BRAINERD LAKES AREA
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D I S P A T C H
L A B O R
D A Y
SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881
S P E C I A L
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
Lakes area feels
INCREASED ECONOMIC OPTIMISM REJUVENATED WEST BRAINERD CONTRIBUTES TO POSITIVE OUTLOOK By RENEE RICHARDSON Associate Editor
At Wendy’s, owner Bob Sullivan has both seen and been a part of changes along Washington Street. His restaurant, along with Burger King a few blocks west, went through major remodels last fall. He pointed to other activity nearby which is helping to reinvigorate the area. The construction of AutoZone, which opened in August just down the street from Sullivan’s restaurant, renovated a long-vacant corner that was once home to an aging and empty convenience store and cafe. A few blocks away across Washington Street from Walgreens, Dunkin’ Donuts will be building in the former service station most recently home to Gull Lake Glass. With all the economic activity and investment are jobs. Hiring signs are a common sight in manufacturing and service industries. “I think it’s going in the right direction,” Sullivan said of the economy. “ … You see a lot of new buildings.” Even as he is waiting for the now empty lot next to his restaurant to become a building site, Sullivan appreciates the green grass where the former Simonson Lumber building stood before the business relocated to Baxter and the building was torn down.
See OPTIMISM Page S2
Photo Illustration by Jan Finger • Brainerd Dispatch Photos by Kelly Humphrey • kelly.humphrey@brainerddispatch.com