Examples of the power of cyclenomics-bicycles that is-in the lakes region continue.
Work is transforming a building in Crosby into the Red Raven Bike Cafe, coffee shop and bike shop. The Red Raven's Facebook page notes the business plans to include healthy food/snacks, bikes, bike parts and art.
The business is owned by a husband and wife team-Patrick Stoffel and Julie McGinnis. The couple met in St. Cloud. Stoffel, who is originally from Willmar, said he made a connection with the Cuyuna Lakes area during his first visit to the bike trails with a friend.
"It's just amazing," Stoffel said of the mountain bike trails on the Cuyuna Range after that initial visit, noting it was a little over an hour away, but a whole different way of life. "It just clicked," Stoffel said, adding to make a life and business move to Crosby was "a pretty easy hook."
Stoffel said starting a bike shop was always in the back of his mind. Stoffel's background is in special education. McGinnis' background is in art. They are blending their talents in the Red Raven.
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Stoffel previously worked at a shelter for at-risk youth, which incorporated creative intervention with a bike shop, recording studio, art shop and garden. Stoffel said he thought the work with bikes would help with problem-solving skills. In addition, the young people used creativity in melding bike parts into one usable creation. Those bikes were donated to the community. In a long-term view, Stoffel said he'd like to create a nonprofit from this business startup.
But that's in the future. Now the focus is on making the Red Raven Bike Cafe a success as it appeals to the growing number of people in the area and coming to experience the trails. Stoffel and McGinnis relocated to Crosby with their 10-month-old baby and purchased a house. Their home-to-work commute is now a distance of footsteps.
Stoffel said he'd like to create a place that is a draw for the community and he plans to be involved in cycling on a local level as well as by volunteering.
The Red Raven building was previously used as a furniture store and boutique but its history in the community has been a long one, including a car dealership. The brick building, 2 Third Avenue SW in Crosby, is on a main thoroughfare and has the ambiance of history right down to the steel trusses. Stoffel said a lot of sweat equity from family and friends is going into the building's transformation. Now they are waiting for the windows to arrive. Opening day is expected in early to mid-July.
Why was this the time to make the move and start the business? Stoffel said it came from the feeling of energy and direction in the community evident in biking along the nearby trails.
"This is going to be a growing culture," Stoffel said. "You can kind of feel that."
Palmtree Salon opened at 219 S. Eighth St, Brainerd as Tammy Haag, a former manager at Fantastic Sams is opening her own business. She has stations, or chairs, to rent to other stylists who have a manager's license. Haag is offering a full-service salon, including manicures and pedicures.
Preferred Hearing Aid Center reported it is expanding in Brainerd following the acquisition of Easy Hearing Clinic.
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Steve Trebil, of Preferred Hearing Aid Center, recently announced the purchase. The Brainerd location is open Monday through Friday with a full range of services and products. There are also locations in Pequot Lakes and Crosby. In a news release, Trebil said they were looking forward to serving the Easy Hearing Clinic clients and have been serving the hearing impaired populations for over 25 years.
RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz .
