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Ambassador of the Year is nominated by the Waconia Chamber Ambassadors. The honoree is chosen based on overall commitment to the Chamber and the Ambassador program.

The Business Excellence Awards are nominated by Waconia Chamber members and the Waconia community.

A Message from the 2025 Board Chair

Strengthening Our Community





by Lisa Steinbauer

Board Chair, Waconia Chamber of Commerce

Dear Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce members:

It is with great pride that I welcome you to another amazing year with our Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce. As the 2025 Board Chair, I am honored to serve alongside a dedicated team of local leaders and volunteers who share a collective commitment to continue advancing the Chamber’s mission to promote Waconia as a place to live, work and play. Together, we are committed to collaborating and working with you and our community partners to contribute to Waconia’s growth, prosperity and quality of life for all who make this wonderful community their home and place of business. Continue reading...

Minnesota Chamber News

Minnesota’s economic growth demands a nuanced approach

by Doug Loon

President & CEO, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Every state has its own story, and Minnesota’s is one of pride, resilience and innovation. From our diverse industries to our hardworking people and stunning natural resources, we have so much to celebrate. Yet, as I reflect on the past decade of our 2025 Business Benchmarks report: Determinants of a healthy economy, it’s clear there’s more to the story—economic strengths we must protect and challenges we must face head-on if we want to build a thriving economic future. 

The numbers tell an important story, but they’re just the beginning. Our report dives deeper, identifying the core determinants that define a healthy economy: strong GDP and job growth, costs conducive to private-sector investment, sensible business regulations, a sustainable workforce strategy and smart public sector investments. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the building blocks of a competitive and resilient economy. Continue Reading...

Christine Fenner Graduates from Institute for Organization Management, A Leadership Training Program Produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Christine Fenner, IOM, President of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management.

Christine Fenner pictured with Rodolfo Flores (left) and Angie Witcomb (right),

U.S. Chamber Board of Regents.

New Members

Member Renewals

We appreciate your support!

Thank you to all our members who renewed their membership in December and January.

A-1 Electric Service of Waconia

American Legion Post #150

Ameriprise Financial, Harris Wealth Partners

Amerivu Inn & Suites - Waconia

Anderson Dahlen

AssuredPartners

Backyard Wishes

Carlson's Llovable Llamas

Carver County Community Development Agency

Carver County Public Health

CenterPoint Energy

CorTrust Bank

Creature Works

Crimson Copper

Crown College

Crusher Fitness + Health

Culver's of Waconia

Custom Interiors Carpet One Floor & Home

Dahlheimer Beverage Green Isle

Danielle Alexander Design

Dave Philp-Coldwell Banker Realty

Dawson & Associates

Derrick's Transportation Services

Dojo Karate

Edward Jones Investments-Ryan Pederson

Elite Nutrition

Freshwater Church

Garage Bar & Bowl

Gather and Grow Food Shelf & Connection Center

Gilbert Legal, PLLC

GK2promotions

Golden Dragon

HearingLife

HomeTown Bank

Hoppers Bar & Grill

Iron River Construction

Island View Golf Club

Jeff Schulz Team-RE/MAX

Johnson Funeral Home, Inc.

Kaeding Architecture

Kelly, Holt & Christenson, PLLC

Koch Bus Service, Inc.

Ladybug Child Care Center

Lakeside Farm and Flowers

Laketown Electric Corporation

Laketown Gymnastics

Lakeview Clinic, Ltd.

Larkin Electric, Inc.

Lynn Laumann Photography

M.M.G. Classic Cars

Mackenthun's Fine Foods

Mainstream Boutique

Marco

McDonalds of Waconia

Melchert Hubert Sjodin, PLLP

Memorial Blood Centers

MidCountry Bank

Midwest Expanded Metal, Inc.

Mini Biff

Mocha Monkey

Modern Design Cabinetry

Mystic Fortress Games

NAPA Auto & Truck Parts

Neubauer Chiropractic Health Center

New Creations Child Care & Learning Center

O2B Kids

Oakwood Community Church

OBGYN WEST

Philp Family Dentistry Waconia

Pine Products, Inc.

PuroClean of Waconia

Ridgeview

Rising Star Dance Academy

Sackett-Waconia

Scheff Insurance Agency

Security Bank & Trust Co.

Simple Grace Promotions

SLS CPAs

Southern Valley Alliance

SouthPoint Financial Credit Union

Southwest Eye Care

St. Joseph Catholic Community

SunnyDays Therapy, Inc

Superior Steps ABA

The Community Foundation for Carver County

The Saloon-Waconia

The Uptown Apartments

Thrivent Financial

Title Mark

Town & Country Glass, Inc.

Transport Security, Inc.

Travel Easy Inc.

Trending Upward Thrift Shoppe

Trinity Waconia

Waconia Baseball Association

Waconia Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Waconia Hockey Association

Waconia Landscaping Company

Waconia Music Studios

Waconia Patriot

Waconia West Carver Rotary

Waconia, Victoria & Tonka Living Magazine

West Metro Shuttle LLC

Yetzer Home Store

More Chamber News

Thanks for coming to the Holiday Social!

Our Holiday Social was a hit! We had a blast celebrating, and the jersey theme added a fun twist to the festivities. Bowling, laughter, and great company made it an unforgettable night. Big thanks to the Garage Bar & Bowl for hosting us!

Refreshed Sign on Hwy 5

The Waconia Theatre sign just got an eye-catching update! Thanks to the incredible partnership & collaboration with Emagine Waconia Theatre. Also shoutout for the creative design inspiration from Crystal Lane Design (Crystal of Candie Clouds).

We’re proud to enhance our community with projects like this, made possible through the collaboration of amazing local businesses and talent. As a nonprofit organization, the Waconia Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is dedicated to making the Waconia community a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

Mackenthun’s Fine Foods: A Legacy of Giving and Growing Together

Latest Waconia Chamber Blog Post

It’s nice to know that when you’re filling up your grocery cart, you’re fueling a mission that supports community, connection, and kindness. Read on to learn more about the enduring legacy of Mackenthun's Waconia and the extraordinary way it brings community and local flavor to the table. Shop local and support the businesses that make our community extraordinary!

Annual Retail Committee Marketing Meeting

Exciting plans are in the works! The Waconia Chamber Retail Committee met January 9 to map out the 2025 shopping and dining events you won't want to miss! Mark your calendar now, and don't forget to explore the community calendar at DestinationWaconia.org for even more happenings.

Upcoming Retail Committee Meetings:

9-10:00AM, @Waconia Chamber Office

• February 13
• March 13
• April 10

ATTENTION REALTORS! - Add Property Listings Online

The Chamber is thrilled to announce the launch of anew online platform, designed to spotlight local realtors and serve as a go-to resource for home buyers! Realtors, showcase your property listings on DestinationWaconia.org and tap into an incredible audience—166,000 page views in the past year. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your future clients!

*The instruction video will refer to Hot Deals. Look for the tab labeled Property Listings in the member portal. The instructions to add will be the same as Hot Deals.

Member News & Happenings

The Unchosen Ones: Portraits of an American Pastoral

Exhibit ends January 10

Carver County Historical Society

55 W 1st Street, Waconia

The Unchosen Ones: Portraits of an American Pastoral, features photographs by artist R. J. Kern of kids and teens at county fairs across Minnesota, selecting those who had not won ribbons. Each fair contestant is photographed with their hardworking show animal. The initial photographs are from 2016 and then he returned to the participants and their current show animal in 2020.

Join us to see these stunning photographs and learn more about the participants in this exhibition. Admission is free.

Hockey Fights Cancer

Saturday, January 11 | 8:00-4:00PM

Waconia Ice Arena

1250 Oak Ave, Waconia

Join us for the Hockey Fights Cancer! This fun-filled day is open to the entire community and features hockey games at all levels, from Mite to Varsity. JV starts at 12:00PM, and Varsity takes the ice at 2:00PM. Start your day with coffee and donuts available for purchase, and don't miss the Chick-fil-A food truck serving from 11:00-7:00PM. Enjoy activities for the whole family, including a silent auction, Chuck-a-Puck, photos with the Wildcat mascot, and face painting. Come support a great cause and have fun with the community!

Adult Aerial Classes at Shred with Shannon

Saturday, January 11 | 9-10:00AM

Tuesday, January 14 | 7:30-8:30PM

Shred with Shannon

37 Main St E, Waconia

January 11: Aerial Hammock Sampler: Tricks, Flow & Float - Learn some tricks, yoga poses & end with floating meditation. Ideal for beginners or someone wanting to sample aerial hammocks. 

January 14: Floating Meditation with Reflexology (with Wildroots Wellness): Let the stress of the holidays melt away as you float in the hammocks. You will be lulled into a meditative state with heated lavender mask, a weighted blanket, sound bath & reflexology!

Triple Crown Home Team Homebuyer Seminar

Tuesday, January 14 | 6:00PM

Saturday, January 25 | 10:00AM

Coldwell Banker Realty

121 W Main St. #119, Waconia

The Triple Crown Home Team is teaming up with some of the best in the business to offer you TWO opportunities to attend a one-hour HOMEBUYER SEMINAR in January. If you haven’t purchased a home in a while, or if you are a first-time homebuyer, this is a priceless opportunity to receive valuable information so that YOU are READY when it is time to buy.

Topics that will be covered are as follows:

- pre-approval and working with a Lender

- benefits of working with a Realtor

- Home Owners Insurance

- The Closing Process and Title Insurance

No registration required. We hope to see you there!

Waconia DandyLions Host the Frozen Fairway Open

Saturday, January 25 | 12:00-2:00PM

Lake Waconia Regional Park

8170 Paradise Ln, Waconia

Get ready to swing into winter at the Frozen Fairway Open! It's 9 holes of snow golf with a twist! For just $25 per golfer, you'll receive a ticket for snow golf--bring your own golf club (think hockey stick, broom, tee-ball bat), and we'll provide the tennis balls. This year, were introducing a Best Dressed Team Contest! Come enjoy live music from Mike Bustin from 1:00-4:30PM. All profits benefit The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer and The Waconia DandyLions. Don't miss out on the fun for a great cause!

Waconia West -Carver Rotary Wine Dinner

Monday, January 27

Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque

8175 MN-7, Minnetrista

The Waconia West-Carver Rotary will host the annual Wine Dinner at Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque again this year, and if you talk to anybody who attended the event last year, they’ll tell you about the great food, wine, live and silent auction, and award ceremony! This year, the 23rd annual Wine Dinner, will be no different! This is a fund-raising event, and the Rotary uses the proceeds to support local and world-wide programs and organizations. Below are a few examples of how Rotary used its process during the past year.

• Adirondack chairs at Paradise Commons on Lake Waconia - $10,000 donation
• Waconia High School Marching Band uniforms - $10,000 donation 
• Lions Club Baseball Park, Rotary Grill - $20,000 donation
• Foreign Exchange Student Program – annual financial support
• 
  

Please visit the Rotary website for additional details or contact Chuck Dueber for tickets. Chuck may be reached at dueberc@gmail.com, or 952-300-5638. Thank you for supporting the local Rotary club!

Waconia Polar Plunge

Saturday, February 8 | Beginning at 12:00PM

Lola's Lakehouse

318 Lake St E, Waconia

Embrace the cold and support Special Olympics Minnesota by taking the Polar Plunge! Can't make the Plunge? Donations are now being accepted, click the button to register to plunge or donate now.

Business Participants Wanted:

Galentine's Day Sip, Shop & Stroll

Thursday, February 13 | 10AM-7PM

It's back for its second year—don’t miss out on this year's first Sip, Shop & Stroll! Led by local retailers, this exciting event will take place on Thursday, February 13th, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, across the charming shops and restaurants in Waconia. If you'd like to be part of this fun-filled day, sign up by emailing niceshirtco@gmail.com and ruthieshousevintage.com today!



Additional Details:

• There is no cost for your business to participate, but each participating business is asked to provide a giveaway item for paying attendees to collect. The giveaway item must have a retail value of at least $10, and attendees will visit your location to pick it up.
• Promotional materials and the sign-up link for attendees will be available during the week of January 12th and will be sent directly to you.
• Attendees pay $35 to attend this event.

More information will be provided in the coming weeks. 

Shape It Up Fitness $99 Deal

Shape It Up Fitness

44 W Main St, Waconia

Only three weeks left to take advantage of our $99 monthly unlimited group fitness special! Regular monthly rate $149.99. Call 952-215-7431 or email Shape It Up at megan@shapeitupfitnessmn.com to sign up, or stop in during retail hours. Special runs until the end of January. Retail hours: T-F 10-5p / Sat 10-4p / Sun 12-4p 

Space for Rent

Lower Level Rental Available July 1st- 2,000 Square Feet, private entrance, private parking space, enter off the alley behind Main Street Buildings. The upstairs is Shape It Up Fitness. Schedule a time to see the space with Megan 952-215-7431.

Ridgeview welcomes Lauren Ingles, PA-C to Cosmetic Dermatology practice 

Lauren Ingles, PA-C, is now seeing patients at Ridgeview Clinics in Chaska for cosmetic dermatology services. Lauren offers laser treatments, chemical peels, injectables and skin care consultations. She treats a variety of skin conditions including acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and scarring, and offers treatments to address fine lines, wrinkles and collagen loss. To learn more, visit ridgeviewmedical.org/cosmetic-dermatology

To schedule an appointment, call 952.442.3188.

Faith Lutheran Church Hiring Two Positions

Faith Lutheran Church is now hiring a Bookkeeper and an Office Manager. Please email your cover letter and resume to Pastor Adam White at adam@waconiafaithlutheran.com or drop them in the Church Office at 800 Waconia Pkwy N, Waconia.

Lakeview Clinic Virtual Care Now Available

Lakeview Clinic’s Virtual Convenient Care service is now available to ALL patients! This means people who normally go elsewhere for their primary care, can use our virtual service for common ailments like cold, flu, pink eye, UTIs, and such. Patients have really been enjoying the ease of use, and the quality care they receive without having to leave home in most cases. Occasionally labs may be required, and our team will coordinate to make sure that happens as easily as possible. 

Volunteers Looking for Service Hours

New for the 2024-2025 school year at Waconia High School is Youth Service. Students are able to receive academic credit for their work in bettering their community through volunteer service. Volunteer opportunities are communicated to the student body on a weekly basis. When you are in need of volunteers, contact Michael Peterson, Youth Service Coordinator, with your needs! mpeterson@isd110.org

Friday Facts Submissions

Have an exciting announcement, an event, or deal to submit to Friday Facts? Email 50-75 words and any attachments to Chelsey at ckoubsky@destinationwaconia.org by noon on Wednesday the week you'd like it to run. Your submission will appear in the Friday Facts for two weeks. As part of your 2025 membership investment, you have the opportunity to submit announcements to the Friday Facts up to 10 times a year (20 appearances).

Eggs and Issues - A Breakfast Conversation with Local Leaders

Tuesday, February 4 | 9:00-10:30AM

Paradise Commons

8170 Paradise Ln, Waconia

Join us for a morning of insights and open dialogue at our upcoming "Eggs and Issues" event! This is a unique opportunity to connect directly with local elected officials and legislators over breakfast. Gain firsthand knowledge about pressing issues impacting our community, hear updates on recent legislative developments, and engage in meaningful conversations on topics that matter most to local businesses.

Bring your questions and ideas for a lively discussion over breakfast, as we work together to build a stronger, more informed business community. Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard!

Invited Elected Officials

• City Council Chamber Liaison – Jacob Coleman
• Mayor Tim Litfin
• Commissioner Tim Lynch
• Representative Jim Nash
• Senator Julia Coleman



Menu: Bakery on Main Coffee & Breakfast Sandwiches

Cost: $20



Open to all chamber members and community leaders—reserve your seat today!

Chamber Calendar - January 2025

JANUARY 9 Retail Marketing Meeting, 9-10:30AM @Mocha Monkey Downtown

JANUARY 16 Ambassadors, 8:45AM @Waconia City Hall

JANUARY 23 Annual Meeting Luncheon, 11:30AM-1:00PM @Freshwater Church

STAY CONNECTED

@DestinationWaconia