SAUK RAPIDS - Manea's Meats in downtown Sauk Rapids is planning a major expansion.

Owner Don Manea says they've run out of room in their current building, and have had to basically turn away business, due to a lack space.

During this (Monday) evening's city council meeting the council approved Manea's plan for an expansion with a 9,600 square foot addition along 2nd Street North. The city is requiring the building look like multiple buildings with different colors and heights. They also have to add some additional landscaping.

Manea's has a purchase agreement to buy a home behind them on 3rd Avenue North for additional parking.

The city council needed to give their approval because Manea's is in part a processing plant, which isn't normally allowed in the downtown. Also because they'll need to vacate part of an alley.

If all goes well, construction will begin in late July.

The new space will mean hiring more employees, although Don Manea couldn't say how many. They currently have 25 on staff.

Manea's Meats was started in Sauk Rapids in 1974. They moved to their current location when the new bridge was built.

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