Maynard’s Restaurant in Excelsior is known for its waterside views, magnificent setting and delicious food (why, hello there, walleye fingers with house-made tartar sauce). But this local joint also prides itself on giving back to the community it serves.
Take, for example, its interest in local sports. An event this past February gave 100 percent (yes, 100 percent) of the proceeds to the Minnetonka football, baseball and softball fields.
“We feel that the youth are the backbone in the community,” says owner Tom Stevens, who adds that the restaurant has a huge interest in local schools, sports and activities. “They are our bright future—it’s up to us to help them.”
Maynard’s also sponsored Excelsior’s pond hockey tournament in January, benefitting Defending the Blue Line, an organization that helps children of military members afford the costs of playing hockey.
Established in 1998, Maynard’s Restaurant in Excelsior sits on a historic piece of property: The same land was used by the Excelsior Amusement Park for nearly 50 years. In 2005, Maynard’s opened a second location in Rogers, which also serves that local community. In December, Maynard’s of Rogers donated 100 percent of their daily sales to the CROSS food shelf, serving families living in the northwest metro.
