie’s Bar

RIVER FALLS – According to American folklore, Thomas Jefferson was sitting at the Indian Queen Tavern in Philadelphia one June evening in 1776. With a pint of freshly poured ale resting in one … more

By Greg Peters | 3/20/24

The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is located at 232 N. Wallace St. in Ellsworth.

Creamery odor cause has been fixed, official says

ELLSWORTH – Driving through East Ellsworth about two weeks ago, one may have wished they’d lost their sense of smell. A membrane failure with the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 3/20/24

As a result of its writing instrument giveback program, Koozie Group was able to raise $16,541.85 for three local United Way chapters in 2023, with each chapter receiving $5,513.95 apiece. Pictured (from left): Meghan Wipperling, Koozie Group® Human Resources Recruiter; Nicolle Mechelke, Executive Director of United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties; Stephanie Kiecker, Koozie Group® Product Lifecycle Manager; and Jill Rivard, United Way Board Member.

Koozie Group raises $5,513.95 for United Way

PIERCE COUNTY – Koozie Group is pleased to announce that it raised $5,513.95 for United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties in 2023 as a result of its writing instrument giveback … more

3/20/24

Alexi Schommer followed her dream and opened Ooh Ahh Massage & Spa at 1380 North Acres Road in Prescott.

Ooh Ahh Massage & Spa owner persisted in chasing dreams

PRESCOTT — Alexi Schommer, owner of Ooh Ahh Massage and Spa, was born and raised in Prescott. "My dream was always to open something in Prescott, nowhere else, always something in … more

By Riley Dorau | 3/13/24

Crews are working to prepare the infrastructure for fiber installation in the next construction phases of SwiftCurrent Connect, the fiber-optic internet service powered by PPCS.

PPCS awarded $7.96 million for broadband expansion

ELLSWORTH – On March 7, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) awarded Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) $7.96 million to fund three projects across St. Croix, Pierce, and … more

3/13/24

For Tucky Bandaranaike, The Arbor at Young Acres is more than just a business - it's a manifestation of a lifelong dream, a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the simple joys of sharing a meal with loved ones.

A nomadic family settles down at an orchard oasis

PRESCOTT – Tucky and Rachel Bandaranaike and their Wolfegang, now 4 years old, had been living an unconventional life, traveling the county in an RV. They moved from their home in Orange … more

By Riley Dorau | 3/13/24

Brianna Crotteau, project coordinator at the Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence at UW-River Falls, hands Sam Galgowski, a cheesemaker at the dairy plant, a plastic container that Galgowski filled with cheese during production on Tuesday. The cheddar cheese produced was the first produced at the dairy plant that will serve as a production site and a training location for students and dairy industry employees.

Big cheese: Successful cheddar production means UWRF dairy plant is up and running

RIVER FALLS – With one slice, then another and another, Sam Galgowski cut a large block of cheddar cheese at the bottom of a metal vat into smaller chunks. Galgowski – … more

3/6/24

2023 Business of the Year honorees (from left) Bill Rubin (Directors Award), Ender Gocmen of Barbell Coffee (Emerging Business of the Year), Dave Brummel of Aves Studio (Small Business of the Year), Doug Audette of Ciranda (Business of the Year) and St. Croix EDC Executive Director Melissa Meschke.

St. Croix EDC honors businesses of the year

On Feb. 22, St. Croix EDC honored its 2023 Business of the Year winners at a banquet hosted by Kilkarney Hills Golf Course in River Falls. The 2023 honorees included Barbell Coffee (City of River … more

2/28/24

Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen joins Main Street Dental in River Falls

RIVER FALLS– Hudson native Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen recently joined Dr. Michael McFarland’s Main Street Family Dental in River Falls. Dr. Jorgensen is a graduate from the University of … more

2/28/24

Ellsworth Chamber President Paul Bauer presented the Large Business of the Year Award to Nilssen’s Foods and store manager Shawn Eggen, who was joined by store staff at the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet.

Chamber hits home run with ‘Game Time’ gala

The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce showed that business can be a lot like sports at its Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, Feb. 19 at Kilkarney Hills in River Falls. The “Game … more

By John McLoone | 2/28/24

Schreiner elected to WEDA Board of Directors

MADISON –The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) has elected Keri Schreiner to its Board of Directors. Schreiner currently serves as the Economic Development Manager for the City … more

2/21/24

Pictured (from left) are WBA EVP/Chief of Staff Daryll Lund, Sue Langer, First National Bank of River Falls President/CEO Jeff Johnson, and First National Bank of River Falls Board Chair Sandra Smith Wurm.

Wisconsin Bankers Association announces 50- and 60-year club inductees

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) commends eight individuals on joining its 50-Year Club and two individuals on joining its 60-Year Club. These awards recognize exceptional dedication to … more

2/21/24

The Assistance and Resource Center (ARC) accepted a grant of $1,000 for general operating expenses. Pictured (from left): Judy Perkins, Sharon Shulze, PPCS Senior Accountant Barb Bee, Cindy Testa, and Peter Carr.

Pierce Pepin Cares awards grants to local non-profits

ELLSWORTH – First quarter grants were recently awarded by Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable foundation of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), to four local non-profits. The Pierce Pepin … more

2/14/24