June promises to be a busy month for business activity

Keeping up with business activity set for the first of June will take some reader stamina. So take a breath and read on.

A new meat shop is set to open the second week in June in old Tom Thumb location in northeast Brainerd.

Work is currently under way at the intersection of Mill Avenue and H Street to renovate the former gas station/convenience store into Schwicky Meats.

Dan and Cammy Yaunick, from the Brainerd area, purchased the building as a new venture for the meat market. Inventory will include all types of meats, sausage and beefsticks, German sausage, ham and chicken. The shop will feature ready-to-eat roasts, smoked potatoes and cheeses and a little bit of deli. And the shop will bake its own bread for buns and garlic bread.

"You name it and that's what we plan on doing," Dan Yaunick said.

The Yaunicks farm and have operated an excavating company in the area about 20 years.

When the idea of opening a meat shop in Brainerd came up, Yaunick said he thought it would be a good idea and began looking for a location. Phil Frolik will be the manager and, if all goes well, the shop could employ eight to 10 people. The Schwicky Meats name comes from a nickname Yaunick's father used to call calves.

The shop will be open seven days a week with hours expected to run from 8 a.m. to at least 8 p.m.

J & B Western Store is moving from its familiar location on Highway 210 in Baxter next to Dondelinger's auto to a new facility further west on Highway 210 toward Pillager. The new store will be about seven minutes drive from the current location. The relocation should be complete without an interruption in open days for the store. The new facility is expected to open June 2.

John Sundby, J & B Western Store, said they have been in the current location 11 years and have been in business for 18 years. The store has been expanded five times in its current location and just needed more room to expand sales lines and have greater room for display areas. The store carries between 250 and 400 saddles.

The new location will allow expansion of clothing lines into Cinch and Crew brands and Justin boots along with more tack supplies such as the Kensington brand and other saddle companies. The gift line and T-shirts along with jewelry also will be expanded. Renters are being sought for the building J & B Western is vacating.

Other expansion options may include Wintec and Crosby tack lines among others.

In addition to 12-foot ceilings with greater display areas, the new store will be more than three times larger. Part of the building includes an area set up for a 40 foot by 60 foot auditorium area for seminars and clinics and even bringing horses in for saddle fittings.

House of Flowers, Washington Street, is moving to the North Pointe Centre in Baxter, next to Baja Sol Tortilla Grill, Godfather's, Sylvan Learning Center, Syvantis and Computer Plus. North Pointe Centre had its grand opening Friday and Saturday.

House of Flowers should be open in the new location beginning June 2. Owner Emily Ranweiler said she expects to be able to move during the weekend and not have to close the flower shop.

Ranweiler said the move will give the flower shop better access, more parking and will allow a better store layout. Plans include a walk-in cooler accessible to customers. The new location will include an expanded gift area and the ability to display more flowers.

The business employs six. A longtime fixture as the flower shop on the corner of Washington and Eighth streets, the building was put on the sale market last week.

Action also was spotted in the former Only Deals location near the Midtown Shopping Center on Washington Street in Brainerd. Sheetrock was being carried into the former Only Deals, which was once a grocery store. But the city of Brainerd did not have an update on any permits filed or activity for a new business enterprise in that location. However, the "for lease" signs came down some time ago. Inquiring minds want to know.

The Framing Connection opened nearly a week ago on Excelsior Road near It Figures workout center in Baxter. The business handles framing and matting for pictures, prints, needlework, shadow boxes, newspaper articles and nearly anything similar that can be displayed. Business owner and framer Edie Peterson has 18 years of experience at Ben Franklin framing and Christmas Point. This is Peterson's first business venture on her own. The Framing Connection will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on Saturday by appointment.

Beth's Place opened in Pine River last month. Owners Beth and Lenny Page opened the restaurant on Barclay Avenue and the fare includes pizzas, panini and sub sandwiches, soups and salads and Bridgeman's ice cream. The restaurant features a salad bar and all-you-can-eat salad.

Heartland Tire Service, Brainerd, was assessed a civil penalty of $2,900 for violating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations, the U.S. Department Transportation's Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration in St. Paul reported.

An investigation of Heartland Tire Service on Feb. 27 recorded a violation for failing to implement an alcohol and/or controlled substances testing program.