Mark Jones/MDN Starbucks recently moved to 1340 South Broadway from its old location on Burdick Expressway near the Minot Municipal Auditorium.

A drive along Broadway in Minot in either direction, and you can see the variety of companies doing business in the community.

According to John MacMartin, president of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce, businesses in that part of town are holding their own.

“Businesses on Broadway, I see less help wanted signs,” he said.

Business on Broadway also continues to grow.

In the last month or so, two different companies have either found a new location on Broadway or moved from a different location in Minot on to Broadway.

Pizza Hut, which has had multiple restaurants in the city for several years, closed down one location and moved up just a block to a new location on South Broadway.

“I can only surmise that (they are focusing on) take out and delivery,” MacMartin said. “And doing away with the restaurant. You’ve got a lot less people, if you are trying to run a restaurant. Their (business) model may be changing.”

Pizza Hut, which also has a restaurant on North Hill across from the airport, also had a third location near Dakota Square Mall close down.

MacMartin wasn’t sure if that closure had anything to do with the new opening on Broadway, but offered the following.

“All that land belongs to the mall,” he said.

MacMartin did say Pizza Hut has had problems maintaining a full staff.

“Finding employees has been an ongoing problem for them,” he said. “And the money wasn’t there.”

In addition to the new Pizza Hut location, Starbucks moved to 1340 South Broadway from its previous location on Burdick Expressway near the Minot Municipal Auditorium.

And while the old Starbucks location was likely a problem for motorists to navigate, MacMartin suggests the move was for another reason.

“Rent was changing enough for them,” he said, “that they decided to go get a new place.”

The new location for Starbucks allows the business to offer the same menu items as before, but at a cheaper business cost, and perhaps from a better location.

So are there any other business planning to make a move to Broadway?

“Not that I have heard,” MacMartin said. “But that doesn’t mean there isn’t. There are a number of people out there recruiting for these strip malls.”

MacMartin says the Chamber of Commerce will provide assistance to potential businesses, if asked.

“We will certainly provide information to people,” he said. “But we don’t go out and do active recruiting.”

And while businesses, overall are doing well, along Broadway, there are some that still have concerns.

Construction began March 20 on the U.S. 83/Broadway Bridge near downtown. The project, which will last through the fall of 2018, has some business owners worried.

“I’m sure some of the businesses (in the construction area) will have some concern once First Street closes down,” MacMartin said.

He did say, however, that the construction must keep a path to the businesses open for the public.

“They won’t be completely cut off,” he said.