Idled paper mill sold in Rapids, Biron mill cuts jobs, The Big Garlic reopens and more

Happy Tuesday and welcome to the Streetwise newsletter!

A couple of weeks ago, I reported breaking news that Billerud would sell its idled paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids. The Sweden-based company will keep and continue to operate its Wisconsin Rapids converting facility and the 130 employees at that site will continue working there. The idled mill and related assets will be sold to Capital Recovery Group, and that transaction is expected to close in April.

For those of you looking for more on what's happened with the paper mill since Verso idled it in 2020, I also wrote an article that reviews what we know about the sale and what comes next, what we don't know yet and how we got here. I also talked with city leaders to get their initial thoughts and how optimistic they are about this sale.

In further paper mill industry news in the Wisconsin Rapids area, ND Paper cut about 70 jobs at its paper mill in Biron. A company representative told me ND Paper is consolidating its equipment to one of its machines, and the other machine will be taking market-related downtime, resulting in the layoffs. The representative also told me the company doesn't anticipate the recent changes to affect its future in Biron.

I've continued to get updates on other developments and openings. A Marshalls spokesperson told me the company will open its Wisconsin Rapids store in April. Stay tuned for an opening date soon. A Hobby Lobby spokesperson told me the company estimates to open its new Stevens Point store in early May.

Many people in Wisconsin Rapids have been asking about the Herschleb's ice cream cone after the iconic sign had been taken down a few weeks ago. I talked with the vice president of Rapids Sheet Metal, who told me it's in storage for the time being.

I recently shared some business updates in Stevens Point, including construction starting at Starry Night Cat Café, BowWow Meow Boutique's new partnership with Rolling Paws Pet Care, Wicked Willow's extended dinner hours and Knowlton House Distillery's awards at a tasting competition.

DigiCOPY, based in Stevens Point, is transitioning to an employee-owned company. The business also has locations in Wausau, Green Bay, Milwaukee, La Crosse and Eau Claire.

And if you've missed your favorite garlic dishes at The Big Garlic in Stevens Point, you're in luck. The restaurant has reopened at its new location on Main Street. The Big Garlic closed in September after a fire at a building it shared with Galaxy Comics, Games & More on Clark Street. The owners found a new location and have spent the last few months renovating the space and adding some new dishes to its menu.

If you have any questions or tips for future stories, send them my way at cshuda@gannett.com. If you’re interested in my colleagues’ or my coverage, please consider subscribing to the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune or the Stevens Point Journal.

Who is Streetwise?

I’m Caitlin Shuda, the Streetwise reporter for the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and the Stevens Point Journal. If you’re interested in openings, closings, relocations, expansions and major developments, Streetwise has it covered.