Biz Buzz - RUMOR PATROL, aka RED LOBSTER WATCH, KEEPS BUSY

Biz Buzz is always on rumor patrol every tidbit, besides the oft-passed story of Red Lobster coming to the area, is an opportunity that needs looking into.

One continuing rumor forecasts a Scheels Sporting Goods Store opening in the area. But Steve Scheel, chief executive officer reached at corporate headquarters in Fargo, N.D., said while Scheels probably would do well officials have not discussed moving into the lakes area. The firm now looks for communities with year-round populations similar to St. Cloud or more when they are expanding.

Cousins Subs, Excelsior Road North in Baxter next to Cub Foods, is moving to Brainerd.

The restaurant is buying the vacated Amoco site on the high visibility corner of Washington Street and Eighth Street near downtown Brainerd.

Plans are to add a drive-through, gain a little space and have a centralized location. Cousins Subs delivers often to businesses on the northeast side of Brainerd, including BISYS in the former Pamida building and A-Tek.

Cousins Subs plans to expand its evening hours and be open later on weekends. The move is expected to be completed by late January. And more hiring is anticipated depending on business and the expanded hours.

Wilsons Leather opened a store in the Westgate Mall for the holidays. The store will be open until sometime in January.

Hawkeye's Coffee Shop in Aitkin has new owners. Sue Bingham and Roger Dreher assumed ownership on Oct. 28. Sue Bingham's husband, Tom, is a silent partner in the business. The new owners plan to keep the same hours of operation and the food fare, the Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce reported.

The Clothes Spin opened in Little Falls. The store, owned by Judy Plemel, features new and next-to-new name brand clothes. They also special order and bring in new shipments of jeans and tops weekly. Kathy Sullivan is the manager and buyer.

The Movie Gallery also recently opened in Little Falls at the Lora B's Plaza on 11th Street Northeast. The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce reports District Manager Dan Rekstad and Manager Amy Swanson acquired the former Video Update. The corporate office is located in Alabama.

The Business Expo and Holiday Extravaganza will be 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Madden's Resort on Gull Lake.

Businesses and organizations will have booths at the event. Refreshments and silent auction and business networking are part of the event. Silent auction items have been donated to raise funds for the new welcome center.

Jiffy Lube, on First Avenue in Little Falls, is under new ownership. Jay Olness is the owner and Christy Litzau is manager. This is Olness' eighth store.

The Lonesome Pine Restaurant and Bar, just off Highway 18 in the Bay Lake area, has new owners in the Goolsbee family.

Josh Goolsbee, 24, and Tom Horwith, 25, are the new general managers. Former owners were John and Lura Metsa. The restaurant is open seven days a week. The Goolsbee family reports owning property and being mostly in the area since the 1930s.

The Christenson Agency of Crosby purchased First Insurance of Deerwood earlier this month.

John B. Christenson, owner of Christenson Agency, announced the purchase. In a statement, Christenson said acquiring the insurance agency was a good fit as many clients live in the Deerwood/Bay Lake area and do business with the Deerwood Bank.

Christenson and J.R. Spalj, chairman of the Deerwood Bank, both stated the change will not affect customers. Christenson stated both the Deerwood and Crosby offices will remain open.

Staff members of the two agencies, Rose Steinke, Bev Kunz, Deb Sundsvold and Stephanie Trotter, will share time between the two offices.