Business - Pierce County Journal

The wedding venue at Forevermore Forest Weddings & Events is reminiscent of a rustic, woodsy lodge. The fireplace makes a perfect centerpiece.

Forevermore Forest Weddings & Events is a “little slice of heaven” tucked away off Highway 10 just west of Ellsworth, adjacent to the David Lodge & Inn. “People tell me … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 1/3/24

Josie Erlandson, of Beldenville, launched Frosted Haven cookies after taking a royal icing cookie class. Her creations were an immediate hit.

Frosted Haven cookies spread joy for all occasions

“When I started Frosted Haven, I sort of centered it around my daughter Marlee. A haven is more of a getaway, but I thought it meant heaven.” And that’s exactly what Frosted … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 12/28/23

The new Alcivia facility in Hager City will bring grain terminal assets to producers in west central Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.

ALCIVIA to open new facility in Hager City

HAGER CITY – ALCIVIA is excited to announce the purchase of 40 acres and over 21,000 linear feet of Class I Burlington Northern Railroad track in Hager City, where a new state-of-the-art … more

12/20/23

Jake Wagner of South Ridge Ranch Bacon at the Nov. 29 Small Business Innovation Center graduation and mixer event. Smoking meat started as a home hobby.

Makin’ the bacon: Layoff prompts local couple to chase business dream

Jake and Stacey Wagner block Wednesday nights off on their family calendar, volunteering as youth leaders at Journey Church in River Falls during the school year. Wednesdays stay blocked off for … more

By Greg Peters | 12/13/23

YB Urban?, located at 243 N. Broadway in Ellsworth’s East End Business District, was selected as a winner of the Wisconsin Main Street Makeover contest.

YB Urban? chosen for transformational makeover

ELLSWORTH – When Ellsworth Village President Becky Beissel came into YB Urban? in East Ellsworth Nov. 16, owner Angie Whelan thought she was filming a video for the Ellsworth Chamber of … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/30/23

Nick Feira of UDG informs the Prescott Planning Commission that the new Dollar Tree could potentially open in July 2024.

New Dollar Tree, daycare expansion are coming to town

At the Prescott Planning Commission monthly meeting on Nov. 6, the commission reviewed plans for two new businesses. First, the site plan for 1455 North Acres Road, located on vacant Lot 11 at North … more

By Danielle Boos | 11/22/23

Steve Hamilton, a Vietnam War veteran, was happy to receive cheese curds as a token of appreciation on Veterans Day.

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery celebrates veterans on Veterans Day

ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery was proud to celebrate Veterans Day and recognize the service of area veterans who bravely served our nation. On Saturday, all veterans who visited … more

11/16/23

Brewer Kevon Staatz (left) and manager Nathan Pelz are working to open Half Fast Brewing at S105 McKay Ave. in Spring Valley.

Veteran-owned brewery opening in Spring Valley

Even though Half Fast Brewing hasn’t officially opened its doors, it’s already made an impact on the Spring Valley community. Located at S105 McKay Ave. with a projected official … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 11/9/23

Ellsworth Village Board President Becky Beissel made Ellsworth's Small Business Season official with the reading of a proclamation at Monday's Village Board meeting. Representing the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and small business community were (from left) Kim Beebe, Ellsworth Chamber Executive Director; Janelle Lacy, owner of Wild Arrows Boutique; and Steph Rauzi, owner of Chef Steph’s; along with Becky Beissel, Village Board President.

Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce announces Small Business Season™: Support Local

ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off Small Business Season in Ellsworth on Nov. 1. The campaign, which runs through Dec. 31, supports small businesses and educates … more

11/9/23

YB Urban?, located at 243 N. Broadway St., is one of three finalists for a WEDC Main Street Makeover.

YB Urban? named finalist in WEDC Main Street Makeover contest

An East Ellsworth business is one of three downtown businesses from around the state named as a finalist in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) annual Main Street … more

Pierce County Journal newsroom | 11/2/23

On Oct. 24, Pierce County Executive Director Joe Folsom (left) and St. Croix EDC President Krista Paulus (right) presented proclamations to Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery CEO Paul Bauer (second from left) and Nate Boettcher of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Service (third from left) for National Cooperative Month.

National Cooperative Month honored in Ellsworth

In celebration of October being National Cooperative month, St. Croix Economic Development Corporation and Pierce County Economic Development Corporation recognized two Pierce County cooperatives for … more

11/2/23

Attorney General Kaul announces $250,000 judgment against Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery for alleged wastewater discharge violations

MADISON – Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Sept. 27 that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has obtained a civil judgment against Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery (ECC) requiring it to … more

9/28/23

Taste of River Falls is set for Oct. 1

RIVER FALLS – River Falls Business Leaders had such great success with the first downtown Taste of River Falls event, that they’re planning another for Oct. 1. “River … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/31/23

Scott Freier (middle), PPCS Chief Operating Officer, presented a $1,500 check to Maggie Pechacek (left) and Maya Bueso (right) of Ellsworth Elementary School. The check money will be used to help purchase supplies for the school’s fifth annual Back to School Event.

Pierce Pepin Cares awards 3RD quarter grants

ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable foundation of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), recently awarded third-quarter grants to four nonprofits. The Pierce Pepin Cares board … more

8/17/23

Bob Siewert owns and operates Jil-Ro-Sie Holsteins at W7867 County Road K, Ellsworth. He moved to Trimbelle Township in 1995 with 85 cows.

Who are Pierce County’s CAFO farmers?

The Journal has been covering the efforts of People Protecting Pierce, a group of concerned residents and family farmers who want Pierce County to pass a temporary livestock expansion moratorium to … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 8/3/23

The proposed anaerobic digester and nutrient recovery facility would be built on 25 acres owned by Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery west of County Road C in an industrial area of the village.

Sparks fly at anaerobic digester public hearing

ELLSWORTH – Dozens of community members flocked to Ellsworth’s Village Hall Thursday, July 20 as the Plan Commission held a public hearing regarding the anaerobic digester proposed for … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/27/23

Proposed anaerobic digester would be in East Ellsworth

ELLSWORTH – A Danish renewable natural gas company is proposing to build a contained anaerobic digester and nutrient recovery facility in Ellsworth near the East End Industrial Park on 25 acres … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 7/13/23

Vice President of Operations Haykel Arfaoui, owner Sahil Taneja and Taneja Companies District Manager Seham A. Wahed standing in front of the newly opened Dunkin’ Donuts in River Falls.

Dunkin’ Donuts has slam dunk opening week in River Falls

RIVER FALLS – Dunkin’ Donuts has been the east coast’s top coffee and donut chain for decades, and owner Sahil Taneja has brough the craze to Wisconsin, opening a shop in River … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/6/23

Hailee Thoner from St. Francis Elementary in Ellsworth received a $30 gift card from PPCS for second place.

PPCS announces Electrical Safety Poster Contest winners

ELLSWORTH – As part of National Electrical Safety Month, Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) teamed up in May to host an … more

6/29/23

Carissa Pfaffe, a familiar face to many in the area, has joined the ranks at Hair Traffic Control in Ellsworth’s East End. She’s offering discounts for the summer to celebrate her return to hair.

Hair Traffic Control has a new stylist

ELLSWORTH – Ever since she was a little girl, local hair stylist Carissa Pfaffe knew she wanted to help people feel better about themselves. After taking a brief break from the profession, … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/15/23