TAD JOHNSON JOHN GESSNER JESSICA HARPER
UMore flips switch on turbine 2A Arts center loss higher than projected 5A Local MGM Liquors has new owners 5A
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE ##, 2009 NOVEMBER 3, 2011
VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 32, NUMBER 36
'DNRWD &RXQW\ 7ULEXQH Since 1884
B
U
S
I
N
E
S
S
w
e
e
k
Fireplace company heats up lion next year. “We’ve done really well our first two years,” he said. “This is the year we expect to take a step.”
Big Woods with storied roots looks to bust out in 2012
Learning from the best
by John Gessner DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
When a corporate downsizing claimed their jobs at the Heat-NGlo fireplace company in Lakeville, Rob Sloan and Ross Morrison didn’t miss a step. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience with the industry-leading company, the pair launched their own business, Big Woods Hearth Products in Burnsville. “We often laugh about it,” Sloan said. “We were pretty much in business about a half hour after we were let go. We knew what we wanted to do. We wanted to stay in the industry.” After launching in June 2009, the five-person company of Heat-N-Glo alumni is poised for a transformative 2012. The company has been profitable from the start, said Sloan, the vice president of sales and originator of many of the company’s product concepts. But with a dozen new products planned for rollout in the first quarter, Sloan said he’s confident that sales will top $1 mil-
Photo by John Gessner
Ross Morrison and Rob Sloan started Big Woods Hearth Products in Burnsville. They’re hoping for a big 2012 with their Stellar line of gas fireplaces.
Morrison and Sloan joined Heat-N-Glo in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The company was founded in Burnsville in 1975 by Dan Shimek and his late brother, Ron. Its 1987 introduction of the direct vent gas fireplace revolutionized the hearth industry, marking a changeover from wood-burning fireplaces to primarily gas-burning fireplaces. The gas vent innovation allowed installation of a fireplace in just about any location throughout a home. The company started with a manufacturing plant in Savage. Most of the manufacturing eventually moved to Lake City, but Heat-NGlo maintained offices in Savage until 1999, Sloan said. The company also had a retail store in Burnsville — now a Glowing Hearth and Home store owned by Ron Shimek’s son, Tim. Sloan and Morrison came into the hearth industry cold — Morrison from Quaker Oats and Sloan from Coca-Cola. “I, too, fell in love with the small company thing
l
y
INSIDE BIZ FORUM
Residents across Minnesota should become informed prior to voting on proposed school operating levy referendums. PHIL 4A KRINKIE FORUM
Job summit shows that Minnesota will need investment in education that will produce workers of the future. DON 4A HEINZMAN CAPITOL COMMERCE
Lakeville Sen. Dave Thompson says gambling revenue is not the way to pay for a new Vikings stadium. DAVE 5A THOMPSON THISWEEKEND
ANNIE YOUNG
Blind artist to be featured at the Eastview Community Foundation’s fourth annual Art Madness 24A
See Big Woods, Page 2A
&
!""'! !
$
General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Advertising 952-846-2011
Eagan’s Joe Senser’s closes after 13 years in business by Jessica Harper DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Joe Senser’s Restaurant and Sports Theater in Eagan closed suddenly on Oct. 30. Shades cover the windows of the dark restaurant at 3010 Eagandale Place
and a closed sign is taped to the doors. “We’re shocked and saddened by this,” said Gerry Goldfarb, manager of the Hampton Inn in Eagan. “It was a very popular location with our guests.” Joe Senser’s also provid-
ed room service for the hotel, which is located nearby. Its closure has left Hampton staff scrambling to find other options for its guests, Goldfarb said. “I’m hoping that the current owner of the land or the city of Eagan will find a
new restaurant to go there,” he said. The sports bar and grill opened in 1998 and was among four Twin Cities locations owned by former Vikings player Joe Senser. It is unclear whether employees will be absorbed
by the Bloomington, Plymouth and Roseville locations. Mike Hrudka, director of operations for Joe Senser’s, told the Star Tribune the bar closed due to the tough economy. He also noted the restaurant’s loca-
tion requires many turns to access its parking lot, according to the report. A sign on the building says gift cards can be redeemed at other Joe Senser locations. The closure follows See Senser’s, Page 23A