Bill Hargis joins housing firm

Bill Hargis, the former mayor of Woodbury, has joined Growth Resource Partners, LLC, a Minneapolis firm specializing in senior housing.

Hargis' new job will involve merger and acquisition consulting, development counsel and direct commercial real estate brokerage services for multiple types of senior housing initiatives and other commercial real estate.

Hargis, both an attorney and accountant by training, had been mayor of Woodbury for 18 years until stepping down at the end of 2010. Before becoming mayor and pursuing a commercial real estate business, Hargis led Good Neighbor Care Centers, the largest nursing home organization in Minnesota with 29 centers at its peak.

Hargis joins partners Lynn Hauger, a former mayor of Watertown, Minn., and Bruce Farrington, a former chief financial officer of Volunteers of America Health Services. Hargis said he will avoid projects in Woodbury to avoid any appearance of conflicts.

"I am very excited to return to the senior housing arena," Hargis said. "This is an area where I feel I can make a positive difference, especially now when senior housing faces somewhat of a crisis."

Many nursing homes are in need of rehabilitation, and the aging population is creating demand for new options in retirement living.

New salon to open at Tamarack HillsA new salon is poised to open in the Tamarack Hills center in Woodbury.

Proprietors Kristin Halseth and David Kleingartner said Salon 755 will offer haircuts, facials, pedicures and other basic salon services in the space formerly occupied by Kowalski's Wine Market at Bielenberg Road and Tamarack Drive.

The coffeeshop-style atmosphere will include leather couches and a living-room feel waiting area. "It's nothing fancy; we're just a rock-solid mom and pop shop," said Halseth, a cosmetologist.

Halseth, who will run Salon 755 with her husband, Kleingartner, who is a former pharmacist, plans to have seven employees by the time the shop opens in "two to three weeks," she said.

Aperitif is closed; future uncertainThe Aperitif Restaurant and Bar is out of business. The eatery near the Sheraton St. Paul Woodbury Hotel served its last meal on Feb. 26 and officially shut down Monday, said Patrick Short, the hotel's general manager.

Short said the closing was made by the restaurant's ownership team, JLT Group Inc., and unrelated to a federal fraud investigation involving JLT. Calls to JLT seeking comment were referred to the Sheraton.

Employees will be paid, Short said.

Aperitif opened in January 2010 at 676 Bielenberg Dr. and served Mediterranean cuisine. Short said he was unsure if the restaurant would reopen, but believes that is the goal. The hotel will remain open.

Chamber to award two $5,000 scholarshipsThe White Bear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will accept applications through March 31 from high school students or students currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution for two $5,000 scholarships it will award this spring.

To be eligible, applicants must be employed by, or have a parent or guardian who is employed by, a chamber member.

Applicants will be selected based on academic achievement, community involvement and demonstrated leadership qualities.

In addition to the application form available at www.whitebear chamber.com, students must also submit a current transcript and an essay that includes information about personal, professional and educational career goals, along with evidence of leadership qualities and community involvement.

For information, call 651-429-8593 or send an e-mail to info@whitebearchamber.com.

TIM HARLOW,

JIM ANDERSON