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“Ryan and his team were top-notch! They recommended changes to our house that led to two offers within two showings Working with this professional and personable team was a very simple and seamless process. We would highly recommend ”
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“Never put off till tomorrow what you
can eat today.”
Dear Eden Prairie Lifestyle reader,
When I find myself in times of trouble, I can always find solace in a classic: Garfield Belly Laughs: His 68th Book, by James Robert Davis. For instance, I was recently only feeling 99 percent like my normal sunny self, so I leafed through GBL: H68B at random until my eyes focused on this strip.
PANEL 1 - Garfield, eating: “Man, I sure love eating.”
PANEL 2 - Garfield, pensive: “If I couldn’t eat, I would die…”
That’s what I love about Garfield. It’s not just his riotous japes and hijinks. It’s also his profound insight into the human condition, made all the more impressive by his species. “It’s true, Garfield,” I spoke to the strip, as though Garfield could listen. “Food is important. And drink, by extension, is too.”
That’s why I’m delighted to present this very special Food and Drink edition of Eden Prairie Lifestyle! Be certain to exclusively subsist on the delicacies served by Baker’s Ribs, Butcher and Bartender, Fat Pants Brewing Co., Flying Dutchman Spirits, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and T.J. Hooligan’s – all featured in full on the following pages.
But how will you pass time between meals? By seeking expert care for that foot or ankle condition that’s been harassing you? Building stronger bones so you can live longer and more healthily? Fastening the expertise of the Twin Cities’ savviest startup accounting firm to your quickly growing business? Those courses of action are all worthy of further study, which is why you should cancel any upcoming plans that could potentially interfere with your absorption of this magazine.
Imagine a library ten billion times larger than the universe. Every shelf is filled with identical 1,000-page books, each repeating only the word “GRATITUDE” from cover to cover. That entire library would express only one one-trillionth of the gratitude I feel toward Bearpath Golf and Country Club for being one of our advertisers. Just please don’t read our feature on Bearpath’s Swim and Dive Team until at least 30 minutes have elapsed since finishing any article about food.
I’m equally grateful to all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s many other advertisers, without whose support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’ homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you might have in appearing on this magazine’s pages!
Best regards,
JOHN LEE, PUBLISHER
October 2025
PUBLISHER
John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Bill Scheller
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Julie Hawkins, Diane Wilke
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn
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business monthly
Back to School at Grace Beginnings Academy
School is back in session at Grace Beginnings Academy! Staff and teachers of Grace Church’s onsite childcare center welcomed over 170 students ranging from infant to pre-K to newly renovated classrooms, as well as brand new indoor and outdoor play spaces. Here’s to another happy year of helping kids grow in faith, character, and knowledge through Christ-centered teaching, guidance, and interactions! GraceBeginningsMN.com
Irving Berlin's White Christmas at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Main Stage is the must-see holiday event of the season! This newer musical work – written in 2000, and landed on Broadway in 2008 – is a delightful adaptation of the beloved 1954 film classic with added hit Berlin songs including “Blue Skies” and “I Love a Piano.” The production is a remount of the 2024 show, honoring the original direction of Michael Brindisi. ChanhassenDT.com
Midwest Chiropractic and Wellness Cuts the Ribbon
Dr. Mitch Evenson and Dr. Zach Mochinski are committed to bringing you better health by offering the most effective chiropractic techniques and treatments available. Whether you’re dealing with low back pain, neck pain, pregnancy-related pain – or in search of improved athletic performance – Midwest Chiropractic and Wellness combines the skill and expertise you need to recover quickly and cast aside discomfort! MidwestChiroAndWellness.com
Want to be featured?
The Game Show Studio Cuts the Ribbon
It’s a head-to-head competition between friends, family, or colleagues during a thrilling 60-minute game show experience like no other. What is The Game Show Studio? That’s correct! Discover the perfect recipe for laughter, camaraderie, and loads of fun right here in Eden Prairie, featuring as-seen-on-TV challenges such as “Wheel of Wonder,” “Name That Price,” “Survey Showdown,” and more! GameShowStudio.com
Kirsten Barott Celebrates Four Years With the Chamber
Which city’s chamber of commerce is celebrating four beautiful years with Kirsten Barott, its relationship and events manager? It’s Eden Prairie’s! Kirsten has made herself an irreplaceable part of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce in that short span of time: planning large-scale events, building strong personal connections with members, and leading the Women’s Committee, Ambassadors Committee, and New Membership Committee with zeal and passion. Cheers to a rising star! EPChamber.org
Is Coming!
Upgrade your mudroom and laundry room to meet the demands of the season. Call or text for your free consult today!
Baker’s
Ribs
ARTICLE BY BILL SCHELLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIE HAWKINS
Barbecue Texas Style, Smoked Low and Slow
Where there’s smoke, there’s oak.
That smoke is coming from the slow-burning oak logs at Baker’s Ribs: Eden Prairie’s temple of Texas barbecue, where pork ribs and shoulder, beef brisket, beer can chicken, buffalo wings, and holiday hams and turkeys are gently smoked to perfection.
For over 30 years, Baker’s Al Killion has been an ambassador for the barbecue style of his native state. “In Texas barbecue,” says Al, “all the cooking is done over smoke, and our sauce is tomato-based. Kansas City grills its meats after smoking. And in the Carolinas, the sauce is made with mustard and vinegar.”
Al installed three new pits that have been doing a terrific job – he’d made sure of that, by heading back home to Texas and putting the pits through their paces in the manufacturer’s test kitchen.
“We can smoke three different meats at once now,” says Al, “and ribs that used to take four hours now take three and a half. Plus, we can use one pit to hold finished meats.” The pits employ a temperature monitoring system, and fans that can blow air onto the logs for a hotter fire as needed and distribute heat more evenly among each pit’s ten shelves. The result? A more consistent temperature, and a mere five-degree spread – and no difference in the finished product – between the top and bottom shelves.
Those simple differences have been fodder for endless debate among barbecue lovers, and each style has its passionate followers. For sheer, sublime simplicity, though, it’s hard to argue with the Lone Star approach. Oak is just about the only way barbecue in our part of the world departs from Texas tradition. Farther south, hickory is the wood of choice. But hickory isn’t all that common this far north, and smoldering oak logs do a fine job of imparting that all-important smoky essence to the meats slow-cooking in Baker’s barbecue pits.
Don’t think “pit” in terms of a hole in the ground, with meat resting on grates over a slow fire. The old-fashioned term now applies to sophisticated smokers that look like big fridges, with self-contained racks and fireboxes. After a blaze last year that forced Baker’s four-month closure,
Technology aside, though, there’s still an art to Texas barbecue, to arriving at a soul-satisfying creation whose complex flavors arise from just two ingredients: meat and smoke. The process starts with green split oak, set to smolder over yesterday’s coals, followed by a round green log and dry split wood as needed. The only thing to add is time … and, at the table, that piquant tomato-based Texas sauce. Baker’s bottles its own blend, made with all natural ingredients.
A rack or half-rack of meaty St. Louis-style pork ribs, a sliced or chopped brisket plate or sandwich, chicken smoked over a beer can, or buffalo wings – accompanied by house-made side dishes including rotini pasta salad, smoky baked beans, dilled potato salad, dirty rice, and Texas toast – those are all the draw a barbecue fan needs to follow the aroma to Baker’s Glen Lane location. But there’s also atmosphere aplenty, in what amounts to a museum of Americana.
Grab a small-batch artisan soda out of a bathtub filled with ice; go back in time with the vintage advertising signs covering the walls, and marvel at the sheer pigliness of the collectibles that stand, hang, and otherwise crowd every available space (except for your table with the red-checked cloth, awaiting the real thing). Porkers abound, in paint, plastic, and pottery. One recent addition is a little English-made bank, a ceramic piggy in a tux – “a dapper pig,” says Al.
Although Al has been giving some thought to adding beef ribs to his offerings, Baker’s is a place where change comes slowly, if at all. “I like my menu the way it is,” says Al, and his clientele agrees. But two recent innovations are sure to
please the faithful. This year, holiday turkey orders will be filled with free-range birds raised right here in the Upper Midwest. And it’s now possible to order online, with everything on the menu, including sides and sauce, just a click away on the website. The exceptions are those holiday season whole turkeys and hams, which Al prefers to discuss with customers when they place their orders. Al advises calling in early November for Thanksgiving, and no later than the first week of December for Christmas.
But don’t wait for the holidays. Ribs, brisket and more are smoking in the pits right now.
Visit BakersRibsMN.com to order online. Visit 8019 Glen Lane, Eden Prairie 11am to 8pm Tuesday through Saturday to dine in. Call (952) 942-5337 to speak with a preeminent authority on Texas-style Q.
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Butcher and Bartender
Your guests’ faculties of grace and civility would have them excuse you for presenting anything less than spectacular food at your upcoming special event.
But you – the host(ess) with the most(est) – cannot do that. You hate lackluster eats .
Enter Butcher and Bartender: Eden Prairie locals Chris and Stephanie Jack’s gourmet food truck, which materializes wherever food must be special.
“Our specialty cocktail-infused sausages have made a big splash at every wedding, birthday celebration and corporate event they’ve starred at so far,” said Chris. “We flavor those and our burgers with liquors and liqueurs, which vaporize under heat to imbue the ground meat with a zesty, aromatic je ne sais quoi. Goes great with our piping hot beef tallow fries!
Have Truck, Will Cater
“Entertaining is complicated enough without having to worry about the dining part of the equation. That’s one reason why our food truck is so great: it’s a food truck, which can serve any number of people any time, any place, be it an event center, corporate campus, private residence, public park, or brewery. And as two lifelong hospitality professionals, Steph and I know how to make our clients’ lives easier. Just accommodate their every need. It’s that simple!”
Custom charcuterie boards. Personalized arrangements. Specialized cuisine. Butcher and Bartender serves anything your party needs to truly create an impression. “Special requests are nothing special to us,” said Chris. “Our full-blown catering
services go above and beyond to deliver precisely whichever experience you envision.
“We’re not just in the business of making sausages and burgers. We’re in the business of making memories; the kinds of lasting impressions that can only arise wherever inspired recipes, skillful cooking, and outstanding service combine. Let us show you why more than a few of our recent clients have vowed never to cook for their own parties again!”
Butcher and Bartender is available to cater private events now and until the end of time. Visit ButcherAndBartender.com to plant the seed of fond memories, as well as to see when and where the food truck will next serve the public.
Discover 15 elegantly designed Detached Villas with open-concept layouts, premium finishes, and main-level living. Choose from Single-Level, Two-Story, or Walk-Out styles, many with optional 3rd-stall garages and scenic pond view lots. Enjoy a low maintenance lifestyle with HOA-provided lawn care and snow removal, plus easy access to parks and trails.
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ARTICLE BY DAVID
NOTHING BUNDT CAKES
The beverages? Perfectly chilled and just as refreshing. The hors d'oeuvres? No finer pigs have ever been blanketed. The main course? Delicious enough to throw your guests into reverential silence at first bite.
You’ve thrown one heck of a dinner party so far. Now to just serve the cake: some nondescript, unspecial thing you grabbed at the store.
Oh no. Your guests make it apparent they don’t like the cake. No one asks for seconds. And instead of staying afterward to watch a two-hour slide show of your recent trip to Bemidji, your guests excuse themselves and leave early. “We … uh … have to go home and … feed … our many, many pets,” they explain.
But you know they only have one pet. You also know the real reason why your party was ruined. You failed to serve your guests that most important thing: Nothing Bundt Cakes’ divinely moist yet oh-so-fluffy Bundt cake.
If only you’d called Eden Prairie’s locally owned specialty cake bakery at (952) 5122500. If only you’d specified the number of tiered, 10-inch, 8-inch, “Bundtlet” or “Bundtini” cakes you would like. If only you’d selected from Nothing Bundt Cakes’ wide assortment of classic and inspired flavors – at least 11 at any given time, including Confetti, Carrot, White Chocolate Raspberry, Red Velvet, Oreo Cookies and Cream, and multiple gluten-free options.
Oh well. Live and learn! And then make this Halloween the holiday that corrects your cake trajectory for good.
“There’s no better time to give Nothing Bundt Cakes a try!” said Carly Simonian, manager of marketing for all five (soon to be seven) Twin Cities cakeries. “It’s when we feature my own personal favorite Bundt decorations: ‘Sweet and Spooky,’ which has a completely
unscary ghost shooting up to say ‘BOO,’ and ‘Witch Way to the Cake?’ with an Oz-inspired pair of legs sticking out.”
I hit Carly with my most pressing cake question.
“Well, if you could have pumpkin-flavored cake all year round, then maybe it wouldn’t be special anymore! Fortunately, you still have plenty of time to enjoy ours. We offer Pumpkin September 8th through December 12th, spanning Halloween right through Thanksgiving (featuring ‘Give Thanks’ – a big turkey pilgrim). Then comes Christmas (featuring ‘Santa’s Slice of Joy,’ ‘Baking Spirits Bright,’ and our super fun ‘Holiday Gnomes’ Bundtinis) to help you forget all about it!”
Not elves, I asked?
“Not elves!” Carly answered. “Though our all-kosher bakery does offer a beautiful indigoon-white 'Happy Hanukkah' cake in case gnomes don’t quite fit your holiday season’s aesthetics.”
CONTINUED >
Take away all their dressings and Nothing Bundt Cakes cakes would still be exceptional: made with fresh ingredients, and baked fresh every day using recipes that meet national franchise founders Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz’s enormously high standards.
“We’re proud to be a woman-owned business at every level,” added Carly. “Kim Cassens, who is the only proprietor of
“TAKE AWAY ALL THEIR DRESSINGS AND NOTHING BUNDT CAKES CAKES WOULD STILL BE EXCEPTIONAL: MADE WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS, AND BAKED FRESH EVERY DAY USING RECIPES THAT MEET NATIONAL
multiple Nothing Bundt Cakes in Minnesota, is grateful to the communities that have made our Bloomington, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Prior Lake-Savage, and Minnetonka (soon to become St. Louis Park) bakeries so successful, and can’t wait to continue that streak with the grand openings of our North Loop and St. Anthony Village locations this fall!
“A big part of Nothing Bundt Cakes’ mission is giving directly back to those communities. Benilde-St. Margaret's, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Birthday Party Project, the Jordyn Clark Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Ronald McDonald House are just a few of the nonprofits we’re blessed to support.”
Assist Nothing Bundt Cakes’ philanthropism the best way you can: by ordering ohh-and-ahh-inducing freshly baked Bundts from their 8435 Joiner Way, Eden Prairie location. Visit NothingBundtBakes.com to achieve Bundt enlightenment, and check back in during football season to order ‘Touchdown’ Bundtinis and Bundtlets: the official Bundts of the NFL!
AND
FRANCHISE FOUNDERS DENA TRIPP
DEBBIE SHWETZ’S ENORMOUSLY HIGH STANDARDS.”
T.J. Hooligan’s
FOR THE PROS
HEY! You there! Yes, you – the talented and aspiring professional who reads good magazines. Are you looking for a professional edge? Then I humbly request that you keep the following key to success a secret: IT’S TREATING YOURSELF TO T.J. HOOLIGAN’S!
Like their neighbor Optum across the street, T.J. Hooligan’s is in the business of taking care of people. They just do it in a different way: with warm service, a full bar, and a kitchen that has honed the finest cuisine there is – pub du Midwest – for over 40 years.
Your New Local Favorite
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
“C.H. Robinson. Starkey. UNFI. UnitedHealthcare. Our second location is right in those and many other major businesses’ backyards. That has made us a popular spot for lunch, as well as the happy hour which we host every day from 2:30 until 5:30pm,” said Michael Newlin, proprietor.
“We may serve food fast, but that’s where any similarity to fast food ends. Everything’s made from scratch in our kitchen, right down to the ranch for the Buffalo wings. We’re also a much better deal than fast food, with $1 off all apps and drinks during happy hour plus a round-the-clock three percent discount when you pay cash.”
FOR THE POOCHES
Are you looking for Eden Prairie’s dog-friendliest patio? A snug little section of creation overlooking the sunset, where your pooch can attempt mooching flew-flappingly good grub from you? Then howl it with me: LET’S ALL GO TO T.J. HO-O-O-O-OLIGAN’S!
T.J. Hooligan’s big patio welcomes dogs seven days out of the week. It especially welcomes them on Wednesdays, which become “Puppies on the Patio” starting at 4pm (until it snows, to the chagrin of huskies). That’s when Eden Prairie’s most hospitable set down bowls of ice water, hand out T-R-E-A-T-S, and otherwise treat dogs to dogly good times.
“We’re very proudly pro-dog here at T.J. Hooligan's,” said Michael. “We discovered that Eden Prairie didn’t have an ordinance allowing dogs on restaurant patios shortly before our grand opening a year ago. Eden Prairie’s own city government seemed equally surprised to hear it! But just a couple of weeks after promising to take action, Mayor Case and City Council unanimously approved the ordinance allowing us to serve that most distinguished of all guests: dog."
FOR THE SPORTS FANS
Let me ask you something. Do you enjoy … fun? Then you will love having it at T.J. Hooligan's, where the greatest football team on earth – the Vikings, because they are Minnesotan – is celebrated properly: on 70-inch televisions everywhere, and on a somehow-even-larger 85-inch television behind the bar.
“Vikings game days are go time at T.J. Hooligan’s,” said Michael, whose devotion to Skol Nation is absolute. “That’s when we offer the king of all deals: a large pizza and a pitcher of beer for just $25, plus $4 domestic pints.”
In the highly unlikely event that the Vikings haven’t taken an extreme lead by halftime, your spirits will be bolstered by the
free raffle. “The halftime raffle is a cherished tradition here,” Michael continued. “We give away prizes like Vikings jerseys and other merch, plus gift cards to a great local business (i.e. our own). What more could you ask for?”
FOR THE MUSIC BINGO
MUSIC BINGO? What’s that? Like … bingo, but with music?
“That’s exactly what it’s like!” explained Michael. “We play 30-second clips from popular music, one after the other. If you hear ‘Push,’ ‘New York State of Mind,’ ‘Come Sail Away,’ ‘In da Club,’ and the ‘The Ballad of Jed Clampett’ – and line them all up on your card – then congrats! You win a fabulous prize! ”
T.J. Hooligan’s hosts Music Bingo every Friday night beginning at 9pm. If you only want to hear good music, then you can instead attend Music Bingo: Boomer Edition which begins at 2:30pm every other Sunday, unless the Vikings are playing on Sunday in which case it’s held on Saturday, except during a lunar eclipse when it’s…
…you know what? It would be a lot easier if you just checked out T.J. Hooligan’s upcoming events on their Eden Prairie location’s Facebook page. You can also learn interesting things at TJHooligans.com, though the greatest rewards await those who visit 6411 City West Parkway.
Where the Elite Meet to Fix Their Feet
Achilles Tendinitis
Arthritis
Athlete’s Foot
Blisters
Bunion
Callus
Diabetic Neuropathy
Flat Feet
Gout
Hammer Toe
Ingrown Toenail
Neuroma
Orthotics
Peripheral Neuropathy
Plantar Fasciitis
Sports Injuries
Sprains, Strains & Fractures
Surgery Warts And Much
Helping You Plan for the Future
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Some of them trim trees. Some of them clean houses. Some bake cookies. Others sell clothes. A few treat rheumatism.
Eden Prairie is filled with helpful businesses. Their powers of assistance take so many forms that one could dedicate an entire magazine to advertising them. But out of all those local businesses, only one specializes in supplying that most miraculous and refreshing form of aid.
“Beer,” said Michael Anderson, creative director for Fat Pants Brewing Co., “is obviously very important to us. But if beer were all that mattered, then our founders would have just stuck to brewing it in their garage. We operate this beautiful brewery because we want the community and our craft to come together.
“Come with the whole family for a bite to eat. Come with your friends to watch the Vikings game. Come and get some work done, even if you aren’t drinking on the job on that particular day. We’re Eden Prairie’s bona fide ‘third space,’ where every occasion is cause for celebration!”
THE BIG FAT PANTS ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Some occasions at Fat Pants are more celebratory than others. For proof, attend no occasion other than Fat Pants’ sixth anniversary shindig to be held all day on Saturday, November 22nd. The specifics are still being ironed out at the time of this magazine’s synthesization, but there will be live entertainment, special treats, discounted food and drink, and a prevailing sense of gratitude toward Eden Prairie in general.
“We are indescribably grateful to our community for having us,” said Michael. “We’re flourishing during an era when more independent breweries are shutting down rather than opening, and we owe it all to that noblest lot: the beer drinkers.”
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Wait – did you think Santa subsides only on cookies? That’s not correct! The jolly old elf also eats pancakes, and invites you to do so with him at Fat Pants from 9am until 1pm on Saturday, December 13th. CONTINUED >
“Fat Pants is a wholesome, family-friendly place all year round, but it’s a real joy to host a party just for kids each holiday season,” said Michael. “We glam up HopSpot Brew Hall, our 2,300-squarefoot private event space, in fun Christmas decorations, serve a delicious breakfast buffet, and provide the services of a professional photographer and the man of the hour himself.
“HopSpot is a warmer, more intimate environment than one you would normally encounter Santa in. If your kid is a little shy about meeting the big fella, see how they warm up to him after a nice breakfast!”
NEW YEAR’S EVE PROHIBITION PARTY
All the cheeky fun of drinking when drinking’s illegal, minus the risk of actually winding up in the hoosegow. That’s the kind of Fitzgeraldian shivoo Fat Pants is cooking up!
“On New Year’s Eve, Fat Pants turns into ‘Don’s Apothecary,’” said Michael. “We black out the windows, hand out appetizers and champagne (and serve beer and wine), and present a hoppin’ live DJ.
“Attend in period-accurate clothing, if you like! A room can’t have too many flappers in it.”
FAT PANTS BREWING CO.
Fat Pants Brewing Co. is located at 8335 Crystal View Road in Eden Prairie. Visit FatPantsBrewing.com to check out the event calendar, purchase tickets to upcoming events, and become a VIP. Make HopSpot Brew Hall your own by contacting Augusta Berling at events@fatpantsbrewing.com or (507) 459-6572.
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FAMILY PODIATRY CLINIC
COMPREHENSIVE FOOT AND ANKLE CARE FOR EDEN PRAIRIE
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIANE WILKE
I’ve just written three overly long introductions to this article, each of which meanders toward the same point:
Your feet and ankles are important
But then it occurred to me:
You already know that.
They are so important, in fact, that you wouldn’t like to entrust their care to anyone less than a specialist; one whose purview spans the most complicated surgeries all the way down to the most trifling corn; whose skill and experience leave no kernel of doubt as to whether you’re receiving the highest standard of care; and not one of those solemn, unspirited types who appears to have learned bedside manner from a turnip.
Ah. It seems you want Darren Cowl: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and proprietor of Family Podiatry Clinic.
“I played a lot of sports growing up,” said Dr. Cowl (whose height instantly suggests “basketball, but not NBA”). “The injuries I sustained back then would send me to a great foot and ankle specialist – a doctor who was just as fascinated by his field of medicine as he was delighted to actually help people. He was a real inspiration to an aspiring physician such as I was at the time, and the main reason why I enrolled in podiatry school.”
Not medical school, mind you. Podiatry school, which is its own separate thing in the U.S. “And so much the better,” Dr. Cowl explained. “Feet and ankles are endlessly intricate; seemingly designed by an incomprehensible architect, to put it unscientifically. I’ll never stop being amazed by how they work, or feel less driven to help them function as they ought to.”
That mission drove Dr. Cowl to gain hospital privileges at St. Francis Medical Center in Shakopee, Ridgeview Medical Center Two Twelve Surgery Center in Chaska, and Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. Dr. Cowl would also join Family Podiatry clinic, which he purchased from its former proprietor in 2003. “‘Family Podiatry Clinic’ has been the big name in podiatry in Mankato for over a century,” continued Dr. Cowl. “It’s been an honor to preserve that reputation, and to extend it to Chanhassen when I began seeing patients there nine years ago.
“I’m certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. I’m a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. I make ongoing study of the constantly evolving field of podiatric surgery a priority. That’s all to explain why I belong to the minority of podiatrists who perform actual reconstructive surgery.
“My focus on surgery has allowed me to help others in a much grander way than most other podiatrists. I think back on my patients over the years, like the lady who had had an extra toe removed during childhood and needed me to excise the vestigial bone still inside her foot so she could walk comfortably. And another, whose cerebral palsy had prevented her from walking more than a few steps at a time, who could go for miles after I essentially rebuilt her feet. Lastly, there’s the little girl I recently treated, whose flat feet had kept her in constant pain, but who is now walking well and playing with her friends just like every little girl deserves to…
“…a physician’s composure forbids me from sharing how I truly feel for having played my role in those patients’ stories. Suffice to say helping
people leave behind suffering and lead normal lives is immensely fulfilling.
“Surgery, of course, should always be saved as a last resort. That’s why I prescribe the gentlest treatments first, such as the custom orthotics which I prescribe and cast right here in my clinic. Providing comprehensive podiatric medicine also means treating all the minor conditions for which surgery is seldom suitable. Maybe you have athlete’s foot, or a skin rash, or an ingrown toenail, or a really bad blister, or gout, or a callus, or a sprain, or a strain, or a bunion. Maybe an odd spot has recently appeared just beneath your toenail and you’d like to have it checked out. Or maybe you have diabetes, and want a local doctor to make your recommended biannual foot checkups go as smoothly as possible. I’m here to treat all foot and ankle conditions, great and small. Just call!”
Dr. Cowl’s Chanhassen clinic is located at 761 West 78th Street, just off the intersection of 35 and 494. Call (952) 934-9000 to schedule an appointment the old-school way.
Dog Lover? We Volunteer T
Volunteer
Care for and train our dogs from puppies to service dogs, attending weekly classes and practicing cues in and outside of home.
Host Homes
Open their hearts and homes to our dogs, while our staff trains them during the daytime. Foster a future service dog!
Dog Sitters
Help care for our dogs in training when their Volunteer Dog Trainers or Host Homes travel! Choose the dates that work for you!
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
When your retirement is at stake, only the soundest decisions will do. Trust Demery Wealth Advisors to provide the insight you need to achieve your unique financial goals. Minimize risk. Maximize opportunity. Build a solid foundation for your financial future.
www.demerywealthadvisors.com
952.837.2687 | kiley@demerywealthadvisors.com
7760 France Avenue S #1100, Bloomington, MN 55435
Resolve Works
Jillian Mittelmark, CPA, CEO and Founder
Outsourced Accounting for Ambitious Enterprises
THE BIG PICTURE. You fixated on it – and your successful enterprise is beginning to scale. Don’t let the financial details slow you down. Bring in experts who know how to keep your business moving forward without losing sight of what matters most: sustainable growth and clarity in your numbers.
Enter Jillian Mittelmark, CPA: CEO of Resolve Works, where a team of startup-savvy accountants and advisors cater to fast-growing startups.
“I founded Resolve Works in Eden Prairie ten years ago, though I began specializing in startups long before then,” said Jillian. “Over the course of my journey from basic bookkeeping to single-family office work to serving CEOs and entrepreneurs directly, I’ve always most enjoyed helping companies grow bigger, faster. What hooked me from the start was seeing how the right financial foundation can unlock potential and accelerate growth.
“Growth-driven entrepreneurial organizations. Seed through Series A startups. Well-funded closely held startups. Established businesses in search of robust financial structure. The founders behind them have energy, grit, and vision. Traditional accountants often shy away from that kind of environment. The Resolve Works team, however, thrives on it. We’re builders, problem-solvers, and partners who adapt quickly to whatever our clients face.
Get the expertise of a full-scale accounting team, minus the full-time overhead.
“One recent example of our flexibility comes to mind right away. We were brought on by a startup during its third round of investment. It had seen meteoric growth over the previous five years thanks to its robust online business across the country, with international sales looming just over the horizon. Unfortunately, they had overlooked a critical compliance area: sales taxes – and, more specifically, which states they owed them to.
“Resolve Works conducted a nexus study, pinpointed where the client had been obligated to pay sales taxes, reached out to appropriate state agencies via voluntary disclosure, reduced the noncompliance period, brought them back into compliance, and then implemented a tool called Avalara that would automate sales tax administration moving forward.
“That’s exactly the kind of complexity Resolve Works takes off your plate so you can stay focused on your business. We navigate the financial waters while you keep your eyes on growth.
“That was a case where our client would have been much better off had they come to us earlier, though they still reached a happy result. Ultimately, the sooner you bring us onboard, the smoother the rest of your journey becomes.
“That reminds me of another of our newer clients, who engaged us while they were still in the process of acquiring a new business. We worked directly with the seller to wrap up their old books, ensured a clean exit for the seller, and built a fresh, accurate set of financials for our client to start from – free from the misstatements and errors that often come from non-accountants doing the books – and will remain with our client as their internal accounting team on a go-forward basis.
“Over the course of my journey from basic bookkeeping to singlefamily office work to serving CEOs and entrepreneurs directly, I’ve always most enjoyed helping companies grow bigger, faster.”
“If you’re unsure as to whether you need an accountant to scrutinize your financial operations, the answer is almost certainly yes. Business owners very commonly ask us to find any way they can improve. We invariably identify multiple opportunities, and provide whichever expertise is needed to implement them. From digitizing operations and automating payroll to building cash flow visibility and financial models, we deliver the clarity and efficiency businesses need to scale.”
Avoid costly mistakes. Build systems that scale. The Resolve Works team gives founders the tools and insights they need to grow with confidence. Visit Resolve-Works.com or call (612) 293-9368 today.
Care for the whole you, in Eden Prairie
At Premier Women’s Health of Minnesota-OBGYN West, we’re passionate about delivering high-quality care for the whole you. Our team includes primary care and ObGyn, all under one roof. Discover expert care for pregnancy. Choose from a range of GYN services when you need them. Move toward healthy with services that include weight management, PT, and mammography.
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Minnetonka • Chaska
Eden Prairie
Waconia
It’s The Season Of Fright
October is here, and while the ghouls and goblins start to make their appearances, there’s another fright lurking in the shadows – your home! As you dive into the season of spooky costumes and festive decorations, why let a messy house be the true horror story?
Reserve your spot today and let us help transform your haunted house into a cozy retreat. After all, there’s nothing scary about having a little help to keep your home in tip-top shape! cleaner-spirits.com | cleanerspirits@gmail.com | @cleanerspirits Don’t Let The Dirt Haunt Your October
We create mouthwatering, high-quality images that make dishes look irresistible. With expert styling, lighting, and attention to detail, we help brands stand out and drive appetite. Whether for menus, ads, or social media, our photos turn food into crave-worthy visuals that sell.
Where Science Meets Strength
OSTEOSTRONG EDEN PRAIRIE
According to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, nearly one in two Americans over 50 are at risk of fractures due to low bone density. The consequences – pain, immobility, infection, and even death – are serious. But there’s a powerful way to fight back.
Enter Wolff’s Law: the proven principle that bones adapt to the stress placed on them. Left inactive, they weaken. But when stimulated properly, they grow stronger. That’s the science behind OsteoStrong.
At OsteoStrong Eden Prairie, you’ll find robotic musculoskeletal devices that deliver targeted, high-impact resistance – at least 4.2 times your body weight – to trigger osteogenesis, or bone growth. And it only takes 15 minutes once a week.
“That’s all it takes to start seeing results,” says Julie Eischens, owner of OsteoStrong centers in Eden Prairie, Edina, Woodbury, and Eagan. “Some members have seen double-digit increases in bone density within six months.”
Julie speaks from experience. Diagnosed with osteopenia at just 36, she turned to OsteoStrong when she found it at 49 – and saw life-changing results.
“I felt the difference almost immediately,” she recalls. “My bones, muscles, and joints got stronger. My balance improved. My back pain and arthritis pain faded. It was like flipping a switch.”
And it’s not just for older adults. Julie shares the story of a high school athlete plagued by stress injuries. After a year of OsteoStrong’s osteogenic loading – a safe, controlled form of high-impact training – he was injury free, racing competitively and faster than ever. By senior year, he made it to state.
OsteoStrong’s four unique machines target the upper body, lower body, core, and posture – no heavy weights required. Every session is guided by a certified coach who supports and encourages you every step of the way.
Who is OsteoStrong for?
Seniors. Athletes. Office workers. Cancer patients. Anyone who wants to build a stronger, more resilient body.
“One of our clients, born in the mid-’50s with arthritis, fell down a flight of stairs,” Julie shares. “She looked bruised but didn’t break a single bone. That’s the kind of win we celebrate every day.”
Ready to take control of your bone health? Visit OsteoStrong Eden Prairie at 8345 Crystal View Road, Suite 100. Call (651) 583-5001, or email prairiecenter@osteostrong.me to schedule your courtesy phone consultation. Learn more at OsteoStrongMN.com.
BEARPATH GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB SWIM AND DIVE TEAM
It’s building confidence and skill in a supportive environment. It’s welcoming kids ages 5 to 17, regardless of ability or background. It’s ten consecutive Western Swim League titles and 22 Western Dive League championships in the last 25 years. It’s Donut Fridays. It could only be the Bearpath Golf and Country Club Swim and Dive Team!
“This pool has been like a second home to me over the past 25 years,” said Brent Pottinger: Forest Hills Elementary fifth grade math teacher during non-swimming months, and Bearpath head swim coach during others. “I’ve welcomed more than a few kids to the Swim Team when they were preschoolers, only to see them leave it as undergrads. It’s been a special thing, watching so many kids grow up.”
“I joined Bearpath in 2019,” said Breanna Torkelson, head dive coach. “This job was the perfect landing for a gymnast who also dove in high school and college, but that’s not why I love it here so much. Bearpath is a real honest-to-goodness community. You’re part of not just one but hundreds of families. I love creating a space for them where hard work pays off and competitive spirit is celebrated.”
“For many of our youngest Bearpath swimmers, the dream begins with simply jumping into the pool, learning strokes, and making new friends,” said Brent. “But as they grow within the program, a bigger goal comes into view: earning the honor of becoming a team captain.
MAKING A BIG SPLASH IN EDEN PRAIRIE
“Every swimmer earns the title of ‘Captain’ during their last two years of eligibility. This milestone is a celebrated tradition in our program, giving each athlete the chance to step into a leadership role, encourage their teammates, and leave their own legacy on the team. One of the favorite traditions among the Captains is the Captains’ Games, which is an event they organize and run for the whole team. Kids look forward to this day all year long.
“This tradition not only celebrates dedication and leadership, but also helps keep our swimmers engaged year after year. Many stay in the program longer, motivated by the opportunity to one day wear the title of Captain. It’s a goal that inspires commitment, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging that extends well beyond the pool deck.”
“Swimming is especially physically exhausting, and diving can be downright scary at times,” said Breanna. “There’s a lot of serious focus and determination at work here. We keep things fun and help kids work their nerves out by supervising plenty of purely noncompetitive activities, such as casual cannon ball contests, mini trampolining from the pool deck into the water, and – of course – Donut Fridays.
“We’re real with ourselves. Most of these kids are here to enjoy an exciting summer pastime, and little more. That’s why fun is always the main outcome we’re rooting for. At the same time, the team also provides a place for swimmers who love to compete. Together, that mix of fun and dedication is what makes our program so strong and successful.”
“Breanna’s not exaggerating,” said Brent. “The Bearpath Dive Team recently racked up their 11th straight Western Dive League championship. It’s their 22nd title since 2000! Our Swim Team has been similarly blessed with success – something we owe as much to our team members’ skill as we do their passion.
“One girl immediately comes to mind. She began swimming with us when she was 5 years old. She went on to become a highlevel swimmer, ultimately leaving Bearpath to pursue other opportunities with her club team. Sadly, a shoulder injury put the brakes on those ambitions at age 17.
“When I heard she’d quit her club team, I sent her a letter welcoming her back to Bearpath. Imagine how happy I was when she accepted!
“But then something incredible happened. It was 2022. We were in that summer’s championship meet and locked neck and neck with Wayzata Country Club – our greatest rival – and it was her turn to swim. To our amazement and against all odds, she didn’t just win. She set a record that hadn’t been broken for 20 years, which helped Bearpath win the meet by 12 points.”
“Times like those are amazing,” said Breanna. “But really, Bearpath Swim and Dive Team is all about kids smiling big when they learn something new, or accomplishing something they never otherwise thought they could have. We’re creating experiences kids will cherish for the rest of their lives.”
Children of Bearpath members can sign up for Swim Team, Dive Team, or both. Early registration begins in March 2026. Visit BearpathGolf.com to find out more!
John turned a magazine into community.
City Lifestyle isn’t just a publication — it’s a pulse. A rhythm of voices, neighbors, and stories woven together by someone who believes in the power of connection. As we expand, we’re looking for people ready to turn care into community. Are you ready to be that spark?
Sure, Flying Dutchman Spirits serves stuff-of-life cocktails in a comfy-airy-lots-of-natural-lighty kind of environment.
Sure, Flying Dutchman Spirits’ secluded hidey hole and fantastic patio are right here in EP, just off Highway 212.
Hold on a minute. Life-alteringly restorative rum, gin, vodka, crème de cacao, and other feel-goodiness potions … mixologists worth their margarita salt, practicing their science in mighty suave digs … the absolute cat’s pajamas of a location … it’s almost as if Flying Dutchman Spirits is meant to host…
AWESOME HOLIDAY COCKTAIL PARTIES
…and it is. It’s all co-owner Katie Nelson’s doing.
“Crafting the Twin Cities’ finest liquors sure helps,” said Katie. “It helps keep us in rich supply of that most essential thing to hosting cocktail parties. But as anyone who has ever drank it alone can attest, liquor is no party by itself. That’s because liquor isn’t a finished product once it’s bottled. There are still three things missing.”
Jonathon and Katie Nelson, Owners
FUN! FUN! FUN!
Amusing themed cocktails. Live bands and DJs. Riveting activities! Flying Dutchman Spirits cocktail parties premiumize the liquor experience a hundred different ways. But if Katie can lay claim to a signature instrument of jollification, it’s—
“DECORATIONS!” interjected Katie. “Decorating is a passion I get to exercise all the time as we prepare the lounge for all kinds of private events. Birthday, anniversary, retirement, wedding, bachelor, bachelorette, and about-to-become-a-dad parties; we match the space to suit whichever special occasion is at hand.
“But holidays? Holidays are even more special, because I get to decorate the ways that made me fall in love with decorating in the first place. Take Halloween, for example, which is when we absolutely creepulate the lounge with bats, cats, cobwebs, spiders, and even a 15-foot-tall Jack Skellington.”
THAT’S A BIG SKELLINGTON
Halloween at Flying Dutchman Spirits: a spooky good time? You be the judge. Don your best costume on Saturday, October 25th and attend from 6 until 11pm so you can sip on a Jackorita, Frankenstein’s fury, poison apple martini – or maybe even two, who knows? – while you mash to the DJ’s hot mix. You’ll be glad you put on your best costume like I told you to when you find yourself in the running for one of $500 in cash prizes. Nice. Cha-ching.
After Halloween comes the Toys for Tots drive, which is the neatest toy drive because the United States Marine Corps does it. "We begin our drive during the first week of November," explained Katie. "We collected a huge number of toys last year, and we look forward to breaking that record with our guests' help this holiday season!
“The toy drive is also the perfect way to build up the right kind of energy for our big Christmas party on Saturday, December 13th. We’re going to deck the lounge with thousands upon thousands of ornaments, and double our number of ten-foot-trees to a nice even six. We’re bringing back the ugly sweater contest, with cash prizes for the best (worst?) three entrants. We’re still sorting out the cocktail and mocktail menu, but if last Christmas taught us anything, it’s to stock up on a lot more habanero agave if we ever decide to serve ‘The Grinch’ again.”
WHAT ABOUT SANTA?
“Cocktail parties aren’t really Santa’s scene,” Katie continued, “He drinks milk. But we can’t just not have the guy, which is why we’re hosting a separate family-friendly Christmas celebration on a still-to-be-determined date. We’ll serve hot cocoa – both spiked and unspiked – plus hot toddies and other holiday cocktails for the ‘big kids.’ We’ll decorate sugar cookies, meet real live reindeer, and take pictures with Jolly Old St. Nick himself!”
FUN!
Look far, far ahead to Valentine’s Day, when Flying Dutchman Spirits will host the most romantic evening that has ever been romanticized, complete with a live singer.
“I’m not sure if I can name all the cocktails we served during last year’s Valentine’s in a family-friendly magazine,” said Katie. “But one of them – the chocolate strawberry martini, which is made with vodka, crème de cacao, fresh strawberry purée, and real chocolate – is only obscene in the sense that it’s obscenely delicious.”
You don’t need a date to celebrate! Attend Flying Dutchman Spirits on “Galentine’s” and toast to that special bond you share with your mother, sister, daughter, or any other known female associate. Galentine’s will be held on Friday, February 13th
Website is FDSpirits.com! Address is 6801 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie! Time to drink is now!
Stacked for Fall
THE SEASON’S BEST SANDWICHES
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
There’s something deeply satisfying about a well-made sandwich—especially when it comes together with minimal effort but delivers big on flavor. As the season changes and appetites grow heartier, fall is the perfect time to get creative with ingredients tucked between slices of crusty bread or buttery rolls. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your lunch routine, enjoy comforting flavors and bold textures, or impress guests with a no-fuss meal, these easy-to-make sandwiches strike the perfect balance between simple and sensational.
Savory Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream
INGREDIENTS
• 2 slices crusty bread (sourdough, ciabatta, French bread)
• 6 oz roast beef
• 2 slices provolone cheese
• 2 tbsp butter (for toasting)
• 2 ½ tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp horseradish sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Arugula
• Cherry tomato
• Caramelized onions
INSTRUCTIONS
Toast the bread. Butter one side of each slice and toast in a skillet until golden. Heat roast beef briefly in a pan. To make the spread, mix mayo, horseradish sauce, and Dijon. Spread on the toasted bread. Layer roast beef, cheese, and broil briefly to melt. Add arugula, tomato, and caramelized onions if using. Top with the second slice of bread.
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich
INGREDIENTS
• 1 grilled chicken breast
• 2 slices pepper jack cheese
• 2 slices cooked bacon
• 1 tbsp fruit jam (fig, raspberry, or jalapeño recommended)
• A handful of fresh arugula
• 3–4 cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 tbsp garlic aioli
• 1 brioche bun (toasted)
INSTRUCTIONS
Lightly butter the inside of the bun and toast in a skillet or oven until golden brown. Spread a layer of garlic aioli on the bottom bun. Add the sliced grilled chicken breast. Place the pepper jack cheese over the hot chicken to slightly melt it. Layer on the crispy bacon slices. Add halved cherry tomatoes and a small handful of arugula. Spread the jam on the top bun. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
• 3 oz goat cheese
• Fresh arugula
• ¼ cup caramelized onions
• 1 pear, thinly sliced
• Honey, to taste
• Butter for toasting the bread
• Rotisserie chicken breast thinly sliced
• Sourdough bread, buttered (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Spread goat cheese on one side of the bread. Top the cheese with arugula, caramelized onions, sliced pears and chicken breast. Drizzle with honey. Top with remaining slice of sourdough bread. Use a griddle or panini press to heat the sandwich.
Honey Glazed Pear & Chicken Sandwich
Winter Is Coming!
Winter activities have more gear for us to squeeze into already tight spaces. Everyone needs access to good storage– let's update your mudroom and laundry to find more space, organization, and function. Call or text us today for a free consult and discover new ways to live clutter-free.
