Washington County business briefs

A new hybrid urgent/emergency medical care facility opened its doors last week.

The Urgency Room on Valley Creek Road is operated by Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA), which staffs emergency departments in six other area hospitals.

The center will compete directly with the HealthEast Woodwind emergency room, as well as a number of urgent care providers already operating in Woodbury.

"Patients need to have more choices," said Dr. Gary Gosewisch, emergency physician and CEO of EPPA and the Urgency Room. "All you have is urgent care, a wide gap, and then you have hospitals and the ER."

The Urgency Room is not connected to a hospital, and is targeting the patients who are normally treated and released from the emergency room.

O'Malley's gets patio liquor salesO'Malley's Irish Pub will now able to serve alcohol on its outdoor patio at the City Centre shopping center on Radio Drive.

The City Council approved an amendment to the restaurant's liquor license at its last meeting.

The 39-unit project is the final piece of the Red Oak Preserve housing redevelopment that included Habitat for Humanity townhomes, market-price single-family homes and community land trust senior homes.

The property, off 50th Street and Interstate 694, was formerly the Whispering Oaks Manufactured Home Park. The senior apartments are expected to be completed in spring 2011.

New sub restaurant celebrates openingThe city hosted a grand opening celebration Friday at the new Blink Bonnie Subs, 8800 E. Point Douglas Road in Cottage Grove.

The sub shop opened in mid-September, and owner Bill Bryan expects to have about three employees. The chain also has locations in Elk River, Rogers, White Bear Township and St. Paul.