KFC? Perkins?
Out on highway 5, on the east side of town, they recently put in a strip mall with only one store; a liquor store. However, the ideas of what else to put in that area are swarming.
It’s been confirmed that a Kline Bank is coming in but I’ve also heard the rumors of Perkins and a KFC. Possibly an IHOP too?
Waconia could use a few new restaurants. Between Pizza and Subs, we don’t really have a lot of variety. However, the addition of more stores/resturants out there kind of makes me sad.
July 12th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
More chains are the last thing the town needs in my humble opinion. Stop the sprawl, Waconia (or land developers of Waconia)! I love Target just as much as the next person but can only imagine how it will impact the small mom and pop retailers. Deuber’s doesn’t stand a chance - and that’s what small towns are made of. A coffee chain would be fine, but how ’bout something with a little character and integrity? The thought of a KFC or IHOP makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Perkins…eh. The elderly population and high schoolers will love it.
Legacy is a good wine shop but not getting the traffic it needs to make it. Hopefully the neighboring shops yet TBD, Kwik Trip, and Target will bring them the foot traffic it needs and spare us from being stuck with MGM.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
I am a small business owner in Waconia and quite frankly this big box sprawl talk scares me and makes me want to leave the town that I fell in love with in the first place. Perkins, Ihop, KFC?! Really?! Vomit, I agree.
Those kinds of places should be destination places for us in Waconia. And Waconia a destination for people who want what’s quaint, unique and individual. I really wish the majority of the people that lived here could get their heads around that idea.
When is Wal-mart coming?
July 13th, 2007 at 8:22 am
I kind of agree about the sprawl. The whole Target thing will make the town seem so much bigger and then it’ll be time for us to move away. It’s the land developers that cut down all the trees and put up shops that piss me off. Where are the animals suppose to go?
July 19th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Isn’t all this change inevitable? Instead of all the complaining, which doesn’t do a damn bit of good, how about trying to live with the evolution and changes that WILL happen or do move further out.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Greg, I’ll take option “C†by supporting the local businesses and entrepreneurs that embody the small town philosophy that Waconia was built upon. (Cue the Cheers theme song here…)
Resorting to supporting fast food and shopping at chain stores with crap products from China is not inevitable or “evolutionary” - it’s just plain lazy. And it’s not a matter of geography; it’s a state of mind of the citizens in a community. There are many neighborhoods in the cities and suburbs that sustain a healthy mix of small chains and mom and pop’s, and even have sidewalks so you can walk there instead of driving from mini mall to mini mall off of a highway.
That said I will continue to spend my money at the shops that continually offer the best variety and value available (such as a Super Target Archer Farms versus Mackethun’s - I dare you to try to find the organic section in there! I will continue to avoid that store like the plague until something better comes along). I have a son so naturally we hit the drive through on occasion, but he also goes to the small restaurants in town with me and eats food locally grown and produced.
Call me crazy but any KFC, IHOP, Perkins or other similar venture is just going to be another empty shop in the 5-10 years it takes for the community to move on to the next big thing in town.
Instead of being run out of town by crappy commercial interests, I’ll put my money where my mouth is.
And as if Waconia isn’t far enough out?! The city needs all the few young professional residents (i.e. tax payers) with careers in the cities that it can get. Someone’s gotta pay for those new streets…
That said I will continue to spend my money at the shops that continually offer the best variety and value available (such as a Super Target Archer Farms versus Mackethun’s - I dare you to try to find the organic section in there!!).
Instead of being run out of town by crappy commercial intersests, I’ll put my money where my mouth is. And as if Waconia isn’t far enough out?! The city needs all the few young professional residents with careers in the cities that it can get.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
By only supporting the local businesses and entrepreneurs that embody the small town philosophy that Waconia was built upon, what you are saying is that you do not want Waconia to take on any more businesses. That is really rediculous. All towns grow, its just a fact of life. I have lived in Waconia for 10 + years and I am looking forward to the expansion, means cheaper prices, otherwise I wouldn’t be shopping there. Let’s face it, Mackethun’s is not the cheapest place to shop, and I would have to drive quite a distance to get a better deal. So why would you keep supporting your current businesses if they end up costing you more? What is it doing for you? Of course it is helping them, but come on…. Where is our Cub? That was ran out by Mackethun’s. We can rely on our feelings all day long here, but in the end it is only a matter of money, because that is why a business is in place to begin with. They are all there to make money. May the best business win, because they “will”. If the smaller businesses want to make it, get more creative, over more customer service, or reduce prices, otherwise I simply shop somewhere else. Sorry to be blunt, but this is not rocket science. And as long as they don’t pave my rock road (because it keeps the number of houses in my area from expanding), I’ll be happy. Otherwise I simply move out further.
July 19th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
“All towns grow, its just a fact of life.”
that is so true and a huge reason why I moved to waconia to open a business. but towns and it’s residents should be aware and in control of how their town grows. Example; Maple Grove. try walking from store to store there and you’ll be more likely to be hit by a SUV than find a retailer with principle.
“I have lived in Waconia for 10 + years and I am looking forward to the expansion, means cheaper prices, otherwise I wouldn’t be shopping there.”
big-box stores impose hidden costs that don’t appear on the price tags of the products they sell: traffic congestion; loss of trees, open space and farmland; displaced small businesses; substitution of jobs that support families with low-paying jobs that don’t; air and water pollution; dying downtowns with vacant buildings; abandoned shopping centers; a degraded sense of community; and sprawl.
you are right. it isn’t rocket science. because rapid residential growth often fails to pay for itself, many local officials feel forced to accept any commercial development in whatever form it comes – typically, cookie cutter shopping centers and big-box stores. these patterns lead to the same problems – increasing traffic, marginal services, lack of open space and rising taxes – that many residents tried to leave behind.
but if all you’re worried about is a rock road getting paved, i’m sure you’ll have no problem moving when it gets paved and all your neighbors have beige homes with no trees in the yards.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Thanks everyone for the great comments. You all have good points and it’s the discussion that I’m sure a lot of people in town are having. No, we can’t exactly stop it, but that also doesn’t mean we should just give in. I’m glad it’s Target not Walmart if we have to get a big department store. I’m just hoping that further choices in stores & restaurants will be given some thought and not just allowed in because they feel we are the next big area.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:11 am
I’ve lived in this area for 15 years now. My wife teaches in Cokato, and I work in Bloomington (middle-aged professional to whom Jenny referred). We moved to Waconia because it was a nice, central location, and we found the land on which to build our house. We have few ties to the community.
That said as background, the comment section here made me think about what would make Waconia better for us. The thought of a Target locating here makes my wife very happy (former city girl). We currently do most of our shopping in the SW Metro (not a lot in Waconia).
I agree with Thomas in that Waconia really needs a better selection of restaurants. We love to dine outside during the summer months, and our choices are very limited. A place we recently starting going to occasionally is Floyd’s in Victoria. It has music, beverages, and decent food that can all be enjoyed on a nice patio. We are not fans of smoky bars.
Although we were only able to make it there once, I did enjoy the wine bar that located by the Green Door (now a coffee shop). I wish it would have been able to keep going as it made a nice place to go in the winter months.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:33 pm
I can hardly wait for more growth in town- bring on the Target and any other companies that are willing to come out to this sleepy, no, make that sound-asleep little town. I am thrilled to hear that we may finally have OPTIONS! I have an infant son and at the last minute I needed to find him a new pair of shoes. There was NO place here in Waconia that carries infant shoes. And I hope no one has a plumbing issue after 7pm because there aren’t any open hardware stores. Granted Duebers has a small select offering, but it is just that- small and selective.
Mackenthuns is overpriced and their selection is lacking! And please don’t even talk to me about the customer service at either McDonalds or Subway- to say it is lacking is a gross understatement. It is about time that the consumers have more options!
Look at the number of housing developments that are popping up all over Waconia- did you really think that one grocery store and a handful of retail stores would continue to support the growing, young, families that are purchasing those new homes? Or do all those tax-paying families moving to town make you want to vomit too?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:08 am
uhm, we are tax paying families gail! i think you over looked the point at hand on this one here. it’s the kind of growth and development that concerns a lot of people. well, at least the ones i know and can actually “think outside the big-box”.
cookie cutter big box growth is options for you? if you drive to any of the hundreds of targets, wal-marts or what-have-you’s, you will see the same thing at every store. let’s not even bring up the politics of how that merchandise ended up on their store shelves. that’s options?! how about chanhassen? why there’s an option. or minnetonka, there’s a “super” option.
call me crazy but, i just think it would be great to support a business that is owned and operated by a local tax paying family. you wonder why you don’t receive good customer support at subway’s or mcdonalds? hmmmm, look at where you shop and consume!
September 4th, 2007 at 12:43 am
I think you missed my point…
Here are some examples to show what I was trying to explain…
As I mentioned in my original email- where in Waconia can I find a pair of infant tennis shoes?
When I was pregnant I needed a specific diabetic medication- if I wanted to wait three days I could have gotten it in Waconia… but since I didn’t have the luxury of waiting I had to drive into Walgreens in Chanhassen.
We had a small plumbing issue one night at 8pm- neither Ace or Hardware Hank was open- so we drove 20 minutes to and 20 minutes back from the Target in Chaska. By then our small issue was a large issue!
Saturday afternoon, at 12:30 I walked into the new bakery downtown to have lunch- the woman slouched over the counter never even stood up straight to greet me as she told me they don’t serve lunch on Saturdays. What was I thinking, trying to find a cup of soup at a bakery on a Saturday at lunch time.
My child needs soy formula- Mackenthuns only carries the smallest size of it but at a higher price than I would pay for it at Target, Cub or any of those horrible big-box stores.
At a recent trip to Duebers I was lucky enough to listen to a lengthy conversation between two clerks about how they didn’t like the clerk at the register at the other end of the store- all of this as I stood there waiting to be checked out.
So forgive me if I want to be able to find baby shoes, needed medications, pipe fittings and a cup of soup in my own hometown. Those are the options I am looking for!
September 5th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Wow. Folks. Settle down.
Now, to interject my opinion…
I think the addition of Target is… Acceptable. As Gail said, trying to find needed hardware materials anytime after 6 is impossible. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t continue to support our local hardware stores, but it would be nice to have a mediocre back-up in case of emergencies (such as a Target). I like the fact that it’s being built on the outskirts of town. It’s not in a location where it’s disturbing the peace, or diminishing property values.
As for Perkins, IHOP, or KFC –
- We don’t need a KFC. While KFC is delicious, it doesn’t have the potential [in this small town] to maintain the kind of traffic it would need to stay in business. It would soon become business ‘clutter’ to that area.
- I am in support of adding a Perkins or IHOP.
It would provide a safe hangout location for our teens, it would provide relatively cheap dining options for both our teens and our elderly. Additionally, I think it would be a good idea to consider the addition of a teen center near there.
And as for the grocery aspect of Target — I will continue to do my grocery shopping at Mackenthun’s. Those of you who say that Mack’s has ridiculous prices… I want to know what you’re comparing Mack’s prices to.
Mackenthun’s has, BY FAR, the best prices on groceries I have ever seen. …With the acception of a few canned goods (mushrooms are about $0.20 more per can than they are at the Cub in Eden Prairie). And their produce and meat far exceeds the quality of many other surrounding grocery stores. The meat quality and value is out of this world.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
It’s a great thing to see everyone here sharing their opinions! Since this is the free world, it will only be a matter of time before this town grows and bigger stores and businesses move in. Actually if we all wouldn’t have moved here, the town would be smaller, so it is partially our fault. Anyway, it will get bigger and nobody will stop it. It doesn’t even matter which way I think this town should go. This isn’t a vote people.
September 7th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Waconia acutally used to have a shoe store, about 15 or 20 years ago, on the corner of Main and Elm where Rosie’s Alterations and the tux rental place are now. Next door to that was a clothing store for the entire family (now Paradise Printing). I am only 29 but for the life of me can not remember the name of either, but that we shopped there quite a bit. I remember getting Minnetonka Moccasins there when I was a tike.
Here’s a real jog down memory lane for those of you that are newer to Waconia. I have lived there since I was 2, aside from going to college in Baltimore. I also attended high school in St. Louis Park so am not a huge townie, but I did just buy my first house in beautiful downtown Waconia so I can raise my son in a great small town!
The post office used to be where John’s Appliance is, on the corner of Main and Olive.
Hardware Hank used to be across the street where the new insurance company is/where Studio 56 used to be. Note to people doing home improvement: go to the Farm Store. The people at Hardware Hank are crabby to put it nicely!
Before the Main Street Exchange existed, there was a small movie theater in the middle of that block. The closest thing I can equate it to is the Excelsior Dock theater, but it was dirtier and creepier. To the west of that was the Sports Corner shop. I can’t recall what the other businesses were on that block - anyone?
When the new movie theater was built there was a large candy and train shop in that space facing the street with the windows, which is now covered with black tarp and is a movie auditorium.
The library used to be in the basement of the American Legion. Then they built a new library where the Blue Nest quilt shop is now, next to St. Joe’s. St. Joe’s used to be a little red brick school house straight out of a movie, with a red brick convent next door and the parking lot/city hall used to be a grassy field (I think?). Where the new library and city hall are now used to be Mackenthun’s IGA!
September 7th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Waconia actually used to have a shoe store, about 15 or 20 years ago, on the corner of Main and Elm where Rosie’s Alterations and the tux rental place are now. Next door to that was a clothing store for the entire family (now Paradise Printing). I am only 29 but for the life of me can not remember the name of either, but that we shopped there quite a bit. I remember getting Minnetonka Moccasins there when I was a tike.
Here’s a real jog down memory lane for those of you that are newer to Waconia…
I have lived there since I was 2, aside from going to college in Baltimore. I also attended high school in St. Louis Park so am not a huge townie, but I did just buy my first house in beautiful downtown Waconia so I can raise my son in a great small town!
The post office used to be where John’s Appliance is, on the corner of Main and Olive.
Hardware Hank used to be across the street where the new insurance company is, and where Studio 56 used to be. (Note to people doing home improvement: go to the Farm Store. The people at Hardware Hank are crabby to put it nicely!)
The Green Room has been all kinds of restaurants. In the 80’s it was Lord Jim’s pizzeria. Since then it’s been Ozzie’s (from the golf course), the sandwich shop, and a couple things in between I believe. The new gift shop next door, the Red Door, used to be a jewelry shop back then. The Diva Dog used to be a salon, and many salons still remain in the near vicinity.
Before the Main Street Exchange existed, there was a small movie theater in the middle of that block. The closest thing I can equate it to is the Excelsior Dock theater, but it was dirtier and creepier. To the west of that was the Sports Corner shop. Where the Sports Corner is now used to be the Green Door, which then moved next to Yetzer’s and has now become a bakery. (I heard the new bakery is out of business already. Another innocent entrepreneur is foiled by the small-town economics of Wacktown…)
On the corner of Vine and First used to be Marsden Drug, the only pharmacy in town. it became a Snyder’s for a short time and is now something else entirely. John Marsden still has a pharmacy in the Lakeview Clinic.
I can’t recall what the other businesses were on Main Street - anyone else?
When the new movie theater was built there was a large candy and train shop in that space facing the street with the windows, which is now covered with black tarp and is a movie auditorium.
The library used to be in the basement of the American Legion. Then they built a new library where the Blue Nest quilt shop is now, next to St. Joe’s. St. Joe’s used to be a little red brick school house straight out of a movie, with a red brick convent next door and the parking lot/city hall used to be a grassy field (I think?).
Where the new library and city hall are now used to be Mackenthun’s IGA! Across the street was a laundromat. Then Mackenthun’s upgraded to the space across from Deuber’s, where Pizza Ranch is now. And now as we all know Mackenthun’s has moved down off of hwy 5.
The high school used to be the Bayview Middle School building now, and the elementary school was all in Southview. Where Waconia high school is now used to be nothing but a field and Oak Ave was a dirt road.
The Coldwell Banker Burnett used to be a Hardee’s. Jim Gilbert’s Wild Bird Store used to be a book shop, among other types of stores.
What things that have remained the same?
Deuber’s, first and foremost. I reckon that will change when Target comes to town. I don’t go there often but have very good memories of spending my allowance on candy and string for making friendship bracelets there. I love how it’s a total blast from the past every time you walk in there, and can find things you won’t find anywhere else.
Holiday gas station has always been there as long as I can recall, but it used to be smaller.
Klein Bank has always been there, but it used to be the First National Bank of Waconia.
The bowling alley used to be owned by our family friends, the Bohn’s. There’s been some drama and of course it became a Chinese restaurant, but there’s still bowling!
Yetzer’s - a great local family
Lakeview Clinic and Ridgeview Hospital
Please feel free to fill in any details I missed! I will continue to support the independent businesses in downtown Waconia in hopes of keeping the city thriving. Who wants Waconia to become another suburb with a series of big box retailers and strip malls off highway 5? In my humble opinion I think Waconia should work to become a destination for people antiquing and boating, a la Excelsior. We have all the charm and hospitality we need, just not the pocketbooks to support it.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I THINK YOU PEOPLE WORRY TOO MUCH! WE NEED A TACO BELL THEN WACONIA WOULD BE COMPLETE! PEACE! THEN JESSY WON’T DRIVE WASTEDLY! IT WILL LESSEN THE AMOUT OF DWIS!!!!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Jessica, I think Jessy has many other issues. If he keeps getting DWI’s then hopefully a jail cell is in his future to teach him a lesson.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Jessica -
Who’s Jessy, and why are you typing in all caps???
Taco Bell is horrible. Unless you need help getting your bowels in motion.
If you’re ‘Jessy’, you should reconsider driving while wasted. Run to Mack’s and pick up several bags of Pizza Rolls before you start drinking. It’s safer, and more convenient.
Oh, and pick up Guitar Hero, if you can. Excellent party game.
January 17th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
As a newer member to the community (moved in around May) I have to say that I cannot wait until Target and/or other “big-box stores” come to town. Granted they will bring more traffic in, but also will create jobs for people that may have limited opportunities without driving all the way to Chan, EP, or MTKA.
Also, competition is a healthy thing. I do feel for the smaller independantly run stores, but if I need to get something, I do get tired of driving to Chaska or Chan to go to a Target/Cub/Rainbow/Home Depot. I know that Duebers is an option for some people, however, I have not been impressed the few times I have been there. Yetzer’s was a little higher priced than other furniture stores, but the customer service there lent us to purchase the same night and will go back there for other needs.
To echo some sediments that have been said earlier in this post, I only go to Mackenthun’s when I have to. The only saving grace there is the self check-outs.
I would welcome with open arms a KFC or Perkins or even a Wendy’s (heaven forbid a Chipotle) into the community.
Waconia unfortunately isn’t a small bedroom community anymore. It is growing and thriving and with that comes new homes/townhomes and with that comes bigger and bigger businesses.
As Jenny said about Waconia being Excelsior. Excelsior has Shorewood, MTKA, and Chan all within 5-10 minutes (depending on lights) of their downtown. Waconia doesn’t have that option. Waconia can grow outside of the downtown and the area downtown can stay cute, quaint, and charming (which it is).
Times..they are a changin’
January 17th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Welcome Hunter.
I, too, just moved in to town (May as well ^_^).
Not to be sexest, but I think you need to be a female, and in to crafts of some sort, to appreciate Deubber’s. It’s like a thrift store, but with new products.
As for Mack’s - I recommend you check out their meat. We moved here from EP, and Mack’s meat is far more superior than the EP Cub, or even the local Lund’s and Byerly’s. I’m kind of a meat connoisseur, being a hunter and having a butcher for a dad. I know venison isn’t the ‘fanciest’ of meats, but I do know fine quality meats.
Speaking of fancy meats, if you’re ever in Mpls (55 & Lake, I believe), check out Coastal Seafoods. Kobe beef for $15/lb. (to get kobe that’s been imported from Japan will run you about $50/lb). Good stuff. They have excellent … well, everything else they have is excellent, too.