Shop Talk 2018

PRESENTS

Volume One’s “Shop Talk” focuses on some of the Chippewa Valley’s most engaging local businesses – those that have made a name for themselves serving our region for years, and even decades. These venues are owned and operated by locals, to serve locals, and these are their stories.

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BEEP BEEP. Markquart Motors has been a family-driven business for nearly 50 years, and Charlee Markquart attributes that longevity to its homegrown roots.

with us,” Charlee said. Every step of finding and buying the perfect ride is as easy as possible. Shoppers can complete the entire purchasing process online using Markquart’s simple online system – from asking questions to checking out 360 degree views of the exterior and interior of the vehicle – or stop by the dealership to chat with the same salesperson they worked with on the web. Markquart doesn’t use a commission structure; salespeople are paid the same whether they sell an expensive vehicle or an affordable one, meaning they have the flexibility to work with customers to find the best fit for them.

Markquart marched with the Mustangs in the high school homecoming parade for the first time this year, tossing candy from a few maroon cars decorated with gold streamers and dancing along to the marching band.

“We’ll take time to form real relationships with organizations here,” Charlee said. That means developing friendships with the high school, with UW-Stout, and with service organizations. Markquart historically does work with the Boys and Girls Club and with United Way, and is getting familiar with Menomonie groups to determine

DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY Markquart moves into Menomonie to offer friendly sales and services

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hree generations have built business, grew up loving the artistic a strong association between and musical culture of the area, the Markquart name and and the sense of coneasy, personnectedness that holds able car sales in the Eau Claire, Chippewa Chippewa Valley over Falls, Hallie, and the past 50 years. Lee Menomonie together.

Markquart came to Markquart opened There’s not a lot Eau Claire in 1970 a new location in of shenanigans to open a dealership Menomonie in May, – it’s where he put with us. with Charlee as part down strong roots owner. With them and raised his chilthey’ve brought a dren as he expanded seasoned staff, a vast – CHARLEE MARKQUART, services out into inventory of Jeep, MARKQUART OF MENOMONIE Hallie. His family folChrysler, Dodge, RAM, lowed in his footsteps and Fiat cars, and a both in the car sales sincere dedication to business and in their dedication making the car buying process as to the community. Charlee, part simple as possible. of the fourth generation in the car “There’s not a lot of shenanigans

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(715) 235-9663 MARKQUARTMENOMONIE.COM @MARKQUARTOFMENOMONIE @MARKQUARTMENOMONIE

where support is needed.

Charlee recalls his grandfather’s old television advertisements, which ran in the ‘90s and didn’t feature a single vehicle. Lee Markquart sat in his office, meeting viewers’ gaze through the camera, and told locals why they should do business with him: he said they were honest, caring, and here to help. Charlee was teased mercilessly in elementary school for his connection with the man on TV, but in time he grew to understand the sentiment behind the ads.

“This is the Midwest,” he said.

“This is just regular folks trying to be kind to each other and get through life.” He believes his grandfather tapped into that, and that Markquart of Menomonie lives those values to this day.

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A SHOP THE SPARKLES Nicole Lasker strives to create special moments while enriching her hometown

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ax Lasker was a 3705 OAKWOOD MALL DR, EAU CLAIRE Jewish immigrant from Poland who (715) 835-5914 came to the United States through Ellis Island LASKERS.COM and somehow made his way to Wisconsin. In 1928, he founded @LASKERJEWELERS what would become Eau Claire’s Lasker Jewelers. In the 1960s, Max passed the business on to his @LASKERJEWELERS son, Charles, who expanded to a second location in Rochester, MN in 1970. At various points Nicole explains, “As a third genover the decades, the Laskers had eration business in this commushops inside London Square Mall, nity we know the importance of Oakwood Mall, and even a shop being involved. We are commiton Barstow Street in downtown ted to donating a percentage of Eau Claire. Walking into their curour profits back to the commurent, freshly remodeled location at nity every year.“ 3705 Oakwood Mall An ever-growing Dr., it’s amazing to trend Nicole has see what 90 years of seen in her customhard work and dediers is the importance cation to one’s cusof shopping local.

Jewelry is more tomers – and their She says, though community – can than sparkle Lasker is a larger achieve. and style. It’s a local business, the Sisters Nicole impact of shopping memory you can with them is felt Lasker and Liz Lasker Falkner immediately in their carry with you (granddaughters support of initiatives every day. to Max) worked in like the Pablo Center those jewelry shops at the Confluence. throughout high Nicole’s most recent – NICOLE LASKER, school. Now they cospecial project LASKER JEWELERS own the company, involves supporting with Nicole serving the families of the as president. Nicole Girl Scouts who recently lost their attended University in the Twin lives in Chippewa Falls.

Cities and worked in the MinHowever, their commitment neapolis market for a number of to community does’t end in the years before returning to Eau Chippewa Valley. Nicole says, “We Claire. She says, “I had to earn source our diamonds from commy experience and education panies like Forevermark, who are before working for my father.” De- committed to giving back to the scribing her father as an “incredcommunities they mine diamonds ible old school business man,” in. We think it’s important that Nicole says she was able to tackle diamonds, symbolic of love, do no the new technology and marketharm in their creation.” ing that’s kept them relevant into But really, according to Nicole, 21st century. the heart of their business is Specializing in both fine and sharing special moments with fashion jewelry, Nicole says they their customers. “Our customers endeavor to meet the needs of become family,” she explains, “ofthe entire community. They sell ten starting with the engagement everything from engagement rings ring and moving on through life ... under $500 to one-of-a-kind diaanniversaries, babies, retirement mond pieces over $50,000. and starting again with the next Her family has always felt generation.” strongly about giving back to this “Jewelry is more than sparkle community, and they proudly and style,” she says. “It is a sponsor of a number of Eau memory you can carry with you Claire’s non-profit organizations. every day.”

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SPARKLING MEMORIES. Sisters Liz and Nicole Lasker head up Lasker Jewelers, selling some of the finest jewelry in the Valley, and giving back to the community.

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SOMETHING FOR ALL SEASONS Green Oasis Gardens and Gift Boutique is paradise year-round

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visit to Green Oasis Gardens and Gift Boutique might start with picking up some gardening supplies – a bit of soil, some fertilizer, a trowel – but while customers wander the boutique, coffee in hand, it might evolve into something more. This friendly shop is stocked up with year-round supplies for savvy gardeners, but also offers a wide selection of forward-thinking fashions for women, cute home decor, gifts, seasonal trinkets, and other goodies to discover.

Owners Wayne and Julie Bollinger opened Green Oasis in 2010. The main office of their landscaping business, Greener Grass Systems, burned down in Chippewa Falls in 2009, and they worked the store into their plans for a bigger, better location. Originally, the site sold only gardening supplies, but with the help of “Garden Goddess” Patty Marten, it grew into a fun boutique offering a range of goods and services.

Julie and Patty, who got her title for her benevolent rule over the store and her gardening prowess, first expanded into women’s clothing with the addition of six dresses to the store’s inventory in 2012.

Patty remembers wearing one of the frocks on the first day they were in stock, and watching them fly out of the store, selling out in one day. She expanded the offerings from there.

Now, shoppers can find a large selection of loose-leaf tea, a forest of clothing racks stocked with the latest styles, pot decorations,

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and more at Oasis, and shop the selection while sipping on a cup of house-brewed coffee.

Green Oasis offers a number of classes, including how to make porch pots among other projects.

“The nice part is the mess stays here, and they take it home and they’re done,” Patty said. But for those who are more (or equally) about shopping as they are about designing potted flower arrangements, the boutique also hosts a number of social events. Ladies Day on Nov. 17 will feature vendors selling all sorts of crafted goodies – and the booth fees will support St. Francis Food Pantry – and the store is gearing up to host a “Shop Small” event Nov. 24.

There’s a reason to stop in no matter what time of year it is.

Of course, Patty still lives up to her garden goddess title. She is always excited to answer questions – especially the obscure ones – about growing beautiful, productive plants.

“That’s what we’re here for,” Patty said “We’re here to teach them and help them so that they succeed.”

LEAN, GREEN, GARDENING MACHINE. Green Oasis Gardens and Gift offers classes, workshops, and social events. Not to mention oodles of great greenery. “Garden Goddess” Patty Marten says gardeners of all experience levels to make their green spots

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A lot of people feel nervous and afraid that they can’t (garden), but they can do it ... We have the knowledge base to help them succeed.

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– PATTY MARTEN, GARDEN GODDESS AT GREEN OASIS

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DE-STRESS WITH THE BEST Da Vinci Therapeutic Massage offers holistic healing for overall health

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very reservation against having a professional massage melts away during a session, according to Kari Tatu, owner of DaVinci Therapeutic Massage in Eau Claire. Even patients who are concerned about personal space and privacy ask themselves why they ever hesitated to book an appointment. “Massage therapy is so inexpensive in the grand scheme of things, and there’s very minimal side effects – other than maybe a little drooling and a little pure bliss and heaven,” Kari said.

Kari, a nationally certified massage therapist and member of the American Massage Therapy Association, has been in the business for more than 20 years, the majority of which has been spent serving clients in the Chippewa Valley. She works with a crew of talented, professional massage therapists with specialties including (but not limited to) Swedish, lymphatic, and deep tissue massage and even cupping.

In recent years, Kari has seen a sharp increase in interest in therapeutic massage. She attributes this in part to evolving medical research finding immense benefits in the practice. People are beginning to view massage less as a frivolous treat and more as an investment in overall health. Benefits of massage therapy include increased blood flow, improved post-op rehabilitation, and stress and chronic pain management.

It’s also been found to help patients suffering from chronic headaches, lower back pain, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and other conditions, she said. Kari receives several referrals a week from medical offices throughout the area.

“That really warms my heart because it makes me realize that the division there was between natural, holistic health, and modern health, are finally starting to come together,” she said.

During her early years in the area working at a spa, Kari found that very few men were coming in for massage, despite the fact that men she knew personally suffered from lower back, hip, and knee issues, among other maladies.

“They would never go get a

MASTER OF RELAXATION. Kari Tatu of Da Vinci Therapeutic Massage says massage can be like “pure bliss and heaven.”

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3420 MALL DR #2, EAU CLAIRE,

I love the profession, but I love my clients.

It’s like seeing a good friend every day when they walk through those doors.

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cal massage,” Kari said. So when she opened DaVinci in 2010 in a 600 square foot office on Brackett Ave., she did her best to make it a place that would welcome men as comfortably as it does women. The current location at 3420 Mall Drive is decorated in warm gray, rich reds and soothing beige. Easy tunes float in

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the air along with calming aromatics.

Playing her part in holistic healing is what she loves about her work.

“I love the profession, but I love my clients,” she said. “It’s like seeing a good friend every day when they walk through those doors.”

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– KARI TATU, OWNER OF DA VINCI THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

massage because they didn’t want to go to a spa,” she said. By her reckoning, they were nervous to enter an environment that was targeted primarily at women.

“I wanted to be able to do something where I could offer not only women, but men, who are looking for a more therapeutic, in depth, medi-

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GET A SUIT THAT SUITS YOU. While big box clothiers are closing their doors, Muldoon’s Mens Wear offers quality men’s clothes and a personal touch.

For all its vintage charm, Muldoon’s is a sharp business. It’s fashion, after all. Trends come and go and John has to be aware of what his customers are looking for. Not to mention he has to stay privy to the modernization of the industry by quickly adapting to an increasingly digital world as well.

In the mid-90s when the world wide web was coming into fruition, John said he took one hour-long HTML class, went home and built a website from scratch – a simple one, but an effective one. In the first two hours the Muldoon’s website was live, he already had an order from a customer in California. That’s when he realized the huge potential of the internet.

Since day one, their online sales have been strong; in fact, they’re key to Muldoon’s business, now more than ever. To this day, people all over the country – and the globe, in fact – order stuff from Muldoon’s.

But yet, the store here in Eau Claire is truly something special. It’s fully stocked with suits, pants, shirts, ties, flannels, hats, belts, socks, underwear, fragrances, etc. Most stores of its ilk sacrifice quantity for quality in some cases, but Muldoon’s keeps both firmly in stock. The fabrics

FANTASTIC FABRICS Muldoon’s Mens Wear keeps it real, stylish, and personal

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ixty eight years ago, Hastings Way looked a lot different than it does today. Where in 2018 it’s lined with bustling small businesses, back in 1950 there was a gas station, a bowling alley, a grocery store, a couple restaurants, and Muldoon’s Mens Wear. Pictures from back then line the walls of the current day Muldoon’s, and it’s baffling to a modern viewer that there’s nothing on either side of the building except grass and dirt.

As much as the evolving landscape surrounding the building has changed over the years, Muldoon’s has kept the spirit of its conception the whole time: Offering quality threads at an affordable price for all the important days of a man’s life. At Muldoon’s you can get custom suits and sportcoats for weddings, anniversaries, or even just a classy everyday look – it’s their bread and butter, and no one in the Valley does it better.

“Those are the original fixtures,” John Muldoon said, pointing to the shelves and racks surrounding the outer walls of the space. He started in the business when he was 10, doing chores around the store when his father, Frank – the founder and longtime

owner – was running things. John took over in 1975 and has kept the business thriving with a mantra of in-person service that he feels has gotten lost as the world goes more and more online.

“Some places, if you don’t look like you’ve got a lot of money, they don’t talk to you. There’s five guys standing there in grey suits on their phones, and they don’t come up and talk to you,” John said. “Here, we can react differently, quicker.”

Walking through Muldoon’s is like a menswear paradise. Along the walls are suits and tuxes in every color and fabric, there’s hats everywhere, accessories twinkling on hangers, and racks full to capacity with sturdy and stylish clothes.

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The people that come in here, they want to look and feel and touch the fabrics ... You can’t see that online. You can’t feel that online.

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– JOHN MULDOON, MULDOON’S MENS WEAR

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( 7 1 5 ) 8 3 2- 3 5 0 2 MULDOONS.COM @MULDOONSMENSWEAR INFO@MULDOONS.COM available are choice, so every customer can get what they’re looking for to their precise specifications.

And luckily there are lots of swatch cards for custom suits and sportcoats to flip through, plus a welcoming staff to find you the perfect fit. And that personality is what keeps people young and old coming back.

“The people that come in here, they want to look and feel and touch the fabrics. There’s some fantastic fabrics here,” Muldoon said. “You can’t see that online. You can’t feel that online.

It’s all about in-person service.”

In recent years, two of the fluorescent big box clothiers that were cornerstones of the Oakwood Mall have shuttered their windows, and yet Muldoon’s is still there on Hastings plugging away, doing their thing. It’s the personality of the place and its employees, and the quality of the goods, that has the real draw to bring customers back.

John and his staff are nothing if not dedicated to this business, and you can bet it’s going to stay that way.

“Why didn’t I retire?” John said. “I’m 66 years old. I’d go nuts at home – especially now because we’re having our kitchen re-done. I don’t hunt. I don’t fish. I don’t shoot pool. But this is just fun.”

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DRINKING IT IN Infinity Beverages creates innovative wines and spirits with local pride

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rop by drop, bottle by bottle, barrel by barrel, Matthew Rick has built Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery, a thriving wine and spirits business, in Eau Claire. Not content to create just a handful of predictable reds and whites, Infinity Beverages has embodied its name by producing a seemingly endless array of wines and spirits aimed at pleasing palates of all kinds. Whether at Infinity’s Tasting Lounge on Eau Claire’s south side or through scores of retail outlets across the region, customers can experience a sip of Infinity all over Northwest Wisconsin.

Rick, 32, came up with the idea for Infinity – including its name and a rough business plan – in high school while working at a restaurant with an award-winning wine list.

In college, he and his future wife, Kayla, began making wine in their apartment, and in 2010 – just two weeks after they were married – they founded Infinity Beverages.

At the time, Matthew Rick was the youngest Winemaker and soonto-be Distiller in the state at the young age of 23. The business began in a 600-square-foot room in Eau Claire’s Banbury Place, a space so small that when the first containers of grape juice arrived for fermentation they wouldn’t fit through the doorway. Two years later, Infinity opened its original Tasting Lounge at Banbury Place, which soon caught on with wine and spirit drinkers looking for locally made libations.

Since opening, Rick has grown incredibly grateful for a handful of key employees who are very passionate in each of their roles and also credits his wife with being in3460 MALL DR, EAU CLAIRE (715) 895-8020 INFINITYBEVERAGES.COM @INFINITYBEVERAGES WINERYDISTILLERY @INFINIBEV8

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Innovation is really at our core at Infinity, and the Experimental wines and spirits allow me to continuously push the envelope.

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– MATTHEW RICK, INFINITY BEVERAGES WINERY & DISTILLERY

strumentally supportive. Like most small-business owners, Rick wears many hats. “I see myself as an entrepreneur,” he says. “Like many other entrepreneurs trying to be successful, I spend a lot of time keeping the company focused. I do this as Winemaker and Distiller developing new products and as President/CEO working with my managers trying to lead us forward.”

Back in 2016, moving forward meant finding a new home for Infinity. With standing-room-only crowds in its Lounge and fermentation tanks and pallets of bottles filling every available inch in the back, Rick was ready for his next step. That year, Infinity moved to its current home, 3460 Mall Drive, a space that allowed it to triple in size to about 7,500 square feet. Practically overnight, the business grew from four to 20 employees, and soon production tripled as well.

Today, patrons gather in the spacious Tasting Lounge to enjoy Infinity’s wines, spirits, and specialty cocktails in a cozy yet modern setting. Just to the right of the bar is a large glass door that provides a view of towering, 1,000-gallon fermentation tanks. (You can call in advance to book a tour). There is a mezzanine which seats 52 people and can be rented for private gatherings.

Infinity handcrafts a growing roster of 17 regularly available products. Signature grape and fruit wines range from the award-win-

TOP: Joel Forke, production assistant, looks at the 1,000 liter still that produces vodka, whiskey, and other spirits at Infinity Beverages.

ABOVE: Melissa Christianson, front of house manager, pours a complimentary taste for a visitor at the Tasting Lounge.

ning Solace, a dryer yet fruity wine that is a mix of Syrah and Pinot Noir, and best-selling wine Panache, a half-and-half combination of Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, to mulberry and apricot fruit wines. (Infinity is the only place in the United States where you’ll have an opportunity experience a 100 percent mulberry wine.) There are Port style dessert wines named after Rick’s daughter, Adalina; three varieties of vodka, including one infused with chile peppers and their best-selling vodka infused with vanilla and espresso beans; and two kinds of whiskey distilled from craft beer, aka Beerskey. More recently, Infinity has begun to bottle its own specialty ready-to-drink cocktails (just add ice and enjoy), including Summer Heat, Summer Sangria, and Roasted

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Toasted Almond. Then there is an ever-expanding list of experimental wines and spirits: most currently, Mulled Wine and Whiskey Barrel Vanilla Espresso Infused Vodka.

Some of these are only made once in small batches, while others – such as Syrah aged in charred whiskey barrels – have become repeat favorites.

“Innovation is really at our core at Infinity, and the Experimental wines and spirits allow me to continuously push the envelope,” Rick says. “Above all, however, each of us at Infinity have a deep passion for sharing Infinity’s wines and spirits. We hope to use that passion to help the Chippewa Valley create new memories each time they visit us.” It’s an inventive approach that wine and spirit lovers can taste in each glass.

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