New store and new repair service will replace Guyer’s

Look for a new appliance store — Warners’ Stellian — to open in Rochester in the wake of the closure of Guyer’s.

The St. Paul-based retailer is doing a "fairly extensive remodel" of the former Guyer’s store at 1318 Apache Drive S.W. and hopes to open at the start of June, says operations director Robert Warner.

Why does Warner believe this store will succeed where the last one failed?

"We feel our brand mix and our services set us apart," he said. "We’re very successful (in the Twin Cities). We’re very successful competing against Big Box stores."

What about Guyer’s staff?

"We hope to keep as much of that team in place as possible," he said. Expect about 10 people on staff.

On the repair service side of Guyer’s business, another Twin Cities operation — D & T Appliance Service — is opening yet this month.

Keeping most of Guyer’s staff in place, D&T is working out of the warehouse at 1435 Industrial Drive N.W. for a while, said president Thomas Lundin.

While D&T is not affiliated with any dealer, it is used to working with Warners’ Stellian.

"We have a very strong relationship with them," said Warner. "We talked before they decided to come here. It is kind of a tandem move."

Hot doggin’

Despite still scraping off my windshield this morning, a sign of spring is on the way.

Rick Murphy is ready to roll out his Diamond Dogs hot dog carts in downtown Rochester.

Look for carts in front of Rochester Public Library and on First Avenue Southwest in front of the Marriott Hotel. The latter is only until the revamped Peace Plaza is finished.

Dish & deli

Dish It Up, the last Rochester meal preparation business still standing on its own, is adding a deli.

Expect the deli with seating for 25 people to open at the end of May, says owner Heather Tlougan. The deli will be in the front part of the business at 3456 East Circle Drive N.E.

It will serve soups, sandwiches and a daily hot entree.

Mile manager to leave

For the past 15 years, George Bayrd has managed Rochester’s Miracle Mile Shopping Center.

In recent days, he shepherded it through a makeover and then lined up a new anchor — HOM Furniture — to fill the long-empty ex-Carson Pirie Scott building.

Now he says it time to step back. "It just seems like the right time."

He’s not heading out right away. Expect him to leave the post in the next 60 days or so. While he doesn’t have specific plans yet, he does plan to stay in real estate.

"It feels pretty good to go out on a good note," he said.

New Starbucks to open

Expect the new Rochester Starbucks coffee shop being built inside the Radisson Plaza Hotel on the skyway level to open on May 12.

On the move

• Braun Intertec Corp.’s Rochester office is moving east at the end of this month.

The geotechnical engineers that provide testing and inspection services for the construction industry is moving to 4210 U.S. 14 East, says associate principal Kyle Shubert.
"We’ve just outgrown our current facility (at 2637 U.S. 14 West)," he says.

He has nine on staff.

In conjunction, LB Electric is moving out of the U.S. 14 East location into owner Larry Brown’s home office.

The deal was brokered by Darci Fenske of Paramark Real Estate Services.

• Mick King is also on the move.

The Rochester massage therapist will have a new home this week.
He is moving Stress Solutions to the Stone Barn at 615 16th St. S.W. from the Hillcrest Shopping Center.

Biz buzz

Does Wal-Mart have plans to replace its south Rochester store by building a new one near the Shoppes on Maine development?

This story continues to circulate months and months after it started making the rounds.

I sent an e-mail query and this is what I got back.

"We have no projects planned in Rochester at this time."

There you go.

Check out Kiger’s Notebook on postbulletin.com, for daily updates.