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Hotsy Minnesota Celebrates 50 Years in Business...............................................2
Blaine Businesses Recognized in 2026 Minnesota’s Best Awards....................3
AKA Sport Receives Support from 3M Open and PGA Tour Wives Association A Blaine organization is seeing the impact of the 3M Open continue well beyond tournament week. AKA SPORT, a Blaine nonprofit that provides sports, recreation, and activity programs for children and families, received support from the 3M Open as part of the 2026 Golf That Matters campaign.
What’s Taking Shape at 109th and Lexington..............................................4
AKA SPORT also received a donation from the PGA TOUR Wives Association, which has designated AKA SPORT as one of its outreach organizations connected with the 3M Open. During tournament week, AKA SPORT hosted members of the PGA TOUR Wives Association along with AKA scholarship recipients and campers at Victory Links Golf Course for a morning of golf, games, and activities. The connection continued throughout tournament week through a partnership involving AKA SPORT, The PARC, and the 3M Open. The PARC provided a place for PGA TOUR players, spouses, and professional caddies to recover and recharge during their time in Blaine.
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The 3M Open has made community impact a central part of the tournament since it began in Blaine. Through the 3M Open Fund and its Golf That Matters efforts, the tournament has supported nonprofits and programs serving youth and families throughout the Twin Cities. AKA SPORT’s connection to the tournament is a great example of how hosting a major sporting event can create opportunities for local organizations long after the final putt drops. POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL
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For AKA SPORT, the support is about more than a donation. It helps provide opportunities for local kids to participate in sports, build confidence, learn new skills, and stay active.
ECRWSS City of Blaine 10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine MN 55449
The support helps further AKA SPORT’s mission of keeping kids active and making sports and recreation accessible to children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. AKA SPORT provides programs throughout the year, including summer camps, after-school programs, and school release day events. They also provide scholarships for families who need financial assistance.
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Hotsy Minnesota Celebrating 50 Year in Business For 50 years, Hotsy Minnesota has been helping Minnesota businesses keep their equipment, facilities, and operations clean and running smoothly.
Community Development 10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine MN 55449 763-784-6700
Sheila Sellman Community Development Director 763-785-6198 SSellman@BlaineMN.gov
Founded in 1976, Hotsy Minnesota is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. The company’s main location is in Blaine, where its team provides commercial and industrial pressure washers, parts, equipment, service, and cleaning solutions to customers throughout Minnesota. While pressure washers may seem like a straightforward product, Hotsy Minnesota serves businesses and organizations that depend on their cleaning equipment to keep operations moving. Its customers include public works departments, airports, police and fire departments, highway and transit facilities, as well as private-sector businesses. The company offers both hot and cold water pressure washers, along with trailer and skid mounted systems, and customized wash-bay systems. Hotsy Minnesota also provides installation, ongoing maintenance, and repair including on-site service throughout the state. Service has remained a major part of the company’s business. Hotsy Minnesota’s technicians work both in the shop and at customer locations, and the company offers scheduled maintenance programs designed to identify problems before equipment goes down. It also stocks hundreds of parts and accessories to help customers get equipment back in service quickly.
Ruth Tucker Economic Development Specialist 763-717-2778 RTucker@BlaineMN.gov
The business has continued to grow while maintaining its Minnesota roots. Hotsy Minnesota is now a veteranowned and operated company with locations in Blaine and Baxter. The company describes its Blaine location as its main shop and says the two locations allow it to provide service and support to more customers across the state.
Erik Thorvig City Manager 763-785-6120 EThorvig@BlaineMN.gov
After five decades in business, Hotsy Minnesota’s anniversary is a milestone worth celebrating. Not just for the company, but for the employees, customers, and Minnesota businesses that have been part of its story.
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Congratulations to Hotsy Minnesota on 50 years in business!
Local Business Community Continues to Grow Blaine welcomed a variety of new businesses and expanded operations this spring and summer, adding new restaurants, retailers, services, entertainment options, and financial institutions throughout the community. Asia Village 301 Northtown Drive NE A 130,000-square-foot destination at Northtown Mall featuring international dining, shopping, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
nVent 10400 Naples Street NE A global manufacturer of electrical connection and protection products that expanded its Blaine operations with a new facility.
Cairo Café 772 County Highway 10 A family-owned Egyptian café serving specialty coffee, crepes, kunafa, feteer, and other Egyptian-inspired treats.
Pho An Vietnamese Cuisine 10340 Baltimore Street NE, Suite 170 A Vietnamese restaurant serving pho, bánh mì, and other traditional Vietnamese favorites.
Chocolate Chime 1450 - 109th Avenue NE A dessert destination serving Belgian waffles, crepes, chocolate creations, matcha, coffee, and specialty drinks. Dirty Sota Pop 10635 Ulysses Street NE, Unit 500 A Blaine-based business offering a large variety of dirty soda drinks. Hibachi Grill & Sushi 12341 Aberdeen Street NE, Suite 100 A Japanese restaurant offering made-to-order hibachi, sushi, yakisoba, and other Asian favorites. Egg Flip 4369 Ball Road NE (inside Walmart) Is buyingA property Minnesota based fast casual restaurant serving the rightKorean move style egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, bowls, and other options. for your business? Ideal Credit Union
Open to10777 Business canNEhelp! Austin Street Is buying property the right move for yourForbusiness? more information:
www.opentobusinessmn.org Open to Business can help!
OR call the Anoka County office at 763-438-7315
Our free, confidential advisors can assist you in moreprice, information: evaluating For a purchase comparing ownership BlaineMN.gov/OpentoBusinessMN vs. leasing costs, and connecting you to financing OR call the Anoka County office resources. Open to Business can also often provide at 612-843-3270 gap financing to keep equity requirements manageable. Whether you are negotiating a purchase, refinancing a contract for deed, or just exploring your options, Open to Business can help.
Our free, confidential advisors can assist in branch serving Blaine A new full-service credityou union evaluating a purchase price, ownership residents andcomparing businesses. vs. leasing costs, and connecting you to financing MAC Kitchen resources. Open to Business can also often provide 2331 - 108th Lane NE, Suite 130 gap financing to keep equity requirements manA Vietnamese restaurant serving a variety of traditional ageable. Whether you are negotiating a purchase, contemporary Asian dishes. refinancing a and contract for deed, or just exploring Al Mocha your options,Mocha Open to House BusinessBayt can help.
10950 Club West Parkway NE, Suite 166 A café offering coffee, tea, and specialty beverages in a relaxed setting.
Protein House 2180 - 105th Avenue NE, Suite 120 A healthy fast-casual restaurant serving fresh, proteinpacked meals, smoothies, and meal-prep options. School of Rock 1420 - 109th Avenue NE A performance-based music school offering private lessons, group rehearsals, and live performance opportunities for kids, teens and adults. Scissors Barber Shop 10809 University Avenue NE, Suite 240 A neighborhood barber shop offering classic cuts, scissor cuts, and professional fades. Stella’s Blaine 4365 Pheasant Ridge Drive NE A new restaurant and bar serving food and drinks in the former Lucy’s Burger location. The August Room 4255 Pheasant Ridge Drive NE, Suite 308 A salon, self-care space, and boutique offering hair services, beauty products, clothing, jewelry, home goods, and gifts. Thumos 1630 - 91st Avenue NE A fitness and wellness community focused on strength, personal growth, and building healthy habits. TruStone Financial Credit Union 11866 Aberdeen Street NE A new full-service credit union branch offering personal and business financial services.
Fall 2026
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Blaine Businesses Recognized in 2026 Minnesota’s Best Awards Blaine businesses continue to make their mark across the Twin Cities, with 28 local businesses earning recognition in the 2026 Minnesota’s Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This year’s honorees represent a wide range of businesses and services, from restaurants and fitness centers to healthcare providers, childcare centers, financial institutions, retailers, and more. Several Blaine businesses also continued impressive award streaks, including businesses earning their fifth or sixth consecutive Minnesota’s Best recognition.
Blaine Business Council
Congratulations to all of the Blaine businesses recognized in this year’s awards! Anoka County Library System Bronze — Best Public Library
Metro Dentalcare Bronze — Best Dentistry
Blaze Credit Union Gold — Best Mortgage Services, Best Credit Union, Best Customer Service, Best Financial Services Customer Service, and Best Wealth Management
MGM Wine & Spirits Gold — Best THC, Hemp or CBD Store
Cedar Creek Energy Bronze — Best Residential Solar Energy Provider and Best Commercial Solar Energy Provider
New Creations Childcare & Learning Center Bronze — Best Childcare
Cheapo Discs Bronze — Best Record Store Cheung’s Tailor Alterations Bronze — Best Custom Tailoring or Alterations Chuck & Don’s Pet Food & Supplies Gold — Best Pet Store/Supply Sixth consecutive Gold award Crisp & Green Bronze — Best Salad Sixth consecutive Best of Minnesota recognition Crunch Fitness Bronze — Best Training Gym and Best Fitness Center Fifth consecutive Best of Minnesota recognition Cub Foods Gold — Best Bakery, Best Donuts, Best Grocery Store, Best Grocery & Retail Customer Service, Best Liquor Store and Best Seafood Retailer Bronze — Best Catering Kwik Trip Silver — Best Late Night Eats Leeann Chin Gold — Best Chinese Restaurant Magnifi Financial Gold — Best Ag Lender; Silver, Best Credit Union, Best Mortgage Services, Best Financial Services Customer Service and Best Financial Institution – Central Minnesota Bronze — Best Wealth Management Menards Bronze — Best Hardware Store
Nautical Bowls Silver — Best Vegetarian Food
New Horizons Academy Bronze — Best Preschool North Memorial Health Silver — Best Cancer Treatment Center and Best Men’s Health Bronze — Best Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic
Do you want to connect with other Blaine businesses and hear about updates in the community? The Blaine Business Council is open to all Blaine businesses and is held quarterly at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. The meetings start at 7:30AM. No RSVP is necessary, and we hope you can attend. 2027 Blaine Business Council Dates January 21 | April 22 July 8 | October 28 For more information, visit the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce at MetroNorthChamber.org.
Park Dental Gold — Best Dentistry Pet Supplies Plus Bronze — Best Pet Store/Supply Sora Therapy Bronze — Best Speech Therapy TC Med Spa Bronze — Best Spa The Goddard School Silver — Best Childcare and Best Preschool The Tipsy Steer Gold — Best Tacos Silver — Best Frozen Treat or Ice Cream Bronze — Best Fries and Best Pizza Tumble Fresh Coin Laundry Gold — Best Laundromat Sixth consecutive Gold award Twin Cities Heating, Air & Electric Silver — Best Water Treatment Walter’s Recycling & Refuse Gold — Best Waste Disposal or Recycling Bronze — Best Customer Service For a list of businesses in Blaine, visit BlaineMN.gov/BusinessListing.
nVent Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Blaine Global Electrical Manufacturer Adds Two Facilities and Hundreds of Jobs in Blaine This spring, nVent celebrated the grand opening of its newest Minnesota manufacturing facility at 10400 Naples Street Northeast in Blaine. The company has since announced a second Blaine facility is expected to open in 2027 at the nearby Lexington Preserve Business Park. Together, the two locations will bring a total of more than 275,000 square feet of manufacturing space and hundreds of new jobs to the City. nVent is a global electrical manufacturing company that connects and protects mission-critical infrastructure around the world. In Blaine, nVent is manufacturing liquid cooling solutions, supporting the surging demand for liquid cooling technologies. The expansion marks a significant milestone for nVent in Minnesota and reflects the company’s continued global growth. While nVent employs more than 13,000 people across 32 countries, more than 2,500 of those employees work across the company’s Minnesota manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters in St. Louis Park. As nVent grows in Blaine, so does the opportunity to join its team. nVent has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® and holds a Great Place to Work® Certification™. Explore career opportunities in Blaine at nVent.com/Careers.
Discover What’s Happening in Blaine Explore Our Interactive Development Map Stay in the know about all the exciting developments in Blaine! The interactive development map allows residents to easily access up-to-date information about 3 ongoing projects throughout the City. Whether you are curious about new businesses, buildings, or residential developments, this tool provides detailed insights on each project, including location, status, and expected timelines. Simply visit BlaineMN.gov/DevelopmentMap to explore the map and click on specific projects for more details. It’s a great way to stay informed, get involved, and see how Blaine is growing and evolving. Check it out today and keep up with the progress happening in your community.
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The Village of Blaine Shopping Center Has a New Owner
What’s Taking Shape at 109th and Lexington A new commercial development is taking shape at the northwest corner of 109th Avenue and Lexington Avenue NE. Construction is underway on a new 13,800-square-foot multi-tenant building that will bring new dining and professional services to the North Meadows area. Frana Companies is constructing the project, which has two confirmed tenants: Paris Baguette and Hope Veterinary Care. Paris Baguette will bring its internationally recognized bakery and café concept to Blaine, offering freshly baked breads and pastries along with cakes, sandwiches, coffee, and other café favorites. The new location will give residents another option for grabbing breakfast, meeting for coffee, or picking up something sweet. Hope Veterinary Care will provide veterinary services for Blaine-area pet owners, bringing convenient access to veterinary care within the growing commercial district. The new building is another step in the continued development of the 109th Avenue and Lexington Avenue area. North Meadows has evolved into a mixed-use neighborhood with a combination of housing, restaurants, retail, medical services, and other businesses. This latest development continues that growth by adding new businesses and services to an increasingly active part of the community. As construction continues, the new center will bring more businesses to Blaine and give residents another reason to stop at 109th and Lexington.
Blaine Business You May Not Know Animal Ortho Care Meet Animal Ortho Care, a Blaine company that creates custom orthopedic solutions for animals. Animal Ortho Care specializes in custom braces, prosthetics, and mobility products for pets. The company is particularly known for custom dog knee braces, along with back braces, pet wheelchairs, and other products designed to help animals with mobility challenges. Animal Ortho Care works with pet owners and veterinary professionals to develop orthopedic solutions based on an animal’s individual needs. The company also offers on-site casting appointments for customers who need assistance with the process of creating a custom brace. Located at 8611 West 35W Service Drive NE, Suite 160, Animal Ortho Care is helping pets get back on their feet, sometimes literally.
University of St. Thomas Bringing Entrepreneurship Program to Blaine The University of St. Thomas will bring its Community Entrepreneurship Program to Blaine, giving local entrepreneurs an opportunity to build practical skills for starting and growing a business. The six-week Saturday intensive bootcamp combines hands-on training with mentorship pods and student consulting. Participants will work on the practical aspects of running a business, including: •
Website and Brand Development
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Financial Planning and Bookkeeping Systems
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Marketing Strategy and Customer Engagement
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Business Model Development and Operations
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Hiring, Pricing, and Growth Strategy
The program is designed to give entrepreneurs practical tools they can put to work in their businesses, while also connecting them with mentors and other business owners. Additional information about the program, including registration details, will be available as plans are finalized.
The Village of Blaine Shopping Center at Lexington Avenue and I-35W has a new owner. First Washington Realty recently acquired the 220,685 square foot grocery-anchored shopping center as part of its expansion into the Midwest. The Village of Blaine is anchored by Cub Foods and includes a mix of national retailers, restaurants ,and local businesses. Current tenants include Michaels, At Home, Maurices, Five Below, Dollar Tree, Bath & Body Works, Applebee’s, Caribou Coffee, Misono Sushi & Asian Bistro, Great Clips, Sport Clips, Stella’s, and several other businesses and service providers. First Washington Realty specializes in neighborhood shopping centers, with a portfolio of open-air retail properties across the country. The company said The Village of Blaine fits its focus on shopping centers that serve as everyday destinations for groceries, dining, services, and other necessities. The center sees approximately 3.3 million visits each year and benefits from its location, as well as its proximity to major Blaine destinations including the National Sports Center, TPC Twin Cities, and Aveda’s corporate headquarters. The acquisition adds an established Blaine retail destination to First Washington Realty’s portfolio while bringing a new owner and retail investment company to the local business community.
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