business

An unexpected notice showed up on an agenda at Minneapolis City Hall last week. Turns out, Target Corp. is in the market for a full liquor license for its downtown headquarters at 10th and Nicollet Mall.

Rather than head down to the Newsroom, the Local or any other nearby watering holes, the discount retailer wants to entertain employees and visitors at its own Cafe Target, which has a great room and fireplace, said City Inspector Craig Eliason.

Bon Appetit Management Co. applied for the license. Bon Appetit's Mark LaChance said it would be used for private parties, not for some hip new bar concept at the Target store or in the employee cafeteria.

Eliason said the application was "definitely unusual," and couldn't think of another corporation to seek a liquor license.

No one showed up at the hearing to speak for or against it. The City Council will vote on Friday.

The price tag for such a license: $6,200 a year.

Where's Dunkin'?

Two years ago, popular restaurant chain Dunkin' Donuts said it wanted to come back to Minnesota with 100 new restaurants.

That never happened. And, when the company last Wednesday announced its new store openings and franchise agreements for the first half of 2010, Minnesota was conspicuously absent.

Things looked different last year, when parent company Dunkin' Brands of Canton, Mass., said it had signed up its first Minnesota franchisee, and that at least 20 Dunkin' Donuts stores would be opening in Hennepin and Carver counties. But, as of last week, Dunkin' Donuts' entry into the Minnesota market was "up in the air," said spokeswoman Jenna Kantrowitz.

Scratch Lafayette Country Club from Denny Hecker's list of social outlets.

The fallen auto dealer is no longer a member of the Lake Minnetonka golf club. His membership ended in May, said club president Michelle Winer.

Last week, an attorney for the court-appointed trustee indicated Hecker was still an active member at the club.

In any case, the trustee still wants to know who was paying for Hecker's membership at the Lafayette Club, as well as two other country clubs, since Jan. 1.

Best Buy's Geek Squad is teaming up with Ford Transit Connect and Ford E-Series to enhance its vehicle fleet with a more fuel- and size-efficient line of vans for delivering, installing and servicing home appliances and theater systems. The vans are smaller and lighter than the vans currently in use. The new vehicles, with the existing Geek Squad logo, will start appearing on the street this week.

The iconic Geek Squad Volkswagen Beetle remains part of the fleet as well for use by "agents" who provide in-home computer support.

Surdyk's, the long-established northeast Minneapolis purveyor of fine wines and fine foods, has opened a shop at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport called Surdyk's Flights. Located in Terminal 1 (the Lindbergh Terminal) the wine market and bar offers wine by the glass and bottle as well as gourmet snacks ranging from cheeses and deli meats to baguette sandwiches. The store will also ship wine by the case. Surdyk's is the first of its kind in the terminal and is designed "to provide a sense of place" to travelers who only know Minnesota as a stop for a connecting flight, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

The Minneapolis ad agency Olson has been selected as the agency of record by Discover Boating, the marketing campaign for the recreational boating industry in the United States and Canada. It's a $10 million to $15 million account and is the first win under the newly merged Olsondenali umbrella, which includes a loyalty segment along with other advertising and marketing functions. The account was once held by Carmichael Lynch but has been in limbo for the past year or so.

Fury Motors, the Lake Elmo car dealership that took on Chrysler and won when the troubled auto manufacturer tried to take away its affiliation, officially rejoined the Chrysler family over the weekend. Fury Motors had a "re-grand opening" and uncovered the Chrysler sign. The sign had been covered with a smiley face during the dispute, which was resolved in June.

Medtronic Inc. of Fridley has pledged $100,000 through its foundation to support flooding relief efforts in Pakistan. The funds will be directed to the American Refugee Committee to support mobile health teams working in the affected regions. Medtronic employees worldwide also are offered five days of paid leave to assist in relief efforts.

The donation is in addition to an existing five-year, $500,000 grant to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies disaster relief fund, which ensures that immediate financial support is available for responding to emergencies.

DAVID PHELPS, JANET MOORE, JACKIE CROSBY, STEVE ALEXANDER