Trade Talk: Fargo handbag store goes online only

A downtown Fargo store that sold women's handbags has become an online business.

Laura Emmil, who operated Lauraz out of a space in the Black Building for nearly five years, said the store's closing is not a reflection on the downtown business climate.

"Downtown is great. It's a good culture to be in," said Emmil, adding she made the change to give herself more time to do other things such as improve her golf game.

Emmil said Lauraz was open just two days a month and she viewed the business as a sideline to her main job as an information technology professional.

In addition, she said a main provider of her bags, a company called Miche, is getting out of the retail sales business and concentrating on home-based parties and online sales.

Emmil said she will be doing home parties and Miche will be the only handbag brand she sells on her Web site at https://Lauraz.Miche.com .

Emmil can be reached at LaurazHandbags@yahoo.com .

Storage site open

Sheyenne Storage has opened a storage facility at 423 Christianson Drive in West Fargo, just off Interstate 94 and Sheyenne Street.

Coded access to the units is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Storage units range from 5 feet by 10 feet, up to 20 by 60 feet.

Gate access is computer-controlled and only current customers are allowed entrance. Video cameras monitor and record activity at key areas of the property.

For more information, call Sheyenne Storage at (701) 356-4283.

Ambassador roundup

The North Dakota CattleWomen is seeking youths to participate in the 2012 Beef Ambassador competition Sept. 28-29 at the Doublewood Inn, Fargo.

Beef ambassadors educate consumers about beef nutrition, food safety and stewardship practices used on farms and ranches. Contestants participate in mock media interviews and consumer promotion events and are evaluated for their knowledge and ability to educate others.

The contest has three age divisions: novice (ages 9-13), junior (ages 13-17) and senior (ages 17-20). The winner of the senior division will receive a $500 scholarship and can participate in the 2013 national contest.

For more information or to enter the contest, contact Kathy Tokach at kattokach@gmail.com or (701) 445-7390. Entries are due Sept. 1.

Water plant complete

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new water treatment plant in Valley City, N.D., will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The plant has undergone $20 million in improvements over the past 18 months. With the upgrades, it is now capable of providing 4 million gallons of drinking water per day to the 6,500 residents of Valley City.

The lead engineering firm on the project was Advance Engineering and Environmental Services.

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Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555. Dianna Baumann of The Forum newsroom contributed to this article.