By Jeremy Fugleberg
It’s that time of the week again.
Questions? Complaints? Rumors you’ve heard?
Here’s where you talk about them.
I’m away for the rest of today on furlough (for the fiscal stability of Lee Enterprises). Coworkers will approve comments as they can, and I’ll pop in periodically this weekend to do the same.
Have at it.
By Jeremy Fugleberg
While other businesses are struggling, Verizon employees got a bonus check last Friday.
From my inbox:
Most of Verizon Wireless’ nearly 100 South Dakota employees last Friday received a 9-10 percent bonus for 2008. While other companies have been cutting back, Verizon Wireless—with four company-owned retail locations in two South Dakota cities (including Rapid City) – still offers profit-sharing up to 3 percent of salaries, a 401(k) program with company-matching contributions up to 6 percent of an employee’s salary, and incentives like tuition reimbursement. For the first time, sales people also received a bonus, in addition to salary and commission. The company continues to grow, with fourth-quarter wireless revenues up 12.3 percent over 2007.
By Jeremy Fugleberg
Commenter ‘new business’ says:
The motel on Mt. Rushmore Road, across from Safeway, they had taken out a couple of the buildings, but now on the sign on front, it says, coming soon, Sports Buzz, family, food and fun. Heard anything about that?
This is news to me. The lot is listed on the county’s Web site as belonging to BH Hotels c/o First Western Gateway.
It sounds like it’s be a sports-themed resturant of some kind. I’ll see what I can find out.
I would imagine they would have to demolish the old, boarded-up hotel on that lot.
UPDATE: Commenter ‘BZZZZZ’ says:
The new place Sports Buzz, Family Food n Fun is being constructed and hopes to open late this summer at this high traffic site . A part of the building on site will be used and incorporated into the new construction and complex. The facility will be non smoking & incorporate a family restaurant ,retail store,subshop,ice cream and smoothie counter, arcade, prize center,party rooms,all with a vibrant sports theme..the focus will be families,youth, high schools and area sports teams. a wholesome,clean,safe place for youth and families. a great place to go to with friends and family and to work at for our youth too . the businesses will have good food, ice cream & snacks ,kids menu ,fun, great tv’s for sports viewing, be locally owned and operated with a focus on sponsorship,fundraising,donating and helping youth,families and sports programs,recognition and promotion
By Jeremy Fugleberg
For those of you who haven’t seen it, here’s a photo of the On the Border Tex-Mex restaurant under construction on East North Street:
By Jeremy Fugleberg
It’s easy for all of us (especially this business reporter) to see only the numbers in layoff news.
Here’s the human face of the Sanmina-SCI layoffs, courtesy of Ashnat on a post about the layoffs on city-data.com’s South Dakota section:
At Target the other day this mom and her little girl 3 or 4 years old were shopping. The girl asked her mom, why are we buying tape mommy. Can we afford tape? The mom said I need the tape for the garage sale. Then the little girl said “Oh, ok, everythings going to change. In a couple months everything will be different. Where will we move to mommy?”
Then the mom explained to me her hubby works for SCI. That little girl sounded so adorable, yet it is so sad.
That breaks my heart. I wish them the best.
By Jeremy Fugleberg
Verizon Wireless customers in Rapid City should get better coverage with the help of two recently-activated cell tower sites, the company announced today.
The improved coverage areas are:
In a statement, the company said it spent $25.9 million in 2008 to improve its network in South Dakota.
Says Nancy Clark, president of the Great Plains Region of Verizon Wireless:
Getting through on the first try and maintaining a connection are critical to our customers, so we continue to optimize our network to provide our customers the best overall experience.
By Jeremy Fugleberg
Watiki Indoor Water Park is set to get a safer, ‘rubberized’ floor (made by No Fault) and a new set of boilers to better regulate water temperature.
To do the work, Watiki closed the park until March 7.
On that day, Koko, the park’s monkey mascot, will hide somewhere in the park. The first kid to find him wins an annual pass to the park. More details about the promotion will come soon. I just wish adults could participate, as well.
Says Dawn Burns, Watiki sales manager:
We’re really excited about it, that even though it’s a new property, we’re doing some upgrades that are going to be very significant for our guests.
By Jeremy Fugleberg
Commenter ‘GrammaS’ says:
Has anyone heard of a possible used vehicle business going in on East North Street? Just East of the intersection of Cambell and East North (on the north side). The hill right next to Aamco Transmission (south side) is currently being excavated. Heard a rumor that it might be a used vehicle sales lot. There are a number of things happening in the area, but don’t believe this has been mentioned
Anybody heard anything or have any ideas?
UPDATE: A neighbor says they’ve heard Enterprise Rent-A-Car will move to the site. Enterprise is now based on a Cambell Street site just down the road.
By Jeremy Fugleberg
I had heard Heritage Nursery on West Chicago was for sale, and now its phone is disconnected.
Does anyone know what happened?
By Jeremy Fugleberg
For those of you wishing and waiting for a second Wal-Mart. I’ve got nothing.
I’ve been poking around, and asking questions, without much success. Nothing definite, that is.
No applications, no rumbles on the street. And Missouri-based THF Realty, the company in charge of the the future of a second Rapid City Wal-Mart, won’t talk to me (I’m looking at you, Brian Deutsch).
Not that I won’t chase any rumor that moves about this. But it’s frustrating.
Especially as a southside resident suffering from a lack of nearby retail.
Here’s the most recent Journal piece about the project. From what I understand THF withdrew the outstanding permit requests, and hasn’t been heard from since.
