Have you ever thought about your community as a garden? We think the metaphor works pretty well. To a certain extent, a community (like a garden) is planned, or has parameters. Your community might be your city or your neighborhood; maybe it’s your school district or your church family; it might even be smaller, like your book club or your coffee klatch, or your fellow business owners on main street. Communities need attention and love to grow and flourish: a sprinkle of person-to-person connection (like water), the shine of media coverage or marketing for businesses (like sunlight), and solid, nourishing infrastructure and foundations (like soil).
In this special edition of Lake Minnetonka Magazine, we get to highlight some of the ways our communities have grown this year, and celebrate the Lake Minnetonka area—the businesses you voted for that represent the best of the best. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Best of Lake Minnetonka awards! We’re happy to be in this garden with you.
FOOD
Best Patio Dining
Maynards
Runners-up: CōV Wayzata, 6Smith
Best Restaurant
Birch’s on the Lake
Runners-up: Maynards, Bellecour
Best Tavern/Bar/Brewery
Excelsior Brewing Co.
Runners-up: McCormick’s Pub & Restaurant, Unmapped Brewing Co.
READ MORE: A Year in Beer: Annual Events at Excelsior Brewing Co.
Best Breakfast
Original Pancake House, Minnetonka
Runners-up: Maggie’s Family Restaurant, Hazellewood Grill and Tap Room
HOME & GARDEN
Best Builder
John Kraemer & Sons
Runners-up: Lecy Bros., Stonewood
Courtesy of John Kraemer & Sons
Best Remodeler
Lecy Bros.
Runners-up: Stonewood, Christian Builders & Remodelers
Best Nursery/Garden Center
Tonkadale Greenhouse
Runners-up: Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping, Twin Orchards Nursery
Best Home Furnishings Store
The Sitting Room
Runners-up: Five Swans, Gray Home + Lifestyle
Best Interior Designer
The Sitting Room
Runners-up: Lakeshore Interiors, Grace Hill Design
Best Landscape Designer
Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping
Runners-up: Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens, Yardscapes
Courtesy of Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping
Best Senior Living Residence
Lake Minnetonka Shores
Runners-up: Trouvaille Memory Care Suites (formerly Beehive Homes of Excelsior), Folkestone
READ MORE: Lake Minnetonka's Best Senior Living Residence By the Numbers
WELLNESS
Best Fitness Studio/Yoga Studio/Gym
The Marsh
Runners-up: The Barre, Wayzata, FitHaus. Long Lake
READ MORE: The Marsh Helps Lake Minnetonka's Residents 'Keep Doing What They Love'
Best Dental Practice
Wayzata Family Dentistry
Runners-up: Park Dental, Minnetonka, Lake Minnetonka Dental
READ MORE: A Q&A with Lake Minnetonka's Best Dental Practice
Best Orthodontic Practice
Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics, Minnetonka
Runners-up: Kottemann Orthodontics, Orono, Ovation! Orthodontics, Minnetonka
Best Pediatric Practice
Wayzata Children’s Clinic, Minnetonka
Runners-up: Park Nicollet Clinic, Carlson Parkway, South Lake Pediatrics, Minnetonka
Best Dermatology Practice
Park Nicollet Clinic, Carlson Parkway
Runners-up: Zel Skin & Laser Specialists, Plymouth, Ridgeview Clinic, Excelsior
Best Chiropractic Practice
The Brost Clinic
Runners-up: Excelsior Chiropractic, Knewtson Health Group
Best Medspa
LivSkin MedSpa
Runners-up: Wayzata Cosmetic Surgery & Spa, Wayzata Medical Spa
Best Salon/Spa
Juut Salon Spa, Wayzata
Runners-up: Mérite House of Beauty, Bella on The Bay
Best Eye Practice
Minnesota Eye Consultants, Minnetonka
Runners-up: Northwest Eye, Minnetonka, Excelsior Eye Care
Photo by Tate Carlson
RETAIL
Best Apparel Boutique
General Store of Minnetonka
Runners-up: Evereve, Wayzata, Ooh La La
Best Gift Shop
General Store of Minnetonka
Runners-up: Five Swans, Ooh La La
Best Florist
Tonkadale Greenhouse
Runners-up: Excelsior Florist, Bayside Floral & Gifts
READ MORE: Tonkadale Greenhouse Answers Your Houseplant How-tos
Best Specialty Foods/Kitchen Store
Kolwalski’s Market, Excelsior
Runners-up: Lunds & Byerlys, Wayzata, Lakewinds Food Co-op, Minnetonka
Photo by Phil Aarrestad Photography
KIDS, PETS & LAW
Best Learning/Tutoring Center
Sylvan Learning of Minnetonka
Runners-up: College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors, Excelsior, Mathnasium, Minnetonka
Best Place for Kids’ Activities
Big Thrill Factory
Runners-up: Minnetonka Community Education, North Shore Gymnastics Association
Courtesy of Big Thrill Factory
Best Doggy Daycare/Kennel
Adogo Pet Hotels, Minnetonka
Runners-up: Top Dog Country Club, Woofington Luxury Petite Dog Resort & Spa
Best Private Preschool/Childcare
St. David’s Center
Runners-up: Wayzata Community Church Nursery School, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School Pre-K
Courtesy of St. David's Center
Best Veterinary Practice
Long Lake Veterinary Clinic
Runners-up: Excelsior Animal Hospital, Westonka Animal Hospital
Best Law Firm
Wayzata Law Group
Runners-up: Excelsior Law Firm, Sanford, Pierson, Thone & Strean
READ MORE: Our Community's Best Law Firm Dispels Common Lawyer Cliche
