local business

A popular building in downtown St. Joseph will see some updates in the near future. The old Loso building at 25 Minnesota Street West is home to the Minnesota Street Market, Closet to Closet and the Artisan Naan Bakery. A balcony will be added to the front of the building and will feature historical photographs. Other improvements include repainting the building facade, adding more lighting and reconstructing the roof overhang.

Over 100 Sartell business leaders and citizens came to honor the Sartell citizen, senior volunteer and business of the year last week. The citizen of the year was awarded to Joe Schulte, the retired volunteer of the year was given to Jim Wasdyke and Sartell Pediatrics was presented the business of the year award. The banquet also raised $2000 to go towards four scholarships.

The St. Cloud Byerly's is getting a new name and look this week. Starting Thursday, all 27 Lunds and Bylery's stores will be renamed Lunds & Byerlys. Customers will see new employee uniforms, name tags, grocery bags in the store. New storefront "Lunds & Byerlys" signage will also be installed at every location by the end of May.

Change is coming for the historic Rolling Ridge Wedding and Event Center and Scenic Specialties location in St. Joseph. Owner Randy Schmitz says they have had increasing requests to use the property for special events like weddings over the past few years. Schmitz bought the historic 1896 farm in 2001. It's located at 31101 County Road 133.

A popular Melrose pizza destination is coming to Sauk Rapids. John Dough's Pizza will be moving into the former Pizza Hut on 319 North Benton Drive. John Dough's has been operating in Melrose for nearly 10 years. Owner Leon Pierskalla says they hope to open in Sauk Rapids in the early summer.

A new deli style-pizza shop is being planned in St. Joseph. Sliced on College Avenue will serve pizza and deli style American contemporary food. The project includes a late night pizza by the slice service window

Founder Jim Kruse and President Melissa Kelley of J.F. Kruse Jewelers in St. Cloud, have been named the Minnesota Small Business Persons of the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The store started with two full-time and two part-time employees. J.F. Kruse Jewelers now have 17 employees.

Chick-fil-A is opening a restaurant in St. Cloud next year. Crossroads Center General Manager Darcy Eigen says the restaurant will be moving into the former Crossroads Pizza Hut location. The Pizza Hut closed its doors and moved to a different location in Sauk Rapids in January.

GNP Company has started the first phase of a two-phase expansion plan for its Cold Spring plant. The first phase of expansion, which started earlier this month, is expected to cost about $35 million.

Three St. Cloud businessmen are being honored by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. The 2015 Small Business Award winners were announced by the Chamber on Monday.