Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BIG RIVER SIGN COMPANY
BIG RIVER SIGN COMPANY. A reputation for getting a job done quickly and well since 2005, led to the growth from a two-person shop to having in 2021 a firm with six full-time employees and one part-time worker in a 5,500 square-foot building.
In 2005 Mike and Jill Barden, Dubuque natives, were living in Omaha, Nebraska but wanted to return to Dubuque. The possibility of taking over an existing business in the city resulted in the relocation taking place, but the deal failed. Taking a chance on an advertisement promising to teach a person how to set up and own a sign-making business, the Bardens took the risk.
The firm has created many forms of physical media. In the process, the company provided design, production, and installation of signs, vehicle graphics and large printed material. The company has also handled the maintenance of many of the products it created including decals for semi-tractor trailers and company vehicles to decals for boats and logos for the front of new restaurants.
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Source:
1. Kruse, John, "Signs of Success," Telegraph Herald, May 9, 2021, p. 8C