Bizbeat: South St. Paul's Waterous is marking its 125th anniversary

Local fire suppression manufacturer Waterous turned 125 this year, making it one of only 20 companies in the country that have been in business for so long.

Waterous has been in South St. Paul since it created the first horse-drawn fire engine in 1886.

"Our company has proudly served the fire protection industry and the Twin Cities area for 125 years, and we're proud to continue providing superior products and service from a position of strength, reliability, innovation and momentum," said Bill Smith, Waterous president and CEO, in a statement.

The company was founded by Charles H. Waterous as the Waterous Engine Works Company of Minnesota.

One of several hurdles that the company had to survive throughout its history was ironically when the plant caught on fire in 1894.

But the experience helped the company in terms of developing firefighting equipment. Seeing the problem with steam-powered pumpers, which took a long time to make enough steam, Waterous developed the first gasoline-driven fire pump in 1898.

The fire at the company's plant and other nuggets of history have been compiled into a book.

Massage Elements heads to Mendota Heights

Another tenant is coming to the renovated Mendota Plaza in Mendota Heights.

Massage Elements will add a 1,310-square-foot health and wellness center to the plaza next month.

Massage Elements is a massage service provider.

The shop is expected to open July 11.

Last week, the Lilydale Planning Commission reviewed the final development plans for the replacement of the old Lilydale Tennis and Fitness Club.

The club, off Sibley Highway, is targeted for demolition to make way for a senior living complex and luxury apartments. It has been closed since 2006.

The proposed new development would equal about 170 units and be a mix of memory care, assisted living and independent living units for seniors as well as a luxury apartment building.

The demolition of the tennis club is set to start this week. Construction of the senior living building is scheduled to begin near September. The earliest construction would start on the apartment complex would be spring of next year.