Biz briefs: Throwbacks reopens as Woody's Roadhouse

Revamped and renamed, the former Throwbacks Grille & Bar in Woodbury reopened last week as a family-oriented restaurant known as Woody's Roadhouse.

The restaurant at 1690 Woodland Drive will serve hand-cut steaks, rotisserie chicken, barbecue ribs, skewers, burgers and salads in an atmosphere that resembles a restaurant instead of a bar, said general manager David Harvey.

Along with happy hours that feature $3 to $5 appetizers, Woody's also will offer $4.95 hamburgers all day on Wednesdays, and 75 beers, including 26 drafts and 22 crafts. Entrees will range from $8 to $20.

With its new decor and focus on service and "competitively priced food," Woody's will expand its staff from 30 employees to about 75, Harvey said.

Woody's will have a kid's room with game system. And it has not rooted out all remnants of Throwbacks -- it will still offer live music on Fridays and Saturdays, Harvey said.

Xcel Energy will build new training centerXcel Energy will break ground early next month on a 20,000-square-foot training center in the Bald Eagle Industrial Park.

The center will contain labs and classrooms to train apprentices and journeymen in the areas of substation electric distribution and gas distribution.

A second 20,000-square-foot building will be built in 2013 on a 10-acre parcel at 13676 Fenway Av. N., Hoen said.

New sleep store opens on Hudson RoadThe specialty bedding giant Mattress Firm has opened a store at 9220 Hudson Road. The store sells mattresses by Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Tempur-Pedic, Simmons, Serta and other manufacturers, along with pillows, bed frames and other accessories.

Woodbury is one of 15 Mattress Firm outlets in Minnesota.

Produce company expands operationMaglio & Co. is expected to complete improvements at its new Oakdale tomato processing and distribution center by early next month, company officials said. The Milwaukee-based firm bought a 25,000-square foot building at 7435 N. 4th St., earlier this year.

Company president Sam Maglio said the additions include a new ripening room, holding cooler and refrigerated packaging area, along with a climate-controlled tomato repacking area. The building, which it shares with Country Hearth Bread, also will allow the company to add several product lines.

TIM HARLOW