Tag: Wayzata Legion

The Changing Face Of Wayzata’s Business Community, 2020 A Year Of Transition

October 6th, 2020

If you haven’t noticed, 2020 has been an unusual year for a plethora of reasons.

COVID-19 has turned everything upside down and the economic downturn further complicated matters.

Through all of this Wayzata’s business community has been in transition.

Businesses have moved or are in the process of moving out. Likewise there are other businesses moving in.

Of course this has happened in Wayzata for decades.

But 2020 feels different.

Bellecour Restaurant is one of the prominent businesses to leave town. It will be replaced with an Italian restaurant. Bellecour’s owner said it was a combination of the pandemic and the economy that closed the restaurant.

Meridian Manor went out of business after dozens of residents contracted COVID-19.

On April 18, the Minnesota Department of Health Emergency COVID-19 task force directed Meridian Manor to transition all 59 residents to other providers after some residents and staff members contracted COVID-19. At least two of the residents died from the disease.

Initially when the pandemic hit last spring, restaurants and other businesses were not allowed to be open. Later on, take-out was an option. Eventually, they were able to open their doors with restrictions.

But these businesses weren’t out of the woods yet. Several food establishments were forced to close temporarily when either employees or customers had tested positive for COVID-19. These include: The Wayzata Bar & Grill (Muni), Bellecour, Starbucks on Lake Street, Walgreens and the Wayzata American Legion.

Meanwhile, Merilou Boutique closed its doors in late August. L’More Chocolat has closed its Lake Street shop and relocated to downtown Minneapolis.

Lulu & Luigi will soon be replaced by Pacifier.

But change in the Wayzata business community is not all about businesses leaving town.

Grocer’s Table opened its doors earlier this year at the corner of Lake and Broadway.

Additionally, change is brewing at the Promenade.

Ownership is working with the city to allow more types of businesses to sign leases. In general, it has been difficult to entice businesses to move to the Promenade. A closer evaluation of zoning rules may help.

Eventually, those “for lease” signs around town will be taken down as new businesses make Wayzata their home.

It will be interesting to see how the complexion of the Wayzata business community changes in the coming months and into 2021.
Commanding A Legacy: Buck Doran & The Wayzata Legion

August 30th, 2020

If you’ve stepped foot in the Wayzata American Legion, you probably know Buck Doran.

Wayzata American Legion Post 118 Commander Buck Doran

He’s the Commander of the Legion and has been for several years.

There was a bit of a buzz around Post 118 last week as Buck turned 75 years young.

The Legion is a tight-knit family and Buck is the patriarch.

Buck serving in the Navy

Buck enlisted in the Navy right after graduating from Wayzata High School in the early 60s.

He’s been a member of the Wayzata Legion for decades.

Buck was front and center last year as the Wayzata Legion celebrated 100 years in the community.

The Post originally held meetings above the city hall on the corner of Manitoba and Lake Street. The group began meeting at Hart’s Café in the 1940s. In 1948, the Post got its own building which still stands today. World War I vets had purchased a piece of land where Wayzata West Middle School is located. That land was traded for land along Wayzata Boulevard where the Legion stands today.

In a way, Buck is a bridge between the Legion’s past and its future. When he first got involved, World War II vets were the foundation.

Now he commands an organization that encourages more young people to join.

Fundraising is a big function of the Legion.

These campaigns allow the Post to make donations to local charities – toy drives, schools and hospitals all benefit from the Legion’s year-round fundraising efforts.

A charity that is near and dear to Buck’s heart is Hope Kids. Each June, the Legion teams up with the Lake Minnetonka Power Squadron and puts on a summer picnic on Big Island for kids with cancer or some other life-threatening medical condition.

The challenges of COVID-19 have put a stop to twice-a-week bingo at the Legion. Buck has called countless Saturday afternoon bingos. And if you’re lucky enough, you’ll hear him growl out “B-11” soon again.

Wayzata is filled with community members who give back and Buck is a prime example.

If you know a community member who goes above and beyond, email nate@wayzata.com.
Wayzata History: American Legion Post 118

May 24th, 2020

The Wayzata American Legion Post 118 is named after Ernest Aselton.

Wayzata American Legion Post 118, Wayzata

The Wayzata local joined the U.S. Marine Corps in August of 1918 and was killed in action in France during World War I.

Ernest Aselton, Photo Courtesy Wayzata American Legion

The Wayzata Legion was granted its charter on September 3, 1919. Arthur H. Quay was the first Commander.

The Post originally held meetings above the city hall on the corner of Manitoba and Lake Street.

The group began meeting at Hart’s Café in the 1940s. In 1948, the Post got its own building which still stands today.

World War I vets had purchased a piece of land where Wayzata West Middle School is located.

That land was traded for land along Wayzata Boulevard where the Legion stands today.

Wayzata American Legion Post 118, Wayzata

The construction of the building was a team effort with Legion members spending evenings, days off and weekends to build the club.

There were many young World War II veterans who were willing to volunteer their time to make it happen.

But it wasn’t just Legion members who got involved.

The community came out in full force to help the cause.

Local businesses donated building material, hardware, plumbing, a furnace and food for the men working on the weekend.

The original building was 30 feet wide and 75 feet wide and consisted of a small bar, kitchen and meeting room. The construction of the new Legion building was a passing of the torch of sorts.

While the World War I veterans created the Post, World War II vets made their mark by creating a community hub from the ground up.

Wayzata American Legion Post 118, Wayzata

In 1963, an addition was made to giving the Legion its current size. In 1990, the Club was remodeled in 1990 adding a kitchen in the back of the building.

Of course, the Legion isn’t just a place for Post members to hold meetings – it has been a constant community gathering place through the years.

It has hosted countless wedding receptions, wedding anniversaries and class reunions. It’s a place where old friends can catch up with one another.

Fundraising is a big function of the Legion.

These campaigns allow the Post to make donations to local charities – toy drives, schools and hospitals all benefit from the Legion’s year-round fundraising efforts.

The next time you’re driving down Wayzata Boulevard and pass the little building with the big American flag, the stone façade and the blue sign, know that it was built on weekends, evenings and days off by people who wanted Wayzata to have a place to meet.

It was organized by members of the Legion but truly constructed by the entire community – footing by footing, block by block, frame by frame.

That building represents pride in the community. It helped form the foundation of what Wayzata is today.
Memorial Day Honor Guard Ceremony schedule

May 25th, 2011

Wayzata American Legion Post 118

Pay tribute to fallen soldiers this Memorial Day – Monday, May 30th at the local cemeteries and Heritage Park.

Honor Guard Ceremonies (Parker’s Lake is in Plymouth, all others are in Wayzata):
8:30 AM Parker’s Lake Cemetery
9:15 AM Greenlawn Cemetery
9:45 AM Old Wayzata Cemetery
10:30 AM Summit Hill Cemetery
11:30 AM Heritage Park Memorial Day Program

You are invited back to the post for refreshments after the Heritage Park program.
Wayzata American Legion holds Memorial Day ceremony (Pictures)

May 26th, 2009

The Wayzata American Legion Post #118 held a Memorial Day ceremony Monday in Heritage Park.

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