local business

Minnesota manufacturers are hiring more and are paying higher wages, according to a new survey. The seventh annual State of Manufacturing survey was presented in St. Cloud on Tuesday. Enterprise Minnesota CEO Bob Kill says manufacturers in St. Cloud and greater Minnesota will likely continue to create more jobs.

Blattner Energy Inc. is investing $6.2 million to expand and renovate its headquarters in Avon. Blattner Energy is planning a two-story, 20,296 square-foot expansion. It's expected to create 12 new jobs at the site. The project includes adding 75 new offices and work stations.

A downtown St. Cloud tea shop now has a new name and ownership. What used to be Willow Tea is now Spice of Life Tea at 820 West St. Germain Street. Terri Emmerich is the new owner and says she jumped at the opportunity to own the shop. Spice of Life offers numerous teas by the cup or in bulk, coffee, herbs and spices.

A new gyro-Mediterranean restaurant is opening in St. Cloud soon. Gyro Express will be in the strip center at 33rd Avenue North and 3rd Street. Amer Mian is the owner of Gyro Express and also Campus Kabob in town, he says they hope to open sometime next week.

A new Pizza Hut-Wingstreet on 5th Avenue in St. Cloud is having its grand opening on Monday. The Pizza Hut is at 305 5th Avenue South, the building previously held a campus bookstore. The restaurant will also feature a full bar and sports bar atmosphere with several large TV's.

The Lupine Brewing Company in St. Cloud is expanding its reach by opening a taproom in Delano this summer. Lupine started operating late last year and brews out of the former O'Hara's building at 3310 Third Street North. Their beers are available at local bars and restaurants.

A nearly 100 acre distribution center could be coming to St. Joseph. St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz says a developer is looking into the possiblity of building the center in town. City documents say the proposed location for the center would be near 19th Avenue Northeast and County Road 133.

A unique home furnishings store in downtown St. Cloud will be closing its doors this summer. Accents is at 713 West St. Germain Street and opened in 2010. Owner Kathy Severson says she and her husband decided to close the store for personal reasons and to travel more.

CVS Pharmacy is opening a store in Albany this summer. The CVS store will be at the corner of Railroad Road and 8th Street. City Administrator Tom Schneider says construction has started. The locally owned Albany Apothecary pharmacy isn't expecting the CVS to have much of an impact on them.

A popular south St. Cloud gyro destination is expanding with a new location this summer. New York Gyro is opening a new spot in the former McCann's building at 3310 3rd Street North. Qamar Shahid is the owner of New York Gyro, he says they will be able to serve more customers with another location on the north side of town.