BIZ BUZZ

Maggie's, the convenience store and gas station that opened in the former Mobil station on the corner of Washington and North Fourth streets, closed Monday night.

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Building owner Kelly Bevans leased the convenience store and gas pumps to Dave Huber, Maggie's owner, in the summer of 2008 while he Bevans retained his automotive servicing area.

"Maggie's will not re-open," Bevans said.

But Bevans was working to open the convenience store and gas station by 7 a.m. last Thursday to start an anticipated 10-day liquidation sale. And he was meeting with Mike Flynn of Weichert Realtors Tower Commercial, in an attempt to look for another tenant. Bevans said Maggie's was doing well, but the issue may have been an overall business decision as Huber previously owned several locations.

Bevans said he hopes to find another partner for the convenience store, but doesn't expect to run it himself. Years ago, Bevans said it was feasible to work on cars and sell pop and candy, but the business is much too complex for that these days. Bevans was working through red tape regarding claims on inventory in order to have the liquidation sale onsite.

"We're very sad to see Maggie's close," Bevans said, noting the store was a complement to his garage and provided a northside and central city stop for customers looking to fill-up.

Bevans said his automotive business is growing, building on the business reputation he's established in more than 20 years on the job. While the site may not be a gas station in the future, Bevans said that use would be his first choice.

A McDonald's restaurant may be coming to Nisswa.

Plans submitted to the city for a conditional use permit show a McDonald's restaurant proposal on the undeveloped lot on the corner of Highway 371 and County Road 77 where the sign for businesses farther down on County Road 77 now sit, such as the Grand View sign.

Central Minnesota Properties submitted the CUP, which will go before the Nisswa Planning Commission on Monday morning. The proposed development includes a retail complex with the restaurant.

The proposal to construct a Supervalu grocery store on the Bradmor Motel site along Highway 371 in Pequot Lakes was discussed at an Aug. 4 Pequot Lakes City Council meeting.

The council voted 3-2, with Mayor Nancy Adams and council member Cathy Malecha against, to deny a request for conceptual approval for tax-increment financing at this time regarding the grocery store project. Council members Craig Nagel, Tom Ryan and Dave Sjoblad voted for the denial.

Chuck Marohn, Pequot Lakes city planner, said Tuesday the grocery store applicant previously stated TIF was needed in order for the grocery store project to proceed. The developer was seeking $800,000 in redevelopment TIF.

Paul Tucci, Oppidan Inc., is seeking a conditional use application and a variance to exceed the 25 percent impervious coverage limit and a variance from the requirements for a buffer zone vegetation in order to create a Supervalu store with additional retail space. That application is on the Aug. 20 planning commission agenda.

Pequot Lakes has an existing grocery store in Northern Food King. Marohn and Northern Food King owner Justin Bolz-Andolshek said there isn't enough business to support two grocery stores.

Bolz-Andolshek said Tuesday's vote showed him the council doesn't believe that TIF is an appropriate tool to offer to competing businesses to stores that already exist in the city. Northern Food King employs 47 people. Bolz-Andolshek owns the business with his wife, Kimberly. They purchased the family business in 2000. If their children go into the business, they'll be the fifth-generation of grocers.

Bolz-Andolshek said they've talked to city officials about expanding their business and are moving forward with plans at their current downtown site along Highway 371 whether the Supervalu project proceeds or not. He said businesses in the city have been frozen by plans for the reconstruction of Highway 371 and the economy.

Bolz-Andolshek said their futrue plans include a larger grocery store with competive prices, more selections and a home-town feel.

"We're up to the task," he said. "And we are going to continue to move forward."

Tucci was unavailable for comment Thursday. His office did not immediately respond to a call for a comment on the future of the proposal.

Lillians of Nisswa owners reported they are closing the shop in the city and moving back to Hutchinson after the Nisswa store's Aug. 29 sale.

"We wanted to extend a big thank you to all of you for touching our lives during the last year," owners Katie Quast and Dana Meyer wrote in announcing the change. The sisters said the move will bring their business closer to home. "We have made many great connections and friends since our journey began last July."

Quast said while it's hard to leave everyone here, they are excited about the move.

Arby's recently opened a restaurant in Little Falls on East Highway 27, the Chamber of Commerce reported. The business employs 40 people.

Little Fiesta Restaurant, owned by Ruben and Cecilia Aceves, opened in the former Godfather's Pizza site, 310 N.E. 12th St., Little Falls.

Edward Jones Investments with Kyle Hoggarth moved into the former Prescription Shoppe building at 301 S.E. First St. in Little Falls, which was remodeled.

Wheel Fun Rentals, a recreation company that rents bikes including this surrey with bench seats, bike pedal power and seating for adults and children, added a location at Kavanaugh's Resort in East Gull Lake.

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Wheel Fun Rentals recreational rental company added a location in East Gull Lake at Kavanaugh's Resort on Sylvan Lake.

Wheel Fun Rentals equipment includes a surrey with a fringe on top minus the harness and horses. This four-wheeled surrey runs on bike-like pedal power with bench seats and extra seating for small children who will be riding instead of pedaling. This is Wheel Fun Rentals first location in Crow Wing County. Rodney Knight, who is based in St. Cloud, owns the franchise rights for Minnesota.

At Kavanaugh's Wheel Fun Rentals has mountain bikes, nostalgic bikes with three speeds and white-walled tires and the surrey, which holds three adults and two children.

The company's Web site notes its history began with founder Brian McInerney vacationed in Italy in 1987 and saw the multi-passenger surrey cycle, bought some and opened a rental shop in Ventura, Calif. In 1999, Wheel Fun Rentals came into being when McInerney and Al Stonehouse, who had experience as president of Diamondback bicycles, combined their talents.

Knight said he teamed up with hotels and resorts in Duluth and in St. Paul and added Kavanaugh's this spring. Knight said it was a test and there are hopes for more options down the road. This is Knight's sixth season with the company. Even with the current economy, Knight said the business has done well as people look for ways to do things as a family and be active.

"It's a nice turn-key system to any hotel or resort so we are hoping it will catch on," Knight said. The surrey rents for $15 per hour.

He's said it's an activity that can include three generations - all on the same bike so to speak.

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