Biz Buzz: More curbside, new options for cheesecake and 'tingo'

In our altered world, there are more changes in the business landscape and more options for curbside.

JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts at the Westgate Mall in Baxter is now open for curbside pickup of online orders. Customers need to have an ID and email confirmation for pickup and then dial the number, which is listed on the sign at the Westgate Mall near the JoAnn entrance, to pick up orders curbside.

Once an online order is placed, it usually takes about an hour to fill at the store. Customers will get an email confirmation when the order is ready and have about nine days to pick the order up.

JoAnn's does have free kits for those making homemade masks. When customers are picking up orders curbside, they can just ask the store to include a kit. Each kit makes about six masks and has a pattern, fabric and thread. Customers will be limited to one or two kits each unless they are making masks to donate to a hospital or health care organization.

Two homegrown businessmen are now leasing Brick House Pizza Bread and Bagel on Washington Street in Brainerd and adding their cheesecake to the menu.

Jason Marcum, a 1991 graduate from Pequot Lakes High School, and Ryan Nelson, also a 1991 graduate from the Pine River area, are leasing the space and they are also behind the UGLY Cheesecake Co., UGLY stands for Uncommonly Good, Light, Yet still Cheesecake.

Marcum and Nelson are the local owners. Everyday they make 30 to 40 cakes.

They have 40 flavors of cheesecake and have a rotating list of flavors available, which customers can find more about by calling or checking Facebook. Cakes can come with a particular pop — think pop rocks with the Poppin Pistachio flavor or with a delightful sounding cotton candy version that provide favor and the popping candy for an extra, yes, pop.

Customers at Brick House can use curbside, pickup or delivery and drive-thru. Cheesecake is available at Brick House by the slice or whole cake. The business is also serving the Brainerd lakes area with delivery, including Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Brainerd and Crosby areas.

Special cake orders need to be in by Monday night to get a Thursday delivery to be sure they have the ingredients needed.

Marcum and Nelson thanked Kevin Stumpf, owner of the Baxter Cafe and Catering, who was an early supporter and their first commercial account for their cheesecake. Cub Foods was also an early supporter with their cheesecake product in the grocery bakery.

The UGLY Cheesecake Co. offers a free birthday slice when customers stop in, no purchase required.

The UGLY Cheesecake Co. is also on this week’s BLA Quarantingo Social Club, which has 'tingo' cards supporting local businesses with new cards each week. Players can get the cards from participating area small businesses and then play from their homes Saturday, April 25. This is the third week for the Quarantingo, an online game set 7 p.m. Saturdays.

“Participating Businesses are announced at the beginning of the week and those who wish to participate may receive cards to play,” Quarantingo states on its Facebook page. No purchase is required.

“We are so excited to see the interest in our game and the support of our local small businesses in our efforts,” from the Quarantingo Facebook post. “Cards will become available this Thursday - Saturday at the businesses listed below. One card per visit, please. Then on the BLA Quarantingo Facebook Page we will play LIVE at 7 pm so you can play from the comfort of your homes. Please request your card when stopping into any of these wonderful small businesses in our community. The prizes packages are definitely worth playing for and will be listed on the BLA Quarantingo page later this week.”

Participating businesses this week include Knotty Pine Bakery (open specific hours for pick up and walk in), Prairie Bay Grill (online ordering and curbside pick up), Mickey's Pizza (Curbside pick up and walk in), UGLY Cheesecake (available for pick up and preorders at the Brick House Pizza location), Jack Pine Brewery (offering curbside/walk in, online ordering and delivery), Wildflower Chocolates (Nisswa) online ordering/delivery, North Country Floral (order online, pick up and delivery), Loco Espress (walk-up window and call in orders), Meraki Boutique (Nisswa) online ordering, The Dock Panther (Nisswa) online ordering, Loide' Oils and Vinegars (Nisswa) walk-ins and online, Roundhouse Brewery (walk in/curbside/delivery), Boomer Pizza (curbside and call in orders) and Moreys Seafood (walk in/call in).

“You play from home ... use your cards, have a way to mark them off - NOT WITH A PEN OR MARKER, as you will be using your cards over for this date. Be creative... we may ask you what you are using to cover your cards. Then, if you get a Quarantingo - you need to call it out in the comments by saying TINGO and take a picture of your win and post on the page. We will verify your win and give out the prize package that was announced before the game to that winner. It is up to you to notify us as quickly as possible of your win. Once we say your name as our first Quarantingo of that round you will need to take a picture of your winning card and send it to this number: 218-838-0886. …

“That’s it. Join us. Have fun. Send us pictures of your crew enjoying the game! Make comments while we are live on Facebook and by golly invite your friends to participate.”

Editor's note: This story was updated with changes to Quarantingo to note they no longer use the word bingo and that no purchase is required to receive a card.

Renee Richardson, managing editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchBizBuzz.

Renee Richardson, managing editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchBizBuzz.