A family-owned Colorado pizza chain with a focus on healthful ingredients and environmental stewardship is moving into the 2520 W. Main St. space formerly occupied by Khoury's Mediterranean Cuisine and,before that, Schlotzsky's deli.
BeauJo's Pizza may be open by the first of the year, said owner Chris Baer, who worked for the company managing restaurants for 20 years in Colorado before moving here with her husband after a 2003 vacation to the Hills.
"I love the fact that we're very eco-friendly, we're very community-friendly and very employee-friendly as well," she said.
The restaurant features "prairie pies" and "mountain pies" - regular and deep-dish versions of their pizzas, in sizes by the pound. They have a variety of ingredients and even offer gluten-free pizza choices, along with a fresh salad bar and choices of pastas, sandwiches and calzones.
Company vice president John Grapel said they weren't planning to expand to South Dakota but that Baer has been one of the chain's best managers.
Big eaters will look forward to the chain's challenge: If two people can eat a 13-pound pizza in an hour, they get the pizza for free plus $100. That pizza has three pounds of meat and 40 ounces of mozzarella alone, so good luck.
People interested in working at the restaurant should apply through the Web site, www.beaujos.com.
Elks Crossing cuts ribbon
Dream Design International and Zandstra Construction cut the ribbon Monday on the Elks Crossing commercial and residential development east of Elk Vale Road at Minnesota Street.
The project will have 135 mid-priced single-family homes, 240 higher-end apartments and 25 to 30 acres of commercial development, possibly including a grocery store and church, developer Hani Shafai said.
He said while he expects it will take longer to sell the homes than it would have two years ago, the local housing market and interest in the properties are picking up.
Construction is finished on a new stretch of road through the development, Marlin Drive, that resolves an access issue some nearby residents had for years, Shafai said. To get to Rapid City Regional Hospital, they had to go north on Jolly Lane to Highway 44, then south on Elk Vale Road, or take a dirt road and do a risky U-turn on Elk Vale. Now they will have direct access to Elk Vale at an intersection with a stop light.
Therapy program includes horses
Therapist Shari Bradstream, formerly of the City/County Alcohol and Drug Programs, has opened the HorsePlay Productions Healing Center, a mental health counseling center that allows clients the opportunity for equine-assisted psychotherapy, or using horses to help work through emotional issues, Bradstream said.
Clients may be individuals who seek therapy, people on probation who are court-mandated to have therapy or groups of co-workers looking for a different sort of training inservice.
Bradstream offers group and individual therapy sessions and case management services in the office at 1101 E. Philadelphia St. The equine sessions are at Schrempp's Ranch north of Box Elder.
"It's wonderful to see clients work with the horses, and a little light goes on in their head," Bradstream said. The horses can help people work through abandonment and anger management issues, she said.
"The horse is a mirror to those deep feelings that really haven't been dealt with," she said.
For information, call 877-343-1620 or e-mail hpphc@qwestoffice.net.
Talking Business appears Fridays in the Business section. To submit an item or ask a question, send an e-mail to rcybusiness@rapidcityjournal.com
