Daniel & Elisha Gustafson Listings:
Steepleview Farm, Delano: $7,000,000
Swanson new construction, Tonka: $2,464,000
One level living in Shorewood: $750,000
2430 Jewel Lane in Plymouth: PENDING!
1.3 acre lot in Minnetonka: $399,000
Buyer needs: Lakeshore, condos, townhomes, homes.
Buy or sell – (952) 473-1000
Wayzata Real Estate | Homes in Wayzata Schools
The city Christmas tree glows along Lake Street in the deep cold, its lights shimmering against a still Wayzata Bay after a night that fell to 10 below. At 12 below zero this morning, the air is sharp and quiet, with Ferndale’s dark, snow-covered shoreline standing firm across the bay—winter holding the lake and the town in a crystalline pause.
Wayzata is gearing up for a weekend of fun, fitness, and festive fall traditions with the highly anticipated Boo Bash Dash, happening this Saturday. Organized with the perfect blend of community spirit and seasonal charm, this family-friendly event promises to offer something for everyone—runners and revelers alike.
The event will feature four race categories for participants of all skill levels, all taking place on certified courses. Whether you’re looking to take a leisurely jog or set a personal best, the Boo Bash Dash has you covered with the following race options:
In addition to the races, the Boo Bash Dash will host a Pumpkin Derby—a fan-favorite event where decorated pumpkins roll their way to victory—and a crowd-pleasing Pie Eating Contest for those who prefer a more relaxed form of competition. All of these activities will take place primarily in the Promenade area near The Hotel Landing, creating a hub of excitement and camaraderie.
The race courses will wind through some of Wayzata’s most scenic streets, including Lake Street, portions of the Luce Line Trail, and into the charming Highland neighborhoods. The entire event runs from 9 a.m. to noon, but participants are encouraged to pick up their packets early on Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Families are invited to show off their creativity with a costume contest. Whether you’re a spooky ghost, a favorite superhero, or something entirely original, the Boo Bash Dash is the perfect time to dress up and join the fun.
As part of the broader Boo Bash celebration, Wayzata’s businesses will open their doors for trick-or-treating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Look for participating shops marked with festive posters, and don’t forget to stop by Lunds & Byerlys, which will be hosting its own event complete with free hot dogs and photo opportunities.
With pleasant weather on the horizon, the Boo Bash Dash is expected to draw a large turnout. Whether you’re there to race, eat pie, or collect candy, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this special day in Wayzata. Registration is still open and will remain available until 20 minutes before each race on the day of the event.
For more information on the race and trick-or-treating details, visit the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce website. Get ready to lace up your running shoes, don your favorite costume, and enjoy a fall day filled with fun!
Wayzata State Bank, founded in 1947, was a cornerstone of Wayzata’s growth, serving the local community with trusted financial services including savings accounts, loans, and mortgages. Established to support the burgeoning suburb along Lake Minnetonka, the bank became deeply ingrained in the local economy, fostering close relationships with its customers and contributing to Wayzata’s development.
Housed in a distinct building, Wayzata State Bank was a recognizable landmark in downtown Wayzata, symbolizing both stability and local heritage. Although the bank eventually merged with a larger financial institution in the late 20th century, its legacy lives on as part of the rich financial and social history of Wayzata.
When developer Lowell Zitzloff redeveloped the original Wayzata State Bank property in recent years, he paid tribute to this legacy by incorporating a modern version of the bank’s historic facade into his new design, recognizing Wayzata’s rich history and traditions.
This thoughtful integration of old and new earned Zitzloff a Heritage Preservation Board award, celebrating his commitment to preserving Wayzata’s historical character while modernizing the space. The original site remains a point of interest for historians and continues to tell the story of Wayzata’s evolution as a vibrant lakeside city.
A new restaurant called Puralima Cantina is set to occupy a storefront located at 740 Lake Street.
Wayzata residents and regulars will remember the location as the former home of Stalk & Spade in recent years, and before that, as the Wayzata Starbucks before it relocated to Wayzata Boulevard.
Founded by entrepreneur Steele Smiley, the establishment will offer a unique dining experience with a focus on customizable tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads, aiming to bring a fresh perspective to Mexican cuisine in Wayzata.
Steele Smiley is known for franchise ventures like the Crisp & Green restaurant franchise.
According to the information made available, Puralima Cantina will emphasize a commitment to crafting authentic, scratch-made dishes using traditional culinary methods.
The menu encourages patrons to assemble their own dishes from a range of authentically prepared ingredients, ensuring a dedication to quality and flavor.
Guests who visit will find an interior adorned with vibrant pieces by local and international artists.
The art, featuring portraits of change makers, columns with lively patterns, and handwoven bracelets, aims to create an atmosphere that goes beyond culinary delight.
“The use of yarn and thread in our art pieces is symbolic of our appreciation for shared beauty, connections that enhance our world, and our desire for more,” state the Puralima website.
As Wayzata welcomes this new addition, locals and visitors alike will soon be able to explore the distinctive offerings of Puralima Cantina.
Watch for other locations to open in Edina and Maple Grove this year.
All Aboard! Lake Minnetonka’s Largest 3-day Festival Moving Full Steam Ahead!
The whistle’s blowing and the 47th Annual James J. Hill Days is just around the bend, coming September 9, 10 & 11 to the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata.
The proud residents, businesses and community of this small town will roll out the welcome mat for 75,000 guests over three jam-packed days of exciting events.
From Engine to Caboose, There’s Something For Everyone!
Friday, September 9th, 2022
We kick off the weekend with LIVE MUSIC & STREET DANCE featuring Viva Knievel from 6 – 10 pm. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes, grab a beverage from the Beer + Wine Tent and tell your friends to meet you at the Sandvold Stage off of Minnetonka/Lake St.! Our live music line-up is one to celebrate.
For the BEER LOVERS, get your tickets to RAILS & ALES CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL. This year’s line-up is stacked! Enjoy unlimited samples from 20 breweries, live music by the Billboard-charting Avey Grouws Band, and some casual games to wind down from the week (5-9 PM).
Step Right Up! The Lake Minnetonka CARNIVAL (5-10 pm) will be in full force with ride after ride offering fun for all ages. Purchase presale discounted tickets at Lunds & Byerlys Wayzata. Also available at the gate.
You can test out your LOGROLLING skills throughout the weekend starting Friday (5 – 9 pm) and into Saturday (10 – 7 pm), and Sunday (10 – 4 pm). Experienced rollers will provide instruction and encouragement to any interested participant. Check it out!
Be sure to check out the full line-up of activities added to the weekend including the outdoor NIGHT MARKET. Shop local vendors (5-9 PM), enjoy food trucks along Lake Street under the twinkling lights. A perfect end to summer.
Saturday, September 10th, 2022
Find that special something as you SHOP 150+ VENDORS (10 am–7 pm) at the open air street market. Sip and stroll from 20 food trucks, beer + wine tents, or grab a fresh lemonade as the CARNIVAL continues all day Saturday (10 am–10 pm).
Attention dog lovers, this one’s for you! Grab a hot dog and watch wiener dogs race, jump hurdles and dress up in costume at the ever-popular DACHSHUND RACES (12 pm). BYOD (Bring Your Own Dog) and get ready for your close-up as you pose for pictures with your pup in the DOGGY KISSING BOOTH (10 am).
New puppy or want to brush up your dog’s training? Drop-in to an ONSITE OBEDIENCE CLASS (9:30 am). Enjoy pupperific treats and register to win pup-tastic prizes from our sponsors (10 am – 2 pm). If cute animals are your thing, make sure to stop by our Lovin’ Llama Experience to take selfies and share hugs with the Llama Squad (12 pm – 4 pm).
SHOCKWAVES WATER SKI SHOW team will bring the fun on Saturday (3 pm – 4 pm) on Wayzata Bay. The Shockwaves’ performers do pyramids, ballet, barefooting, jumping, and more. You won’t want to miss their show!
Take a break from all the activities and enjoy incredible FREE LIVE MUSIC, dancing and fireworks! The Sandvold Stage will feature local band favorites including – Stereo Kitchen, Pandora’s Other Box, Powertap, Sam Graber, and Wayzata Symphony Orchestra (10 am-10 pm).
Bring the kids to the Great Lawn to catch a MOVIE ON THE LAWN (7:30 pm) hosted by Wayzata Sailing. Enjoy the sweet story of Disney Pixar’s ‘Luca’ and stick around for the WAYZATA BAY FIREWORKS (8:45 pm) bursting over Wayzata Bay in celebration of all the fun.
Sunday, September 11th, 2022
If you haven’t noticed, it’s all about the dogs in Wayzata. So, you and your pup are challenged to join the DOGGY OLYMPICS! Bring your pup and participate in a series of engaging games that will show off your pup’s skills and earn the winners pup-tastic prizes (12 pm – 2 pm). Is your doggo the adventurous type? Try PADDLEBOARDING WITH YOUR DOG (11 am – 1 pm). Get some quality time at the MEET & GREET WITH WAYZATA K9 OFFICER LOKI (11:30 am – 12 pm).
September 11, 2022 marks the 21st Anniversary of 9/11. We invite you to spend time at the 9.11 MEMORIAL on the Panoway throughout the day. The space offers community members a place to remember and reflect. The 9/11 memorial honors our community members lost and the lives of all victims of the Sept. 11th attacks.
Other activities special to Sunday, include the T-6 THUNDER AIRSHOW a fascinating display of WWII planes swiftly flying over Lake Street and Wayzata Bay (2:45 pm).
The same afternoon features the hometown PARADE (3 pm). Special thanks to all the sponsors who keep this event on the tracks. We will see you at James J. Hill Days!
MAJOR SPONSORS: Sandvold Financial Group, RE/MAX Results, BNSF Railway, Lunds & Byerlys Wayzata, Youngstedts, River Valley Power & Sport, 6Smith, Polaris Adventures, Icon Aircraft, THN Enterprises
SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Guaranteed Rate – Chris Carr Team, Ulrich Real Estate/Regency Homes, Colonial Square/Regency Centers, Maison Realty Group, JomsVikings, Northwestern Mutual, The International School of Minnesota, The Brost Clinic, Renewal by Andersen, Mediacom, Wings Financial Credit Union, New Spaces Design-Build-Remodel, Coldwell Banker Realty, Maveriiick Lead Generation, Trails of Orono.
Visit JamesJHillDays.com for details, tickets, and more information.
All activities located on/near Lake Street, Downtown Wayzata.
Wayzata residents and visitors were treated to heavy rains, gusting winds and lightning on Saturday evening around 9pm. Other parts of the metro such as Lakeville were under Tornado Warnings for a short period of time.
Watch the video below for our man (and daughter) on the street impressions of the storm. Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for more news, weather and sports!
The council approved the design of the Panoway boardwalk, docks and Section Foreman House renovation by a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.
Phase 2a and 2b of the project will now move for the construction design step in the process. This is where city staff and its consultants will fine tune the details of the project, including a cost estimate, before putting the project out to bid.
Jessica Houlihan, founder of development consulting firm Onyx Strategic Partners, outlined the timeline of what is to come. Her expectation is construction design will be finished to return in front of council by December. Once the designs are approved, the project will go out to bid. After a contractor is chosen, construction could begin as soon as March 2023.
“We walked all the way through the schedule with one firm and it’s about a six month project,” Houlihan said. “We should be done in the fall.”
Phase 2a, the boardwalk and shoreline, carries a $6.78 million budget while the docks are estimated at $770,000. The budget for the Section Foreman House, Phase 2b, is $1.27 million.
The city has secured $4 million in bond funding for the project. It will draw an estimated $2.62 million from tax increment financing and the remaining portion is slated to come from private or ‘other’ sources. The Wayzata Conservancy has pledged funding for the Section Foreman House, which it is currently fundraising for, as well.
“What we’ve done is plan for the maintenance and operations for 10 years,” said city manager Jeff Dahl. “The Wayzata Conservancy, to decrease the burden on the city, have agreed to fund maintenance and operations for the remainder of the project so taxpayers of Wayzata won’t be burdened with that.”
According to community development director Emily Goellner, the conservancy has raised about $250,000 for the Section Foreman House and will also pay for construction design plans for that part of the project.
Councilor Cathy Iverson was the lone council member to vote against approving the design.
“Can we feel confident telling the residents this will not be a tax burden,” Iverson said. “I have a lot of concerns about how it’s going to be paid for.”
Mayor Johanna Mouton noted a better picture of the costs will not come until after construction design is completed. Councilor Alex Plechash said he also had reservations about the funding, but not enough for him to vote against the design. The mayor and other members of the council said they were comfortable with the funding sources.
“We’ve been steadfast that we would not levy the taxpayers of Wayzata to pay for this,” Mouton said. “We have not done so.”
Baja Haus outdoor patio approved
The council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a seasonal outdoor patio at Baja Haus, 830 E. Lake Street.
Applicant and co-owner Josh Friedt said his restaurant’s temporary outdoor patio was helpful for his business during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020-21.
“To me it was a huge success,” Friedt said. “I don’t want to say it saved my business but it was definitely a big help.”
The request was to use four parking spaces outside of the restaurant for a temporary pergola. Inside it would fit eight tables seating four each. The patio would be used from May to October. When not in use, the space would be opened back up for parking.
“The people I spoke to that used the outdoor patio during the pandemic really loved it,” Iverson said. “I only heard positive things from the community.”
Former Wayzata Texaco Site
The council also approved a lot combination, comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning of two parcels at 1022 E. Wayzata Blvd.
These parcels were discussed for development in front of the council in April with the proposal of adding a drive thru coffee business. The property is home to a gas station which is no longer in use. To the south, there is a small residential parcel which is considered difficult to develop because of its size and location.
The rezoning of the property changes the newly combined parcel to a C-3 property for retail use.
The planning commission unanimously recommended approval and the council voted 4-1 in favor.
Potential third time development plans fail
The Wayzata Planning Commission recommended city staff to draft a denial of a proposed redevelopment concept for the TCF headquarters property on Lake Street on Monday.
This is the third time Lakewest Development has come before the commission to present plans for redeveloping the property at 200 E. Lake Street. In 2020, it presented plans to convert the existing TCF Bank into condominiums and construct new residential buildings.
In 2021, it returned to the commission with a plan to demolish the TCF building and construct two new residential buildings.After the previous two denials, the developer took feedback from the commission as well as the public through a neighborhood meeting in January.
The new plan discussed Monday included an underground mechanical parking system, 32 condominiums and retail space. There would also be pocket parks on the property, and 25-foot facade breaks every 150 feet. The development would include two buildings, referred to as east and west buildings or ‘building A’ and ‘building B’.
Approval of the plan would have required a zoning amendment to the existing planned urban development to create a new PUD district, design standards deviations and a shoreland impact plan study.Consultant Eric Zweber said 66-percent of the parking under the east building is beneath groundwater elevation, as well as 17-percent of the west building’s parking.
More than 100 pages of public comments were received, with many of them noting concern over tearing down the TCF building, losing views of the lake, the proximity of the redevelopment near the BNSF railroad tracks and increases in traffic. There was also a petition which received more than 400 signatures from residents and 1100 signatures in total in about a week opposing the development plans.
Curt Fretham, chief manager of Lakewest Development, said his development team has tried to be creative to meet requirements in the city’s design standards and comprehensive plan.
“We did that,” Fretham said of a number of changes his team was asked to make. “You asked us in initial meetings to reduce mass, provide more open space. You asked us in other words to make it smaller. You also asked us to increase density or in other words, make it bigger. We’ve been asked to do a lot of things. And we have been accepting and approving of those asks. All we really want to do is use our property in a reasonable manner.”
The applicant had several consultants discuss the concept further, addressing how the mechanical parking system works, the traffic impact of the new residential and commercial space and the architectural design.
“We’re frankly surprised, given all the consultants they brought tonight, they did not do a railroad study,” said Kendra Lindahl during the public forum. “It’s not that it could happen. It has happened.”
Lindahl referenced a train derailment which struck another site along the railroad corridor, though commissioner Peggy Douglas corrected that it did not happen on the site in question. The south side of the property is marked by the railroad tracks about 25-feet from the proposed building.
Lindahl asked what value this development would bring to the city, which Brad Hoyt echoed. Hoyt is the owner of Ventana Apartments.
“This building is only 35 years old. It’s not even depreciated yet,” he said. “My view is the project is already reasonably developed and should remain in its state.”
Lindsay Bashioum, who previously served on the planning commission, said the commission got it right the first two times it denied development plans.
“There’s no public benefit that isn’t already there,” Bashioum said.
The commission thanked the applicant for coming forward with a new concept for a third time, remarking on some of the things they liked about the new plans. They also said many of their concerns remain.
“This does not depict the charm of a lakeside community,” Douglas said. “I’m worried about the precedent for future development.”
“I think it’s too big to be charming,” Commissioner Jeff Parkhill added.
Commissioner Ken Sorenson motioned to direct staff to draft a denial of application. Commissioner Jennifer Severson seconded and the commission voted unanimously in favor of denial.
The property is listed with Cushman & Wakefield.
In an announcement made by the staff, the Starbucks located on Lake Street in Wayzata is set to permanently close its doors on Friday, October 23.
There were no details given as to why the store is closing.
Despite the impending closure, no specific reasons have been provided by the management regarding the decision to shut down the popular coffee spot.
This particular Starbucks branch gained attention in late August when it temporarily closed its doors after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The closure was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of both customers and staff.
Starbucks did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
Meanwhile, a petition has surfaced on the store’s bulletin board, initiated by patrons and community members who aim to save the beloved Starbucks from permanent closure.
The petition highlights the significance of the coffee shop in the local community and calls for reconsideration of the closure.
As of now, it there has not been a response from Starbucks to the petition.
The closure date, October 23, is fast approaching, leaving customers and the community with limited time to savor their favorite beverages and bid farewell to this iconic Starbucks location.
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