Eden Prairie, MN October 2023

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Our Food and Drink Issue: Always a Treat

Food, glorious food!

We're anxious to try it. Three banquets a day –Our favourite diet! – Oliver!

Hello Eden Prairie Lifestyle Readers,

What are the three things no one can live without? That’s right: food, drink, and magazines. That’s why this issue of Eden Prairie Lifestyle is the most essential of the entire year!

In this issue we are proud to feature Amalia Moreno-Damgaard. Eden Prairie’s award-winning cookbook writer, public speaker, culinary consultant and brand ambassador welcomed us to her beautiful home where she treated us to her stew and her story. Read on to discover how Amalia is keeping Latin American culture alive!

Where should you dine in Eden Prairie next? That all depends, dear reader. If you’re in the mood for peerless Texas-style ribs and brisket, then we aren’t blowing smoke when we wholeheartedly recommend Baker’s Ribs. If the day calls for steak and sushi – as so many days so often do – then you’re sure to get your kicks at Kona Grill. And when only a woodfired pizza or rotisserie chicken would hit the spot, Tavern 4&5 has your table ready. It is not pure coincidence that these fine local restaurants are all showcased on the following pages. If you would like to cut out the middleman by buying your own restaurant (or any other type of business), Murphy Business will help make your exciting new venture a resounding success.

We couldn’t think of a way to tie our remaining stories to this month’s theme. Just consider them food for thought. We have Josie Patterson – Helgeson Platzke Real Estate Group’s longest-standing Realtor – who is standing by to make selling your home as convenient as it is lucrative. Finally, we are honored to share a touching account of breast cancer survivorship by Lynette Wiest of Yetzer Home Store.

As always, I would like to thank all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s sponsors, without whose generous support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’ homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in appearing on our magazine’s pages!

Best regards,

JOHN LEE, PUBLISHER @EDEN_PRAIRIE_LIFESTYLE

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October 2023

PUBLISHER

John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bill Scheller

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Emily John, Pete Rose

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

Proverbs 3:5-6

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A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

EAT, DRINK PLAY MINI GOLF

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High Score Joins Eden Prairie Center

Video games and vintage collectibles have arrived at Eden Prairie Center! Go and see High Score: a father-andson business that offers everything from current gen consoles to Atari classics. Browse systems, toys, games and more dating back to the ‘70s, including Transformers and an extensive selection of Pokémon cards. Enter in-store tournaments for Super Smash Brothers, Pokémon, and other games of skill and finesse. High Score resurfaces discs so they’re like new –just $3! highscorevideogames.com

Let’s Roar Joins Eden Prairie Center

Activewear and gold-plated jewelry for a cause! Eden Prairie Center’s newest fashion destination offers its own brand of stylish activewear for both men and women, as well as goldplated stainless steel jewelry that will not tarnish – perfect for looking glam while you’re working out. Let’s Roar sources its unique jewelry from Cebu, the island of the Philippines where the owner was born. The veteran-owned business donates 10 percent of its sales to Protect Our Defenders. letsroar.shop

T.S. Home Studio Joins Eden Prairie Center

Hand-poured soy candles. Fun candle making classes. It could only be T.S. Home Studio – new to Eden Prairie Center! Stop by for handpoured wood-wick soy candles, wax melts and warmers, room sprays and reed diffusers that will brighten up your home. It’s all non-toxic, phthalate-free and dye-free. The husbandand-wife business also offers illuminating candle making classes. Send the kids, or book the whole store for a private candle making par-tay! tshomestudio.com

The Wellness Way Cuts the Ribbon

Dr. Patrick Flynn, D.C. founded The Wellness Way with a mission: to champion the importance of health to the world while inspiring hope through health restoration. He and his team believe no one but you should be making health care decisions for your family. Find the missing piece to your health! Visit thewellnessway.com to learn how The Wellness Way can help you heal from fatigue, heart disease, joint and muscle pain, mood disorders and much more.

Flying Dutchman Spirits Cuts the Ribbon

Eden Prairie’s craft distillery: now a member of the chamber of commerce! Visit Flying Dutchman Spirits’ beautiful cocktail lounge for indescribably good restoratives made with Mediterráneo Gin, Fontera Norte 100% Blue Agave, Sailor’s Rantsoen Rum, Nas-Drov-Via Vodka, and other fine spirits that are distilled right in view. Tantalizing cocktails, live music, scrumptious bites, and a spacious patio – bliss! Flying Dutchman also offers takehome cocktail kits so you can always observe five o’clock properly. flyingdutchmanspirits.com

Deka Lash Cuts the Ribbon

Feel confident and refreshed with every blink when you choose Deka Lash’s trained and certified Lash Artists to create your perfect look! See why Deka Lash is ranked #1 in Lash & Brow Services by Entrepreneur Magazine. Make an appointment for lash extensions, brow services – or both – at their posh open concept studio right here in Eden Prairie. Curious which lash style looks best on you? Visit dekalash.com for the Virtual Lash Extension Try-On experience!

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

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Amalia MORENO-DAMGAARD

“My grandma was divorced. Never remarried. To survive she ran a variety store in our hometown of Quezaltepeque, Chiquimula, Guatemala,” said Amalia Moreno-Damgaard. She spoke to me, my fiancée, and this fine magazine’s publisher, all seated at the cooktop kitchen island in her Eden Prairie home. The writer, public speaker, culinary consultant and brand ambassador knows how to assemble a crowd. She only has to promise to cook.

“Many of my grandma’s customers lived in small villages on the outskirts of town. Every Thursday and Friday they’d come to sell loads of fresh vegetables, crabs from the river, squealing piglets, and other good things bundled in banana leaves. She’d sell them beans, sugar, buttons, shoes, clay pots, decorative candles for church, and children’s clothes and indigenous wedding dresses she had sewn herself.

“I was raised by my grandma. She taught me how to shop. How to bargain. How to use her Singer, rocking my feet in tune to the stitching. But most importantly, she taught me sazón: the intrinsic art of seasoning all foods well. It is cooking by taste, by insight, using the same techniques, cookware and ingredients Guatemalans have used since Mayan times … and probably even longer.”

CONTINUED >

Amalia’s ancestors would not have recognized her stainless steel pot, or the ring of blue fire pulsing under it. But they would have known what she was cooking: Jocón, a green stew made of tomatillo, onion, poblano, serrano and chile, thickened with corn tortilla.

“The ingredients in Guatemalan cuisine were once limited to plants and animals native to the region,” said Amalia, who, having removed the chicken thighs from the pot, now began homogenizing its contents with an immersion blender. “The arrival of the Spaniards created a new hybrid culture. There were good and bad things about the exchange, of course, but I choose to focus on the good: the chicken, and the garlic, and the spices, and the culinary traditions the Spaniards had learned under 800 years of Moorish rule. All these new things combined with the old to create Latin America’s contemporary cuisine. That’s the history – the culture – I want to share with the world.”

And shared Amalia has. She has written two cookbooks: Amalia’s Guatemalan Kitchen and Amalia’s Mesoamerican Table, the latter of which was just recently named “Best in the World” at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Umeå, Sweden. She appears as a regular guest on MPR, WCCO, Fox9, Kare11, KSTP, Telemundo and Univision. She has taught cooking classes at Cooks of Crocus Hill, Kitchen Window, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Nordic Ware and The Good Acre. She has also partnered with innumerable Fortune 500 companies, professional organizations, non-profits and schools in the Twin Cities and beyond. It is all part of her mission to close the awareness gap and promote a deeper understanding of Latin cultural nuances throughout the United States.

“My philosophy on cooking is simple,” said Amalia, now agitating a pan of seasoned rice with

the blade of a silicone spatula. “Fresh. Healthy. Delicious. Simple. I’ve trained at Le Cordon Bleu. I’ve visited over 80 countries across every continent for fun and to study their culinary traditions. I’ve learned many recipes known only to grandmas living in remote villages in Latin America. For all of that research, I have learned that all great food shares the same four things in common: it is fresh, healthy, delicious and simple.”

Amalia spooned the rice into a ring-shaped mold, creating a neat column that didn’t collapse beneath the weight of the brilliant green Jocón. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro completed the dish. “Try this,” she invited, passing the dish to me.

It tasted like home. Not mine, but the one Amalia holds dear.

“I remember the smell of the kerosene lamps we lit whenever the electricity went out,” said Amalia. “The way they would cast their flickering light across the kitchen. The volcanic stone mortars and pestles. The little ovens made of clay and hay. Everything we needed to make food that still stays in my head, my heart and my palate. That expression of my grandma’s love guides me to this day. It’s why I call her my North Star.

“There are things in this world which must be saved for future generations. Food – that most fundamental expression of culture, which tells us where we came from – must be preserved, especially now that so few people know how to cook like their grandmas.”

I finished my Jocón, thanked Amalia profusely, looked up at the Mayan calendar hanging on the wall and realized it was time to go. On the drive home I thought of a kitchen that once existed in New Jersey, where an old Italian woman wearing a muumuu used to bake pies for me.

Please visit amaliallc.com to learn more about Amalia, including how you can engage her services.

“I was raised by my grandma. She taught me how to shop. How to bargain. How to use her Singer, rocking my feet in tune to the stitching. But most importantly, she taught me sazón: the intrinsic art of seasoning all foods well.”

138 Lewis Street South 952-445-3735

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BAKER'S RIBS

An Art, Not a Science

ARTICLE BY BILL SCHELLER

Pick a soda from the bathtub, line up at the counter, and decide what you’re going to eat.

You’re at Baker’s Ribs, where that ice-filled tub of soft drinks is the offbeat introduction to a place filled with pig memorabilia of every two- and threedimensional description, a shrine to swine. The porkers ornament rooms festooned with signs advertising long-gone products, an American Pickers realm where time seems to have stood still. CONTINUED >

Al Killion, owner

And time – measured here in long, slow hours – is the menu’s hidden ingredient.

Baker’s Ribs, Eden Prairie’s outpost of a Texas temple of barbecue, built its reputation on top-quality St. Louis-style pork ribs, beef brisket, pork butt, chicken and turkey. But matching meat with the flavor of smoke is all a matter of time.

“We put our brisket and pork butt in the pit between four and six in the afternoon,” says Al Killion, pitmaster and Eden Prairie franchisee of Dallas-based Baker’s, “and they won’t be ready to serve until mid-morning the next day.”

Time, and the experience that comes with it, have been key to Al’s career. He’s been in the barbecue business since he started working at the original Dallas location in 1991, two years before launching the Eden Prairie restaurant (and about as long as he’s been collecting all things pig). What he doesn’t know about Texas barbecue just might not matter.

What sets Texas barbecue apart from other regional traditions? “Texas style means all the cooking is done over smoke,” says Al, “and the sauce is tomato-based. In the Carolinas, they use mustard and vinegar in their sauce. And Kansas City barbecue is finished on the grill after smoking.”

That all-important smoke comes from oak logs, slowly smoldering below the shelves holding the meat in a big temperature-controlled smoker called a “pit,” in a nod to barbecue’s earthy origins. “Overnight, we keep the temperature down to 250 or 275 degrees,” Al explains. “Then to finish smoking in the morning, we put it back up to 325.” Daytime is when Baker’s St. Louis-style ribs smoke. They don’t need as much time in the pit – four hours or so will do.

How to regulate such a seemingly primitive process? It starts with “green” wood, whole and split logs that haven’t lost their inner moisture. “When we leave at night, we put a few pieces of green split oak over the coals remaining from the day before. Then we put a round log on top. The coals help heat up the log and get it smoking. Because of the green log, it’s

a controlled burn that produces smoke.” During the day, if a hotter fire is needed, Al and his assistants will toss in a few pieces of dry split wood. Bringing the pit temperature up and down is made possible by dampers activated by an electric thermostat – the more air let in, the hotter the smoldering fire. Thermostats and dampers aside, though, good barbecue takes a watchful eye. “It’s an art, not a science,” Al maintains.

The wood Al uses is oak. “If we were further south, we’d use hickory, but hickory doesn’t grow up here,” Al points out. “You use what you have. And oak gives the meat a good taste.” All that oak is stored right on the premises, where just about everything in the Baker’s operation takes place. “The only thing we don’t do here is cut up the cabbage for the coleslaw – all the prep work for our sides is done in house.” Along with slaw, those sides include smoky baked beans, rotini pasta salad, baked potatoes, dilled potato salad, dirty rice, and garden, Caesar and tomato basil salads. And since this is Texas barbecue, there’s always Texas toast.

With the holidays approaching, Al and his crew will be smoking plenty of turkeys and hams to fill special orders for Thanksgiving and Christmas. “For a 12- to 14-pound turkey, we smoke at least four hours, maybe five or five-and-a-half,” says Al. “The skin gets a nice mahogany color – like a lacquered mahogany finish on furniture.” Hams get a longer stay in the pit. “A whole ham smokes all night, at least nine hours, on the upper shelf where the temperature is lower. We put half hams on the higher shelf, for a shorter time. Either way, the taste is wonderful. Sometimes, your tongue will tingle from the smoke. It’s hard to describe.”

Baker’s Ribs is open for dining in and takeout 11am to 8pm Tuesday through Saturday. Baker’s accepts catering orders, along with advance orders for holiday turkeys and hams. “Ideally, orders for Thanksgiving turkeys should be placed during the first couple of weeks in November,” Al advises. “That’s the best way to get one of the local organic turkeys we like to use.”

8019 Glen Lane, Eden Prairie • (952) 942-5822 • bakersribsmn.com

“What Al doesn’t know about Texas barbecue just might not matter.”

Flying Cloud Airport supports the local community

Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) plays a vital role for Eden Prairie and surrounding communities as well as the Metropolitan Airports Commission’s (MAC) seven airport system, which includes Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

The MAC’s second busiest airport, Flying Cloud supports more than 1,100 local jobs, helping the region’s vibrant business community thrive.

Tavern 4&5

Eden Prairie’s Neighborhood Hangout for the Last 10 Years

Comfort. For the hundreds of years they have existed, comfort has always been taverns’ main attraction. Whether they expect it in the food, the drink or the ambiance, a tavern goer seeks comfort at their destination.

Now that Minnesota’s less congenial weather lurks around the corner, knowing where to find comfort in Eden Prairie is more imperative than ever. Fortunately, knowing this is easy. Comfort is in unlimited supply at Tavern 4&5: from the delicious food to

the enlightened hospitality of the staff to the casual but welcoming ambiance.

Comfort food is what Tavern 4&5 does best. From woodfired pizzas to signature rotisserie chickens to delicious appetizers and inspired salads, burgers and sandwiches, there is something sure to please almost any palate for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If the bar is also a part of your comfort zone, they have you covered as well! The bar is front and center when you walk in

the front doors and features an approachable wine list, 20+ beers on tap (including seasonal and rotating craft beer lines) and a fantastic cocktail list including an award-wining bloody Mary and grapefruit rose mule. And they make a mean vodka soda too!

“It has been an amazing 10-plus years as Eden Prairie’s neighborhood hangout,” said Dave Guistolise, Tavern 4&5’s original general manager who currently serves the Nova Restaurant Group as a director of operations. “We just never became complacent and continually evolved what it means to be a ‘tavern’ from a culinary standpoint. We always monitor our guests’ feedback on our food – doing our best to keep familiar favorites but also adding exciting new dishes. If you haven’t dined with us in a while, I invite you to try our new Korean street tacos, garlic smash burger or honey pecan chicken salad. Or stick to one of your familiar (comfortable) favorites like minute chicken, fish and chips, chicken pot pie or tater tots. Whatever you choose, we look forward to seeing you soon, neighbor!”

The “Cheers of Eden Prairie” welcomes you! Visit tavern4and5.com to see Tavern 4&5’s full menu, order online, and learn more about reserving dining space for a private event, or visit 16396 Wagner Way today for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

Kona Grill

AMERICA’S FAVORITE GRILL

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

Eden Prairie is a cosmopolitan suburb. We have sushi that Tokyoites would nod approvingly at. We have steak any Texas oil man would dig. We have craft cocktails that would look right at home on a silver tray in the Hamptons. Why, we even have all these creature comforts in the same upscale casual restaurant. I bet you can guess which one.

Kona Grill is a hip joint – not the kind that aches when it’s about to rain, but the good kind, with stylish, contemporary decor and blue accent lighting that sheds a certain intriguing, sophisticated, bluish ambiance across the dining room.

“This is the height of vibe dining,” said Miranda Hunter, general manager of Kona Grill. “The swankiest restaurant in the southwest metro by a mile, complete with live DJ music until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Whether you come with your family, your friends, a date, a client, or alone, you’ll know you’ve arrived the instant you walk through our door. And once you’ve dined with us, you’ll want to arrive again real soon.”

FIRST COURSE: SUSHI

Little slices of fish that glisten like stained glass. Rolls arranged so prettily that upsetting their arrangement feels almost felonious. These are patents of the prowess of Kona Grill’s sushi chefs – the best in their class, with skills honed as sharply as their knives.

“If you eat fish at Kona Grill, then it must have arrived fresh in our kitchen that same morning,” said Miranda. “Our chefs cut strips right off the filets, prepare them with any number of our 42 house-made sauces, and present them with greater artistry than I’ll ever fully understand. A sushi chef is a magician who works with fish instead of white rabbits.”

Kona Grill serves all of sushi’s greatest hits. Purists can have their sashimi and traditional

rolls. The more adventurous are rewarded with specialty rolls like the fire dragon, which is made with a delicate balance of shrimp tempura, avocado, jalapeño, freshwater eel, furikake and eel sauce, and finally finished at the table by the ignition of a judicious splash of Everclear.

On the off chance that you aren’t specifically craving lightly caramelized eel sauce, try the Yamada roll – recently reimagined with lobster salad and tuna instead of sea bass. And if you prefer the British approach to fish, Kona Grill’s fresh cut and fried cod with chips will delight.

SECOND COURSE: STEAK

“We’re just as particular about steaks and chops as we are fish,” said Miranda. “Our beef is exclusively sourced from Midwest Angus cattle, with the exception of our Wagyu which is raised in Australia. Whether you choose our classic New York strip, our hand-carved Big Island ribeye, or our

prime rib au togarashi jus, you’re going to get a five-star steakhouse’s best cut of meat.”

In a brilliant move, Kona Grill has abandoned the frustrating steakhouse tradition of treating side dishes like luxury add-ons. “All of our steaks are served with potatoes,” explained Miranda, “and for $9 more, you can add an additional side like mac and cheese, seasonal vegetables, pretzel rolls and butter, or sweet chili green beans, among others (unless you opt for our surf and turf, which comes with your choice of shrimp skewer, crab Oscar, or a lobster roll for just $3 more). You can also perfect your steak with one of our signature butters, which we’ll finish right at your table with a blowtorch.”

DESSERT: PERFECTION

Folks, I have traveled the world from St. Cloud to Rochester, and I have yet to discover any desserts better than the following: chocolate cake, carrot cake, butter cake, cheesecake and brownies.

Is it coincidence that Kona Grill serves each and every one of these exquisite delicacies? Not at all. They’re in the exquisite delicacy business.

What’s the best part of lunch? That’s right – the brownie. You get one to take back to the office if you stop by Kona Grill for a 45-minute power lunch, with soup and a sandwich or sushi roll. As you’re already well aware, no amount of precaution can protect a brownie in a company break room. Keep your takeout brownie under close supervision until you can properly attend to it. Tell your boss you need a safe installed in your office, but be vague about the reason why.

DRINKS: I THINK I WILL, THANK YOU

The Watermelon Margarita, with Lunazul tequila, Monin watermelon syrup and lime. The Purple Envy, with Botanist gin, lavender and lemonade. The Patio Bubbles, with New Amsterdam mango vodka, La Marca prosecco, and fresh mango, raspberry and lemon. The Midtown Manhattan, with Bulleit bourbon, passion fruit and sweet vermouth.

While arguably not best enjoyed in one sitting, such delicious and restorative cocktails are all testaments to the mastery of Kona Grill’s mixologists.

The best time to join Kona for a drink? Any time. Saké shots, Kona Big Wave golden ale drafts and Truly Hard Seltzers are just $3 during happy hour. Seven flavors of Konamosas are served during weekend brunch – a world of possibilities to accompany your grilled ribeye and eggs, macadamia nut French toast, or Kona Loco seared Spam sandwich (served in the original can, no less). I love Kona Grill. And you will too! Simply visit 11997 Singletree Lane in Eden Prairie, order takeout or delivery at (952) 941-3262, or whet your appetite by visiting konagrill.com .

Email Miranda at gm.edenprairie@ konagrill.com for an invitation to Kona Grill’s next Instagram influencer menu tasting!

- Bob Parsons, Founder of GoDaddy

Murphy Business

Trusted, Experienced Business Brokers

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

Dan Bauer with fellow Murphy Business brokers

Dan Bauer, business broker

The first rule of making money is simple: don’t waste your time making money. Make business instead. With patience and good management, you will grow your investment in your business – a nice little nest egg that can put you anywhere in the world when you retire. Making business also makes money, of course, but on the best possible terms: yours. A business owner answers only to Uncle Sam, and possibly their teenage daughter if she wants a new car.

Are you thinking about promoting yourself from consumer to producer? Then the odds are already in your favor. You live in the same town as Murphy Business, one of the largest and most successful business brokerage firms in North America.

With 130 offices in 38 states and Canada, a nationwide network of 300 brokers, and three decades of excellence in business transactions, Murphy Business offers the fastest, surest access to an investment opportunity with a steady cash flow. Murphy Business also helps their clients sell their existing businesses – often so they can rededicate their lives to beaches, boats, golf, fishing, grandparenting, and being totally unmoved by the subject of balance sheets.

Dan Bauer walks in the same shoes as his clients. As the son and grandson of Iowan farmers and equipment dealers, he grew up surrounded by business talk. After his service in the United States Air Force, Dan started a car detail shop that blossomed into a portfolio of car washes. Since becoming a business broker in 1997, Dan has completed hundreds of transactions spanning every industry you could name. Today he and his partner Pat Steffl helm Murphy Business of Minnesota.

Ask Dan to share his expertise on identifying a great investment. He’ll meet your request with good old-fashioned Midwest modesty.

“I like to think I know a good investment when I see one,” said Dan. “Intuition is what drew me to Murphy Business in the first place. I recognized it as a truly nationwide business brokerage – one that would give my clients access to profitable businesses not just in their backyards, but also in markets and industries the Twin Cities just can’t offer. If you want to buy a marina on the coast or invest in a thriving economy out of state, Murphy Business’s vast reach will deliver your most lucrative options.

“Murphy Business empowers me to serve the best interests of my buyers. Some are already established in their industry, and want an opportunity where their experience will prove a valuable asset. Some are open to virtually anything that will make them their own boss. Others just want a hands-off turnkey operation, like a car wash or a fast food restaurant; another jewel in the crown of their investment portfolio, if you will. I help all of them circumvent the years of startup and negative cash flow that go hand in hand with building a business from the ground up. Instead they invest in the location, equipment and employees of a business that already exists and is demonstrably profitable.

“Murphy Business’s sellers are putting a lot at stake when they place their trust in us. We earn it by sparing no effort to represent their property as faithfully as possible. I believe Murphy Business’s valuations are the most comprehensive and accurate in the industry. Our 20-page report considers recent sales of

“Intuition is what drew me to Murphy Business in the first place. I recognized it as a truly nationwide business brokerage – one that would give my clients access to profitable businesses not just in their backyards, but also in markets and industries the Twin Cities just can’t offer.”

comparable businesses in the same industry, the seller’s previous three to five years of financials, and countless other details which, considered all together, can have a significant impact on a business’s market value.

“Our report is so exhaustive that it often opens a seller’s eyes to areas where their business is underperforming. That lets them correct course before listing so they can realize even greater profit at closing. Our hyper-focused

marketing campaigns and lightning-fast network of brokers take care of the rest.

“Our office consistently ranks in the top five Murphy Business brokerages nationwide. We have been named top brokerage of the year on two separate occasions since our foundation in 2012. We owe much of our success to Minnesotans’ entrepreneurial spirit, that’s for sure, but we simply couldn’t have earned so many people’s confidence if it weren’t for our great results.”

“Murphy Business empowers me to serve the best interests of my buyers. Some are already established in their industry, and want an opportunity where their experience will prove a valuable asset.”

- Senior Apartments Resident

Featuring:

• Pickleball court

• Fitness center and pool

• Outdoor terraces

• Putting green

• Direct access to walking trails

• Close proximity to Eden Prairie Center and local dining

952-829-6400 | FlagstonePHS.org

8350 Commonwealth Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Equal housing opportunity. All faiths welcome. © 2023 Presbyterian Homes & Services

“I am constantly involved in activities; the big problem is tting them all in.”

Josie Patterson

Helgeson Platzke Real Estate Group’s

Longest-Standing Agent

Helgeson Platzke Real Estate Group – Eden Prairie’s top home seller for over 25 years running. The local brokerage didn’t earn that distinction by accident. Their vast network of motivated buyers, honed marketing strategies, and teamwork that lets each agent’s natural talents shine have all put Helgeson Platzke on the map.

Helgeson Platzke’s namesake agents bring plenty of talent to the table. But in order to become Coldwell Banker’s top team in Minnesota since 2015, they needed more than a couple of heavy hitters. That’s why they’ve worked alongside Mary Jo “Josie” Patterson for over two decades.

“She’s been in the real estate business longer than me,” said Ryan Platzke. “If this brokerage has a queen, it’s Josie.”

Josie’s story doesn’t begin with houses, but with cabins. The Edina native and University of Minnesota alumna became a flight attendant for Northwest Orient Airlines in 1984. She went everywhere over the next 18 years – possibly even encountering areas that rival Minnesota’s own natural beauty.

Minnesota also held Josie’s favorite sight of all: her husband and three children. The events of September 11th compelled Josie to start seeing as much of them as possible, and so she bid adieu to aircraft to become a Realtor.

“My greatest passion is helping families find their new homes in the southwest metro,” said Josie. “I used to coach diving and gymnastics at Edina High School. I also raised my own family in this area, and saw every square inch of it thanks to my kids’ heavy involvement with local youth sports programs. That gives me a special outlook on the homebuying process. It takes a lot more than making mom and dad happy. It also means working as hard as I can find the best neighborhoods for children to grow up in. Seeing kids smile because they love their new surroundings makes everything I do worthwhile.

“I’ve also noticed people tend to smile a lot when they finally retire to Florida. As a relocation specialist with close professional ties to the Naples area,

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

I’ve helped many Minnesotans downsize their homes and never have to shovel snow again.

“Helgeson Platzke’s greatest strength is our team. Every staff member specializes in what they excel at best. I take confidence knowing I can count on the most qualified people for support with pricing, marketing, lead generation, and everything else I need to create a positive experience for my clients. Fast and efficient service is the biggest advantage you can ask for in such a competitive market.

“If I had to lay claim to only one specialty, it would have to be the art of the open house. It’s not just about showing off the home’s best features. It’s also about showing off the neighborhood’s best features. As a longtime resident of our area, I use open houses to answer any questions homebuyers could have about Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Edina and Wayzata. The parks, the nearby shopping, the day cares, the schools and their teachers, even the local bike trails and

fitness clubs. The southwest metro is my golden zone, and I love helping people see it just like I do.

“Helgeson Platzke gives its agents a huge edge when it comes to marketing. Our partners had the foresight to get in on the ground floor with Zillow. Whenever a user inquires about a listing in 55344, 55346 or 55347, they’re put directly in touch with our team. That’s why I’m able to bring so many buyers to my clients’ listings – and also why so many of my clients’ homes are sold before they can formally reach the market. Investing more into our marketing budget than 99% of other real estate firms in Minnesota has truly paid off!"

Helgeson Platzke’s family-focused Eden Prairie realty authority is at your service. To learn more about how Josie can help you sell your home and surround yourself with tropical weather, please reach out to her directly at jpatterson33@comcast.net or (952) 212-5107. You can also learn more about Eden Prairie’s top brokerage by visiting hprealestategroup.com

Naples, FL

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

A Survivor’s Story

With Lynette Wiest of Yetzer Home Store

“I was flabbergasted when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of just 50,” said Lynette Wiest. “I had three kids before I turned 30. I breastfed for a total of six years. I was a runner who once completed the Marine Corps Marathon in under five hours (with 41 seconds to spare). I only bought organic meats and dairy! I thought I was doing everything just right.

“My family history does shed some light on how it could have happened, but not in the way you might expect. My grandparents, aunts, uncles – none of them had cancer. But my father, who was from China, did. So too did my mother, who grew up in St. Paul. And we all shared one thing in common: our family home in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where the well water could have been contaminated by pesticides from any number of farms.

“It was May 5th, 2021 – the day of my daughter’s college graduation – when a pain inside my right breast drove me to the emergency room. I thought it was just an issue with my implant, but I got my real diagnosis two days later: HR+, HER2- stage three breast cancer.

“As an adult nurse practitioner who has specialized in hospice care, I understood what could lie ahead of me. But as a huge Stephen King fan, I also couldn’t help remembering those far-reaching words: ‘Get busy living or get busy dying.’

“I did six months of chemotherapy. I started off with four treatments of doxorubicin, which is also known as ‘the red devil’ both for its color and its side effects. I followed that up with 12 treatments of paclitaxel and 36 rounds of radiation. I was also put on tamoxifen, an estrogen inhibitor, and abemaciclib, which was approved for treating stage three breast cancer right around when I was wrapping up chemo.

“I knew what kind of illness to expect from so many treatments. Three different anti-nausea medications helped. So did anti-fatigue treatment, although I still have to take care not to overexert myself if I want to avoid having to stay in bed for three days. What I did not anticipate was just how badly chemo would affect my memory. One time I told my husband Tom that we should go see the new Spider-Man movie (we’re geeks like that). He looked at me kind of funny and asked if I was kidding. ‘We just saw the movie yesterday,’ he said. ‘You cried when Aunt May died.’

“I couldn’t tell my cancer story without fawning over my husband, at least for a little bit. He took me to every radiation treatment. He sat by my side through every chemo appointment. He was there for me while the side effects wreaked havoc on my mind and body. Tom is my angel … my wonderful, handsome furniture-selling guardian angel.

“One thing I was determined not to lose was my hair. It’s not about vanity. Or, to be fair, it’s not just about vanity. It’s also about control. I had a friend in Raleigh who discovered a treatment called ‘cold capping’ during one of her own bouts with breast cancer. It’s basically a special bonnet that holds four pounds of dry ice – horribly uncomfortable to wear for reasons I probably don’t have to explain. But thanks to it, I only lost about 50 percent of my hair, and the loss was evenly spread out.

“My oncologist actually discouraged me from cold capping, which he explained could interfere with the chemo. One of the nurses became downright rude when I brought it up. Now, here’s the funny thing: cold capping is actually quite common in Europe, where it’s covered by national healthcare. But here in America, where hospitals don’t make money off it, cold capping is usually treated like crackpottery.

“I decided to have the offending organs removed altogether. ‘I’m 50 years old,’ I told myself. ‘I don’t need my breasts anymore.’ And after enduring all that chemo, all that radiation, all that sickness, and finally a double mastectomy, my surgeon was shocked to discover a tumor growing inside my other breast as well. Just lying there, undetected all that time. Worse yet, the tumor we did know about hadn’t shrunken one bit. It was apparently completely unaffected by the chemo.

“I had many wonderful doctors during my treatment. My radiation oncologist was one of my biggest cheerleaders. He told me I shouldn’t waste any time worrying about the high chance that the cancer will come back. ‘Live your life –enjoy it – and move forward from here.’

“But doctors are still human. They make mistakes, and they ultimately do work for a very large and very profitable industry. That’s why you should never blindly defer to expert opinions. Do your own research. Get a second opinion. Get a third. Even when you’re told nothing is wrong –but you’re sure something is – pursue it. Nothing is black and white when it comes to cancer.”

Thomas and Lynette Wiest

Minnetonka

14810 Woodruff Road, Minnetonka

$500,000

Come see your amazing new home! Fantastic home loaded with large windows & flooded with natural light. Mature trees provide summer shade. Come and grill on your huge deck right off the kitchen. Entertain on your paver patio right off the family room. It is hot now, but using the fireplace this winter! Freshly updated for you! New paint, carpet, lighting & SS appliances! Beautiful hardwood and tile floor throughout. The perfect layout for relaxing & entertaining! Great locationclose to Lake Minnetonka, downtown Wayzata, Deephaven, Minnetonka Community Center, Ridgedale, dining, shopping, freeway access & more!

Betsy Ferguson

612-327-9292 • BetsyFerguson@EdinaRealty.com

Minneapolis

1415 Mount Curve Ave, Minneapolis

$3,495,000

A Grand-Manor estate home on historic Mt Curve surrounded by leafy grounds; an inviting family haven that offers flexibility to live, work and entertain. The owners have invested more than $2M lovingly restoring the property, honoring its history and craftmanship while modernizing its systems and infrastructure. The primary family spaces on the 2nd floor offer 4 outsized bedrooms plus an office and nursery; A refined 3rd fl offers yet more flexibility with bedrooms and kitchenette. Extensive enhancements include Black Walnut floors and Mahogany carved millwork, ornate grillwork, custom ceilings, 40+ stained glass windows all backed by custom thermo-pane sashes that add efficiency to the authenticity of the originals. A tunnel from the home leads to a Carriage House and heated garage all situated amongst lush gardens and driveways with ample off-street parking. A one-of-a-kind property, re-imagine Downton Abby, efficiently modernized and conveniently accessible to all Mpls has to offer.

Heidi & Brian Wiessner

PENDING

NewMarketTwp

9310 E. 280th Street, New Market Twp

$675,000

Welcome to this wonderful rambler on 10 acres!! 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The property includes an oversized 3-car attached garage and a 28x32 pole building, offering plenty of storage and parking options.

On the main level, you’ll find 3 bedrooms, including a Master Suite with a private bathroom. The open living room, dining area, and kitchen provide a spacious and inviting atmosphere, complete with excellent storage and a center island with seating. Another highlight of the main level is the additional family room with a fireplace. The 4-season porch features a vaulted ceiling and access to the deck. The lower level boasts a family room, a bonus room, a 4th bedroom, and a three-quarter bathroom, providing additional space. The property offers ample room to enjoy outdoor activities, enhanced by a huge deck and patio. Lakeville School District. This home truly offers a delightful combination of comfort and functionality.

The Barkleys

612-991-0977 • JackandDeborahBarkley@EdinaRealty.com

Bloomington

2401 Jones Place W, Bloomington

$430,000

SOLD

Chaska

921 Goldfinch Street, Chaska

$725,000

Built in 2022 and located in Del Webb’s 55+ neighborhood minutes from downtown Chaska, is listed well below the cost to build new. The Castlerock floor plan offers main floor living space with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a flex room for an office or dining, and a sunroom. The spacious kitchen has cabinets galore, a walk-in pantry, stainless appliances, a large center island that seats four comfortably, and a wet bar with a beverage refrigerator.

The owner’s suite includes a large bedroom and bathroom with a tiled shower, walk-in closet, and two vanities. The walk out lower level offers a third bedroom and bathroom along with plenty of space to entertain and for storage. The 7300 square foot amenity center is staffed with a full-time lifestyle director and has the latest exercise equipment, a lounge, multi-purpose craft and meeting rooms, a billiards room and kitchen. The outdoor pool offers a chance to relax or exercise. The 4 pickleball courts keep the residents active and engaged.

The Barkleys

612-991-0977 • JackandDeborahBarkley@EdinaRealty.com

EdenPrairie

8077 Timber Lake Drive, Eden Prairie

$369,900

952-200-2229 • HeidiandBrianWiessner@edinarealty.com

Bloomington

offered at a great value and convenient to every amenity imaginable!

Krissie Craig 218-251-4923 • KrissieCraig@EdinaRealty.com

Suburban Homestead Retreat! Spectacular and rare find, tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac neighborhood. Not your typical Bloomington rambler-This fully updated property includes an endless list of unique features. 600sq ft addition adds show stopping great room with abundant windows, vaulted ceiling, and stone surround fireplace. Addition also includes an owners suite with full bath offering a peaceful sanctuary. One level living including 3Beds/2Baths and 2 living spaces on the main floor plus, 4th bedroom, bath, rec room, and family room in the lower level-convenience and privacy for all. Updates abound, including New roof, windows, bathrooms, flooring, front porch etc.. The private, fenced wooded backyard feels as though you’ve escaped to the country with organic garden area, charming greenhouse and chicken coop! A garage expansion addition has been thoughtfully incorporated for extra storage or workshop. This Suburban Homestead is a perfect balance of tranquility & accessibility.

Heather Gustafson

612-207-2589 • HeatherGustafson@EdinaRealty.com

EdenPrairie

Delightful 4 Bedroom, 3 bath (full owners suite) walk-out two story with vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors and gas fireplace. Kitchen has updated counters, tile backsplash, new range/oven and refrigerator and hardwood floors. 2nd story loft area is great for in-home office. Finished walkout lower level complete with new bath and kitchenperfect for multigenerational living. Quiet culdesac location with large deck overlooking beautiful Neil Lake Park. The Preserve amenities include 2 pools, new tennis/pickleball courts and wonderful parks and trails! Hurry on this!

Welcome to this beautiful home located just off of Mitchell Lake in highly sought after Eden Prairie neighborhood! Featuring a complete remodel with new cabinetry, flooring, countertops & lighting throughout this townhome is truly spectacular! Vaulted ceilings & walls of windows allow natural light to pour into sundrenched main lvl. Wide open spaces throughout, an incredible kitchen, 3 bedrooms on 1lvl, large main level bath w/walkthrough separate master vanity, huge deck for entertaining & relaxing are just a few of the many things this home has to offer! Enjoy low maintenance living at its absolute finest! This unit lives like a single-family home with the convenience of association maintained exterior & amenities galore! Just a short walk to the private dock to fish, canoe/kayak or simply take in the stunning views. Should you want to take full advantage of lakeside living you can purchase a boat slip which remains with the property indefinitely!

Cristy Willis 952-356-7585 • CristyWillis@edinarealty.com

9479 Bandy Lane, Minnetrista

$550,000

Luxurious living in this thoughtfully crafted custom one story walk-out home located in the highly desirable Hunters Crest neighborhood.

Bright & spacious open floor plan boasting vaulted ceilings, Beautiful H/W floors, vaulted Sun room w/ in-floor heating, gas FP w/ custom built cabinetry surround, spac great rm, lg breakfast bar, SS appl, Beautiful oak cabinetry, Informal dining, mudroom, maint free deck, Main floor office w/ french doors, Lg owners suite

OWNER HOME. Love where you live!

8754 Deer Path, Eden Prairie $2995 Per Mo.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Oktoberfest at Fat Pants Brewing Co.

8335 CRYSTAL VIEW RD, EDEN PRAIRIE | 11:00 AM

Prost! Join Eden Prairie’s local brewery for the ceremonial tapping of the keg, the big stein holding competition, food and drink specials, yard games, live music and more. It’s the most Teutonic celebration of the year! The festivities conclude at 11pm. You don’t have to go home, but you probably should. fatpantsbrewing.com

Taco Tuesday at Flying Dutchman Spirits

6801 FLYING CLOUD DR, EDEN PRAIRIE | 4:00 PM

Craving a margarita? Don't feel like cooking? Then you don’t have a problem! Join Flying Dutchman Spirits on Tuesdays from 4 to 9pm for a free taco with a craft cocktail purchase – and $2 off all agave cocktails! It’s the perfect midweek night out for anyone who appreciates life’s greatest pleasures: liquor and tacos. flyingdutchmanspirits.com

POUND Unplugged at Eden Prairie Community Center

16700 VALLEY VIEW RD, EDEN PRAIRIE | 5:30 PM

POUND Unplugged connects mind, body and sound to create an experience unlike anything you’ve experienced in a group fitness class before. Balance focused, high-intensity movements with restorative stretches, rhythmic breathing and meditation as Allison T. guides you through a deeply intentional journey designed to promote the health and fitness of your whole person – mental, physical and emotional! edenprairie.org

Healthy Kids Running Series’ Final Race of Fall ‘23

14800 PIONEER TRL, EDEN PRAIRIE | 4:00 PM

It’s not too late to join the Healthy Kids Running Series: a running program for pre-K through 8th grade children. Each seasonal five-week series offers age appropriate running events including 50 and 75 yard dashes and 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile and 1 mile runs. Single day race registration opens one hour before start time. healthykidsrunningseries.org

A Tribute to Queen at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

501 W 78TH ST, CHANHASSEN | 6:00 PM

Jonny James and the Hall of Fames return with a brand new tribute to Queen! Go to the Chan for an evening of Mercury’s chart-topping hits and bountiful B-sides – all the energy, extravagance and rock you can handle, including “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Somebody to Love,” “We Will Rock You” and more. Shows on October 12th, 13th and 14th! chanhassendt.com

Fall Festival Petting Zoo at The Mustard Seed

10000 GREAT PLAINS BLVD, CHASKA | 11:00 AM

Saturday, October 21st from 11am to 3pm – it's the grand return of the Hasse Farms Family Petting Zoo! Visit The Mustard Seed to pet cute and extremely pettable animals such as friendly goats, affable mini donkeys, genial mini horses, companionable sheep, convivial rabbits and more! The Weenie Wagon will serve delicious food. themustardseedinc.com

What is the Yetzer Experience?

It’s our free in-store and in-home design services. It’s our vast selection of inventory, and knowing you can take home anything on our showroom floor the same day you fall in love with it. It’s the freedom to customize the perfect piece of furniture by great Amish brands like Canadel, Fusion, Oakwood or Smith Brothers. If you can dream it, we can create it! And above all else, the Yetzer Experience is high-quality (yet highly affordable) American-made solid wood furniture – not flimsy particle board shipped from overseas like some big box stores sell. You don’t stay in business for over 80 years by selling junk! Come discover the Yetzer Experience at our stores in Waconia or Forest Lake today! –

Thomas Wiest, Owner