Biz briefs: Fast-food pizza place soon to be serving in Stillwater

A new pizza joint that vows to cook and serve orders in 1 to 2 minutes is expected to open this month in downtown Stillwater, giving hungry people a second place to get food fast.

Stillwater is loaded with sit-down restaurants, but was lacking in places where people could get in and out quickly. That was a major reason why owner Paul Larson chose a space at 116 S. Main St. to open Quickfire Pizza

"There is only one place in [downtown] Stillwater that is not a sit-down restaurant and you leave a tip, and that is Dairy Queen," said Larson, who will operate the eatery with Ryan Lettner.

"People need a place to go to lunch. And there is solid foot traffic."

Like at Subway or Chipotle, customers will choose their ingredients and have their 9-inch personal thin-crust pizza assembled at the counter, then baked in a high-powered woodfire oven imported from Italy. By the time customers get their fountain drink, their order will be ready, Larson said.

The menu will include salads, appetizers and desserts at the outset, with wine and beer available once the city approves a liquor license. Most meals will cost $10 or less, Larson said. For information see www.quickfirepizza.com.

Hudson's Fashion Bug will be closed, too Cottage Grove lost its Fashion Bug store earlier this year, now the lone remaining outlet in the St. Croix Valley will close, too. Ascenat Retail Group announced the closure of 124 Fashion Bug stores nationwide, including the store in Hudson, Wis. That store is expected to close early next year, a company spokesperson said.

Employees held a garden party June 20 to mark the first day of summer and to kick off the growing season. They used scrap parts from throughout the company to make bird feeders, bird baths, flower pots, vegetable and flower planters, and a fence.

In addition to flowers, employees are growing pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, radishes, lettuce, zucchini, cantaloupe, arugula and squash. Proceeds from the harvest will be split among employees and a local food shelf, a company spokeswoman said.

TIM HARLOW