D.E.A.R. Hunting Day

Divas Enjoying Awesome Retail

The Waconia Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the 17th Annual Divas Enjoying Awesome Retail (D.E.A.R.) Day on Saturday, November 9th, from 9 AM to 4 PM. Get ready

for a fun-filled day of shopping, sipping, dining, and scoring great deals across Waconia!

Highlights of D.E.A.R. Day

• Scavenger Hunt Map: Find D-E-A-R and to be entered to win a “Basket of Waconia”—a prize valued at over $400, filled with goodies from local shops, bars, and restaurants! 

• Exclusive Deals: Enjoy special offers while you shop, sip, and dine. Wear deer hunting orange for extra offers! 

• Shop Local, Support Local: By shopping locally, you’re helping our community thrive and keeping Waconia’s small-town charm vibrant.

2024 Workplace Compliance Conference: Using the latest regulations to be competitive

Waconia Chamber Board Chair, Dee DeLange of WBC, and Chamber President, Christine Fenner, attended the Workplace Compliance Conference this week to hear a comprehensive overview of the new compliance measures set by the Minnesota Legislature.

Topics discussed included:

Minnesota’s Labor and Employment Landscape

Paid Family and Medical Leave

New Federal Labor Laws Impacting Minnesota

Worker Classification Issues

See resource links below to assist in ensuring your organization is compliant.

Advocacy in Action

Carver County Parks

Lake Waconia Regional Park | Paradise Commons Building

New General Liability Insurance Requirements

Over the last year, the Chamber has worked to advocate on behalf of local food vendors and partner with Carver County on steps to adopt a business-friendly approach to the general liability insurance requirements at the Lake Waconia Regional Park, Paradise Commons building. These collective efforts have been in effort to improve business operations for both business vendors and the Carver County Parks system. In October, the county finalized the work and have been authorized to change the operations to accept, as the new standard, $2M GL and $1M per occurrence. 

Election Day: November 5

Watch the Waconia Chamber's Meet the Candidates Luncheon and learn more about each candidate running for Waconia City Council, Waconia Mayor, and Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A on DestinationWaconia.org's election page.

Primary contact: Jill Dawson

952-835-7500

300 E Frontage Rd, Waconia

jill.dawson@amfam.com

mydawsonassociates.com



The Waconia Chamber Ambassadors celebrated with the Dawson and Associates Team on their new office space on Frontage Road, as well as met new members of the team.

Primary contact: Dee Delange

612-888-2739

255 W Main St, Waconia

ddelange@waconiabrewing.com

waconiabrewing.com

Congratulations to the Waconia Brewing Company team on celebrating 10 years of business in October! WBC opened on Nickle Dickle Day in 2014 selling founders packs and apparel, before officially opening for business in October 2014.

Primary contact: Kathy Shanahan

952-442-2119

113 Hwy 5 E, Waconia

waconiavet@gmail.com

waconiavet.com

Waconia Veterinary Clinic is one of the largest vet clinics in the west metro area with nine veterinarians on staff. Waconia Vet began over 40 years ago specializing in large animal care but as Waconia has evolved, so have their services now caring for mostly small animals and pets.

Waconia Selected as Host for Year Two of Baseball Day Minnesota

Baseball Day Minnesota 2025 officially has a date and a home. After careful deliberation following the exciting launch at Minnetonka's Veterans Field in May 2024, the Baseball Day Minnesota committee identified Waconia's Lions Field as the site for this year's event.



Chris Ohm, the board president of the Waconia Baseball Association, says the baseball community was thrilled to be selected as the host for the upcoming event. "The ability to be considered to host an event like Baseball Day Minnesota is an honor. We are humbled that our city was chosen for the 2025 event," says Ohm. "Baseball is a way of life in Waconia, and Waconia Lions Field is one of the premier baseball experiences in the region, and we look forward to hosting some of Minnesota's best players from some of the best communities."

What's playing at Emagine Waconia Theatre

• Here
• Hitpig
• Smile 2
• The Carpenter
• The Wild Robot
• Venom: The Last Dance
• We Live in Time

Women's Connect

Monday, November 4 | 11:30-1:00PM

Sizzle Street

813 Marketplace Dr, Waconia

Women's Connect is a focused network designed to encourage, support, and create resources for professional women entrepreneurs and professional business leaders. Interested? RSVP to Christine at cfenner@destinationwaconia.org TODAY!

Holiday Hustle at Shape It Up Fitness

Holiday Hustle

Nov. 4 - Dec. 20

Shape It Up Fitness Holiday Hustle: $49 includes 7 weeks of virtual fitness and accountability to keep you on track to maintain this Holiday season. Starts Nov. 4- Dec. 20. 

Available to rent: the lower level of Shape It Up Fitness, about 2,000 sq ft. Available July 2025. Email Megan at Megan@shapeitupfitnessmn.com.

5th Annual Experience the Trades

Tuesday, November 5 | 7:30-8:30AM

Waconia High School Room B107

1650 Community Dr, Waconia

Students, grades 9-12, are invited to meet local industry partners

to learn about the features and benefits of the trade industry.

Meet WHS alumni and local employers. Learn about future course options, work experience, summer jobs, and paid internship opportunities. WHS will answer questions about registration and scheduling.

Connecting opportunities in Manufacturing, Automotive, Construction, Engineering. Interested in getting involved with the Business Education Network group for future meetings and events? Please reach out to Christine at cfenner@destinationwaconia.org for more details. 

Chamber Advantage: Unlock Your Benefits

Tuesday, November 5 | 10:00-11:30AM

Waconia Chamber Office

209 S Vine St, Waconia

Join us to connect with fellow business leaders, gain valuable insights, and discover how being part of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce can elevate your business. Whether you're just checking things out, a new member, or been a member for several years; here's a chance to learn more and better leverage your membership investment. 

Free! Register to reserve your spot. 

After the Votes: A Day of Peace and Reflection

Wednesday, November 6 | 8:00AM-5:00PM

Waconia Moravian Church

209 East 2nd St, Waconia

As we navigate the day of Election Day, we invite you to join us for a time of peace, reflection, and prayer. Our church will be open as a sanctuary for you to use on this day. Drop in anytime throughout the day to find solace, meditate, or simply be present. All are welcome, regardless of background or beliefs. Questions? Contact 952-442-2920 or office@waconiamoravian.org.

Locally Crafted Sip and Shop

November 6 & 7 | 4-9:00PM

Schram Vineyards

8785 Airport Rd, Waconia

This annual TWO-DAY vendor market is full of local artists, craftsmen, designers, and more, selling all of the amazing gifts you need to prepare for the holidays while supporting local! Tickets are set up to stagger arrival times and provide a great shopping experience for all. They sell out quickly, so be sure to get yours early! Vendors will be different each day with the intent to have a great mix of vendors each night, so you can shop all new products!

November Coffee Connection

Thursday, November 7 | 7:30-9:00AM

Crusher Fitness + Health

219 E Frontage Rd, Waconia

Network and connect! We'd love to hear what's new with you and your business. Coffee and a light snack will be served. No need to register. Stop in for as long as your schedule allows. FREE! Hope to see you there!

Kids Fun Night Out (Parents Night Out)

Friday, November 8 | 6-9:30PM

Laketown Elementary

960 Airport Rd, Waconia

Do your kids want a fun place to go when you are out for a Friday evening? Drop your kids off at Laketown Elementary School gym on Friday night! To begin we’ll have free time in the gym (or on the playground pending season/weather), then break for a snack and finish with a projected movie. Registration required.

Experience the FarmHouse Fresh Difference

Wednesday, November 13 | 6:00PM

Infinity Diamond Jewelers

32 W 1st St, Waconia

Join Infinity Diamond Jewelers for a relaxing spa evening. Your spa session includes trying out for FREE, cleansers, masks, exfoliants, moisturizers and much more! You must reserve your spot by calling the store at 952-442-4161.

TCO Waconia Grand Opening

Thursday, November 14 | 5:30-7:30PM

Twin Cities Orthopedics

820 Village Way, Waconia

We’d like to welcome you to the Grand Opening of this new location from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Thursday, November 14th. Ribbon cutting is scheduled for 6:00PM.

This free, family-friendly event is open to the public. The evening will feature an autograph session with former Minnesota Vikings star Ben Leber and a chance to win exclusive Vikings memorabilia. Enjoy live sports performance training sessions featuring local athletes, family-friendly arts and crafts, or a guided tour with TCO staff for a behind-the-scenes look at everything the new facility has to offer. The first 100 guests will walk away with a swag bag packed with surprises. 

Laketown Gym Hiring Parkour & Ninja Instructors

We are looking for a Parkour & Ninja coach to add to our evolving program! While experience is helpful, we just signed on with an amazing training resource that can teach you all you need to know! A perfect part-time opportunity for those who love working with kids of all ages in a fun and evolving space. Interested? Reach out to Bri at 952-368-3547 or brianne@laketowngym.org. Candidates must be 15 or older.