D.E.A.R. Hunting Day
Divas Enjoying Awesome Retail
November 6
Set your sites on Waconia for D.E.A.R. on November 6. Hunt for deals during this fun shopping and dining event. Look for D-E-A-R in the shop windows to complete the scavenger hunt and enter to win a "Basket of Waconia"!
2021 Participating Businesses:
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Advanced Dermatology
& Cosmetic Institute
Elite Nutrition
Everson's Hardware Hank
Hustle & Heart Sports
Garage Bar & Bowl
Hoppers Bar & Grill
Infinity Diamond Jewelers
Iron Tap
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Laketown Home & Garden
Lola's Lakehouse
Mackenthun's Fine Foods
Main Street Floral
Mainstream Boutique
Mocha Monkey
Mystic Fortress Games
one.boutique
Paws Inn Pet Essentials
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Pangea Cafe
Sam & Friends
Shop Chicks Co.
The Stash
Trending Upward
Unearthed Arts
Waconia Brewing Company
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Thorn Creations
Travis Horn
Woodworking, retail
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Backyard Wishes
Melissa Stegman, Khuzana DeVaan
Charitable non-profit
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NAPA Auto & Truck Parts
Steve Windschitl
Automotive service, auto body repair
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Dawson & Associates LLC
Jill Dawson
Insurance
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A Message from the Chamber President |
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Why I'm grateful for our Waconia Community
by Christine Fenner
President, Waconia Chamber of Commerce
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There’s a whole culmination of reasons why this community is special. To name just a few, our small town shops and local businesses have character and charm with festivity displayed in their windows. Our annual Tree Lighting
held in City Square Park has been described as something that comes straight from a Hallmark movie. And our non-profit organizations are strong and quick to serve those in need.
This past week’s Chamber events were yet another good reminder of why I’m incredibly proud and grateful to work and serve in this community. Continue reading...
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Celebrating National Manufacturing Month |
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October Chamber Luncheon Recap: Made in Waconia
The "Made in Waconia" Chamber Luncheon on October 28 featured a panel of speakers and great conversation on the state of manufacturing in Waconia. The panel discussed current events affecting their businesses including supply chain issues, staffing and recruiting, the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and more.
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Thanks to the panel speakers:
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Experience the Trades Recap
Waconia High School students had the opportunity to meet with local businesses to Experience the Trades on November 2. The event is designed to expose students to opportunities and benefits of the trade industry.
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Thanks to participating chamber member businesses:
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Backyard Wishes is a nonprofit organization helping kids find a sense of belonging. Donations go directly back to kids in Waconia to fund participation in extra-curricular activities. Backyard Wishes also awards a number of scholarships to graduating high school seniors each year.
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1504 2nd St SE, PO Box 110, Waseca
Mediacom offers internet, data, phone, and cable services. The Ambassadors learned about what it takes to get high speed and fiber services into both residential and business locations.
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8700 College View Dr.
Crown College is a Christian college with about 1,500 students on campus and online. Crown offers bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as professional development. Students are required to complete 10 hours of community service each semester and are looking for volunteer opportunities in the Waconia community.
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Member News and Happenings |
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Christmas Carolers Wanted! |
Do you love Christmas carols and spreading holiday cheer? The Waconia Chamber is looking for carolers to sing Christmas songs on the streets of downtown Waconia during Homespun Holiday on Saturday, November 27. If interested, email Chelsey or call 952-442-5812.
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Drop off coats: November 1 - December 3
Providing coats to youth in need! Please donate gently used winter coats in Youth size XS to Adult Large to help our youth in need stay warm this winter. Drop off locations: City Hall, Laketown Home & Garden, Safari Island, Snap Fitness, SouthPoint Financial Credit Union, St. Joseph Church & School, Waconia 1 Collision.
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Turkey & Fixings: Thanksgiving Food Delivery |
Register by: November 15
Delivery: November 20
Providing a frozen turkey with everything needed to make a Thanksgiving Dinner. For Families in need in Western Carver County. PRE-REGISTRATION is REQUIRED by NOVEMBER 15. Call Love INC at 952-448-3261 to register. To donate food or volunteer go to: StJosephWaconia.org.
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November 1 - 29
The Women of Waconia are collecting new, unwrapped toys, bath items, games, books, gift cards, and other gift items for children of all ages, infant through teens. Toy Drive collection boxes are in many local businesses: Laketown Gymnastics, Mackenthun's Fine Foods, Elite Nutrition, Everson's Hardware Hank, Mainstreet Exchange, Old National Bank, Children of Tomorrow Learning Center, Waconia Dodge, Mainstream Boutique, Waconia Brewing Company, HomeTown Bank, Waconia Ice Arena, Mystic Fortress Games, American Family Insurance, Eveslage Agency, and Regarding Dentistry.
Volunteers are also needed to make the Toy Drive successful. Email the women of Waconia for more volunteer information.
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Social Media Strategy Class Hosted by Library |
November 6
10:30AM-12:00PM
Social Media Strategy- Content and Conversation presented by The Loft Literary Center: and hosted online by the Carver County Library. Registration required.
Do you know why your organization uses (or should use) social media? If you don’t know or you thought something like ‘to make it go viral’ or ‘that’s just what everyone does,’ you probably don’t have much in the way of social media strategy. In this seminar, we’ll explore what tools to consider, when and how often to post, which content to share, who can help create and extend conversations, and how to analyze your results, diffuse your critics, and amplify your strongest advocates. This project was funded by MELSA.
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Backyard Wishes A Women's Day Retreat |
November 9
8:30AM-3:00PM
Charlson Meadows, Victoria
We are hosting a "Women's Day Retreat" as a fundraiser for Backyard Wishes!
We invite you to enjoy "Time For YOU Tuesday" and support Backyard Wishes!
Join us on Tuesday, November 9, at Charlson Meadows in Victoria to Restore, Renew, Reflect, Replenish, Relax, & Rejuvenate.
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November 18
10:00AM-6:00PM
Ridgeview Professional Building
Ridgeview is hiring for a variet of part-time and full-time roles at locations across our system. Nutrition aides/cooks, housekeeping, staffing scheduling, billing/patient accounts, customer service for patient registration/scheduling, facilities, dispatch, security. Learn more about Ridge, apply and interview to join our team!
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Join the Waconia Heritage Association |
November 18
6:30PM-7:30PM
Waconia City Hall
Are you interested in Waconia history? The Waconia Heritage Association invites you to a special meeting on Thursday evening, November 18, 6:30-7:30PM in City Hall. Members will have a short show-and-tell to highlight our collection of pictures, information and artifacts. We welcome your input about possible evening meetings as well as membership support. Perhaps a particular area interests you, the city cemetery, past owners of businesses and homes in the downtown, a walking tour, our part in the regional park, learning more about your own family roots, or a new project idea. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, November 18, at 6:30!
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Tree Lighting in the Park |
November 26
6:00PM-6:30PM
City Square Park
Sip hot cocoa by the warm fire while caroling with holiday characters. Santa will arrive just in time to light up City Square Park at 6:30PM. Bring a new, unopened toy for the Waconia Toy Drive. Big thanks to the Women of Waconia for supplying and serving the hot cocoa and organizing the Waconia Toy Drive.
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Homespun Holiday | Small Business Saturday |
November 27
All Day
Shopping
Kettle corn, carolers, and holiday shopping.
Candy Cane Hunt
10am | City Square Park
Photos with Santa
10:30am-2:30pm | Waconia Fire Station
Take your own photos.
Bring canned or dry food items for the Waconia United Food Shelf.
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Keep it Local! Buy Waconia Bucks |
Waconia Bucks are a perfect gift for teachers, stocking stuffers, or the hard to buy for person. Waconia Bucks spend just like cash at Waconia Chamber businesses. Purchase Waconia Bucks at the Waconia Chamber Office (201 S. Vine St, Waconia).
Waconia Bucks are available in any dollar amount. Order ahead and we'll have them ready for pickup. Cash or check preferred.
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Help Mystic Fortress Games fight dragons and hunger |
Mystic Fortress Games, Waconia's friendly local game store, is selling t-shirts to help fight hunger and fund their current expansion. Forty percent (40%) of the above-cost proceeds from the shirts will be donated to Gather and Grow, formerly the Waconia United Food Shelf.
"We wanted to give back to the community that supported us," said Dale Inman, one of the owners of Mystic Fortress Games. When asked why they chose to support Gather and Grow, he replied, "Because games and food bring people together around a table."
The shirts are available at Mystic Fortress Games, 104 West Main Street, Waconia. Youth shirts are $25, adult shirts are $30, and size 3XL or larger are $35. Order forms will also be available at Gather and Grow.
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Halloween Portrait Spooktacular raised $750 for Food Shelf |
The Taylor Hubbard Photography Halloween Portrait Charity Spooktacular raised $750 for the Waconia United Food Shelf last Friday. The donation will provide 2,250 meals to those in need. This is the 11th year Taylor has hosted the event. The portraits were taken at Waconia Middle School this year. |
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Seats open on Workforce Development Board |
Hennepin/Carver Workforce Development Board , a local board responsible for facilitating partnership between local businesses , educational institutions and job seekers, is currently looking for business partners. We have 3 vacant seats dedicated to private businesses. If any of the private businesses are interested in learning more and applying for the board membership, please reach out to Kate Probert at kprobert@co.carver.mn.us. |
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Trending Upward Thrift Shoppe Hiring |
We are now hiring for our apparel and accessories and Christmas team! Apply via email at trendingupward@gmail.com or in-store. Saturday availability and knowledge of fashion preferred. Must be 16+ and able to regularly lift items and boxes between 10 and 50 pounds.
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COVID-19 Testing at Lake Waconia Event Center |
Public Health is opening a free COVID-19 community testing site at the Lake Waconia Event Center. COVID-19 testing will be available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, beginning the week of October 25 with limited appointments, and expanded testing capacity starting the week of November 1. |
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Marco Supports 80 United Ways in 12 States |
Marco Technologies is excited to announce its employees raised more than $211,000 for 80 local United Ways across Marco's 12-state footprint. This amount exceeds Marco's 2021 goal of raising $200,000 to help ensure people's basic needs are met through United Way. Please see the attached news release, or visit our website to learn more.
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Ridgeview's Mystery Auction is Back! |
Make an impact and win a great prize! Ridgeview’s Mystery Auction is back! Purchase a square for $1,000 and win a fabulous prize while supporting the new Cause for the Community Campaign and help keep health care close to home! Each prize is valued between $250+ and $12,000+ and include a Polaris Ranger, Polaris Snowmobile, Yamaha Scooter, Louis Vuitton handbag and so much more! |
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Chamber Holiday Social
December 6, 5-8PM
Lola's Lakehouse
The Waconia Chamber Holiday Social will be on December 6 at Lola's Lakehouse. Register by December 1. Registration includes one drink and appetizers. Hope to see you there!
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Chamber Luncheon
Thursday, November 18, 2021
11:30AM-1:00PM
Location: Vandy's Grille
7795 Laketown Pkwy, Waconia
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Topic: Future of Growth & Development in Waconia
Guest Speaker: Lane Braaten, City of Waconia Community Development Director
What does the future of housing, retail, commercial business look like?
What's in store for downtown development and expansion along Highway 5?
Hear updates on city plans in regard to economic development.
Cost: $25/member, $40/non-member
Deadline to register: Monday, November 15
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Chamber Calendar - November 2021 |
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NOVEMBER 6 Divas Enjoying Awesome Retail, All Day
NOVEMBER 10 Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30AM @City Hall
NOVEMBER 11 Retail Meeting, 8:00AM @City Hall
NOVEMBER 18 Ambassadors Meeting, 8:45AM @City Hall
NOVEMBER 18 Chamber Luncheon, 11:30AM-1:00PM @Vandy's Grille
NOVEMBER 26 Tree Lighting, 6:00PM @City Square Park
NOVEMBER 27 Homespun Holiday, All Day
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Friday Facts is a publication of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce
952-442-5812
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