BIZ BUZZ

Physicians Laser Center is one of the newest additions to Grizzly's Center.

Close-Converse Commercial & Preferred Properties recently leased 900 square feet between Fantastic Sam's and Lonesome Cottage Furniture to Little Falls Laser. Drs. Harnath and Leighanne Holmes are the business owners and operators. Dr. Leighanne Holmes will do all the treatments.

The center specializes in laser hair removal treatments. They expect to be open in mid-April with two employees. They will offer laser skin treatment for spider veins, rosacea and red and brown marks on the skin. Spider veins treatment typically can be accomplished in one visit. Hair removal may take four to six treatments -- each about 15 minutes.

The average charge is about $200, depending on the size of the area and number of treatments. Harnath Holmes said the laser hair treatment offers a permanent solution for unwanted hair growth. Clients are men and women of all ages, he said.

The center will offer professional skin care products and Harnath Holmes said they hope to add microdermabrasion and perhaps expand to Botox treatments in the future.

Holmes said they wanted to move into the lakes area because of its growth and summer traffic.

TDS Metrocom, Pequot Lakes, laid off another 12 people last week. All were from the customer care residential section. Sarina Gleason, public relations manager, said the reason for the layoffs, which follow an earlier round of cuts eliminating 30 jobs, is that the current regulatory environment greatly affected TDS Metrocom's ability to sell residential service in Minnesota and North Dakota as a provider competing in Qwest markets.

She said the company has announced it has no plans to close the TDS Metrocom offices in Pequot Lakes at this time.

Chef Tim Anderson is no longer associated with Prairie Bay restaurant in Baxter. Mike Bullinger owns the restaurant. Prairie Bay expects to announce a new chef shortly.

In-Fisherman Communications Network is celebrating its 30th year. In recognition, In-Fisherman magazine, considered the communication network's flagship, is publishing a special anniversary issue in June.

The company announced the commemorative issue will be on newsstands May 24.

Brothers Ron and Al Lindner founded In-Fisherman in 1975 in the lakes area after leaving Lindy-Little Joe Inc., which they had started in 1968 as Lindy Manufacturing with Nick Adams.

What began as a self-described "mail order course on fishing" spawned international television and radio shows and a number of spinoff magazines.

Jason Davis, KSTP Channel 5, was in the Brainerd lakes area preparing for a show this May that takes a look at the new water parks going up along Highway 371 North, the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce reported. Davis also was taking a look at Paul Bunyan at This Old Farm and the work on a new statue of the famed lumberjack that will be part of the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center.

RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, can be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.