local business

The St. Cloud County Inn and Suites by Carlson West location is expanding and remodeling over the fall and winter. The parking lot of the hotel is currently being updated to add a veranda and a new seating area.

After months of preparation and remodeling, a popular Melrose pizza restaurant is hoping to open its new location in Sauk Rapids next week. John Dough's Pizza is at 319 North Benton Drive and has been operating in Melrose for around 10 years.

Around 400 people are expected at the Rivers Edge Convention Center on Thursday for the 2015 St. Cloud Innovation Summit. Sonja Gidlow is the director of communications with the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, she says the summit is a great way for companies to share their innovations with the community.

The Albany economy may take a negative hit with the announcement that their area hospital will be closing at the end of the year. City administrator Tom Schneider says the decision to close the hospital will likely cut some jobs in town. The hospital had an average amount of just one patient and four emergency department visits per day.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit in St. Cloud is up for sale. The restaurant is in the Division Street strip mall behind Red Lobster. Owner Dan Stuttgen says he decided to put the building up for sale so he can spend more time with family.

An icon in St. Joseph is closing its doors after 70 years in the community. El Paso Bar and Grill is well known for everything from fish fries to volleyball leagues but owner Carole Tamm says she’ll always remember it as one big family.

Big Apple Bagels is nearing its Grand Opening, bringing a variety of breakfast and lunch options to downtown St. Cloud.

A Kwik Trip is moving into the El Paso Bar and Grill location in St. Joseph. The St. Joseph planning commission will be considering a special use/variance and platting on October 12 for the development. El Paso will be closing on September 26th after 70 years in business.

The St. Cloud Federal Credit Union and St. Cloud City and County Employees Credit Union are merging. The merged credit unions will become one organization under the St. Cloud Federal Credit Union name, with assets over $140 million serving over 18,000 members.

Secretary of State Steve Simon will be touring central Minnesota tomorrow (Thursday) to talk local business.