A site in Baxter, just off Highway 371 North, could be home to a new marine business.
An applicant is seeking approval from the city for a conditional use permit to allow pontoon boat sales for McLaughlin Marine.
The Better Business Bureau lists McLaughlin’s RV & Marine as based in Fargo, North Dakota, with 56 years in business. On the company’s website two physical locations are listed — Fargo and Detroit Lakes with a phone number for the Brainerd area. The business includes boats, pontoons, travel trailers and fifth wheels.
“Under the request, the applicant would offer their lineup of pontoon boats for sale with pontoons displayed inside and outside of the building,” stated Josh Doty, Baxter community development director in a Feb. 8 report to the planning commission. “Other than two retail offices and restrooms, the building would be opened into one large room to allow pontoons in the building.
“The applicant is planning to construct a larger overhead door in the location of the existing overhead doors to allow pontoon access into the building. McLauglin Marine has larger facilities in Detroit Lakes and Fargo so the Baxter location would function as a retail showroom. Meaning that pontoons would be purchased from the Baxter location, but the pontoons are showroom models and would not be the specific boats to leave the site. The purchasing customers would travel to their other facilities to pick up their pontoon or arrange for other delivery options.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The location, 15808 Edgewood Drive, was previously home to the Sound Connection before it moved farther north and it was also a previous spot for Harley-Davidson. Neighboring business for the location include Party World, Minnesota Inboard Water Sports, Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes and The Boulder Tap House.
In the report to the Planning and Zoning Commission, the city noted seven parking spaces are required for the use, where 17 spaces would be provided.
“Staff notes that if the use were ever modified to a full pontoon dealership rather than a showroom, an auto dealership parking standard would be more appropriate, and would require more required parking spaces. However, as presented by the applicant, the facility should have sufficient parking for the use.”
Staff recommended approval at the planning meeting and the subject will go before the city council Tuesday, Feb. 15.
Sazama Family Chiropractic & Wellness, with offices in Baxter and Pequot Lakes, reported it acquired Hopkins Health & Wellness Lakes Area, based in Pequot Lakes.
The business reported the acquisition allows Sazama Family Chiropractic & Wellness to merge their existing clinic offerings in Pequot Lakes and move them to Hopkins Health & Wellness Lakes Area’s existing location at 31108 Government Drive in Pequot Lakes.
“The addition of Hopkins Health & Wellness to the clinic family brings numerous benefits to patients,” said Dr. Seth Sazama in a news release. “This includes expanded hours in our Pequot Lakes market, the addition of an in-house physical therapy department, amazing staff, and the clinical expertise of Dr. Michelle Lelwica and JP Wesp, PT.”
“This expansion aligns with our goals to bring an excellent collaborative care model to additional communities throughout our region, as well as continuing our mission of giving back to the communities we serve,” said Dr. Danielle Sazama, in the release.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hopkins Health & Wellness will continue to operate under its current name and location, while offering additional chiropractic care provided by Dr. Tanner Solheim, the company stated.
“We are excited be a part of Sazama Family Chiropractic and Wellness,” said Dr. Michelle Lelwica. “We will continue to offer our great service to the Pequot Lakes area, while benefiting from additional staff and providers to continue our growth”.
The Sazama Family Chiropractic and Wellness was founded in 2011.
