Dog owners who like to have their pets well groomed will soon have a new place to take them in Apple Valley.

The owners of Wishbone Pet Parlor are finishing up construction on their salon at 14722 Pennock Av. and expect it to open in early April, said Darla St. Martin, a partner in the business. The salon is next to the Ace Hardware store.

St. Martin said the salon will offer a variety of dog-grooming services for walk-in clients and scheduled appointments. The salon also will have four wash basins, and brushes and combs available for people who want to wash their own pets. "We want to provide a service for people who don't want to dirty up their homes," she said.

The new business also plans to offer in-home dog-care services and, on a limited basis, dog day care at the salon for very small dogs.

Building activity strong in Lakeville

Both residential and commercial construction showed healthy increases through the end of February in Lakeville, according to the most recent building permit report from the city.

Lakeville issued commercial and industrial permits with a total valuation of $4.7 million through the end of February, up from $1.8 million during the same period last year.

The city issued permits for 41 single-family homes through February with a total valuation of $13.1 million, compared with 26 single-family home permits valued at $7.8 million for the same period last year. There were five townhouse permits valued at $1.3 million through the end of February, up from two valued at $608,000 for the same period in 2012.

Acupuncture clinic in Mendota Heights

Bellacu, an acupuncture clinic, recently moved from the home of its founder and into new clinic space at 1200 Centre Pointe Curve in Mendota Heights. The business will celebrate the move April 18 with an open house that will feature free refreshments and acupuncture demonstraitons.

Owner Michelle McGlade earned her practioner's degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington. In addition to McGlade, the clinic has one other practioner and a registered nurse. The business offers treatments for pain, sleep and pregnancy-related issues, anxiety and depression. It also offers cosmetic acupuncture, which McGlade says stimulates circulation and the production of collagen and elastin in the face.

Commercial portfolio to be sold to resolve bankruptcy

Fourteen industrial and office buildings in Dakota County are about to hit the market as part of a larger sale of 26 properties resolving the 2011 bankruptcy of Twin Cities businessman Steve Hoyt.

Hoyt acquired the properties through an investment fund before the recession and sharp downturn in the commercial real estate market.

The portfolio, which includes 11 buildings in Burnsville and three in Eagan, will be marketed by the Twin Cities office of Colliers International.

Tim Prinsen, a Colliers senior vice president, said the properties haven't been priced yet. He said they will be priced individually although some may wind up being sold in package deals.

Please send your Dakota County business news to susan.feyder@startribune.com.