The Platzke Real Estate Group is Eden Prairie’s Home Selling Team across all brokerages, known for exceptional marketing, expertise, and results. Partnered with the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program an industry leader with $288 million in daily sales they provide unmatched local, national, and international exposure across hundreds of websites. Your property reaches countless qualified buyers, delivering outstanding results. You simply will not find better representation.
“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 ”
The Shakopee Social District is your go-to spot for patio vibes, open-air fun, and browsing with a brew.
Open daily from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. May 1–October 31 and the first weekend in December
ShakopeeMN.gov/socialdistrict
How the Minch Stole Eden Prairie
Everyone on our mailing list likes Eden Prairie a lot. But the Minch, who lives outside our distribution area, did NOT! (The Minch is a brand new original character, so a copyright lawyer can’t sue me, the narrator.)
Around every Christmas the Minch grumbled and groaned. “Look at those locally owned businesses,” he bemoaned. “The noises they make! And the cookies they bake! And the helpful tax revenue they all generate! Hmph. Eden Prairie’s economy isn’t something I venerate.”
A big wicked grin spread across his green kisser. “What if I flush that economy straight down the commode? By stealing my way into Eden Prairie tonight, where I’ll stuff all its businesses in a sack and take flight?”
The Minch waited ‘til dark to sneak in in disguise. His campaign of larceny didn’t end ‘til sunrise. He stole The Mustard Seed’s houseplants. He emptied Kowalski’s. He pinched The Hearth’s pizzas and each Realtor’s house keys. He grabbed all of SCHEELS’ clothing; the women’s and men’s. He broke into First Western and swiped all the pens!
The Minch jammed his loot into an AV8 Flight School plane. “Now Eden Prairie residents will never participate in local commerce again!” He rode with his load ‘til he was over the river, where he prepared to dump it until he felt a slight shiver.
He looked down on our town from the door of the plane. “They’re waking up now! Will they soon complain? That the fine goods and services they’re so used to buying are about – with a push of my hand – to go flying?”
But instead … they sang.
Uff-da, yah-sure, oh-you-betcha
We read our favorite magazine last night.
Uff-da, yah-sure, oh-you-betcha
Eden Prairie Lifestyle, bring your light!
That’s when the Minch noticed something sticking out of his sack: a magazine, with a Summit Orthopedics ad on its back. He snatched it, and read it, and read it once more. He then pulled the sack back from its spot by the door.
“Now I realize how wrong I’d be to jettison this freight. Eden Prairie businesses aren’t bad. They are great! ”
And so the Minch landed with his cargo intact, and restored everything to where it had been initially packed. He announced to the crowd, “Sorry for the terrible thing I have done!” To which some lady answered: “Aww! Doncha worry about it, hon.”
JOHN LEE, PUBLISHER
December 2025
PUBLISHER
John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sue Baldani, Bill Scheller
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chad Mattson, Andrew Vick
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Unlock Your Best Health with Predictive 360. Discover your personalized health roadmap with LX Medical’s Predictive 360. Our extensive lab panel examines key biomarkers—from insulin sensitivity, hormone levels, and inflammation markers to cortisol and gut health— revealing what your body truly needs. Enhance your insights with optional genomic, allergy, and predictive imaging tests. Benefit from a one-hour expert consult, nutrition and supplement balancing, access to advanced peptides and ongoing monitoring to keep your health plan in tune with your evolving needs. Take charge of your health today.
business monthly
Veridian Credit Union Cuts the Ribbon
Veridian Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative dedicated to helping everyone achieve financial success. Veridian exists to serve the best interests of their members and create long-term value throughout every stage of life. Veridian offers many of the same services you would find at a bank, and also returns earnings to their members through higher savings rates, free or low-cost services, and lower loan rates. VeridianCU.org
Ellie Belle Cuts the Ribbon
Ellie Belle’s flagship boutique in Eden Prairie offers a luxury shopping experience like no other! Their selection features high-end designer fashion, accessories, beauty, and skincare handpicked for the modern, sophisticated shopper. Ellie Belle operates on an appointment-only basis, ensuring everyone receives personalized service and expert styling advice. Their custom tailoring and embroidery, bespoke creations, bridal fittings, and expert alterations create the perfect fit for every shopper. EllieBelle.com
MC Agency Cuts the Ribbon
MC Agency specializes in crafting insurance policies that precisely address your property, liability, and casualty concerns. Their agents take a proactive approach to identifying potential factors that could affect your premiums or alter your risk profile, and ensure the ongoing protection of your business via consultative services and robust risk management strategies. Reach out today for business insurance, management liability insurance, cyber liability insurance, or personal insurance! MCAgencyLLC.com
Want to be featured?
The Speech Company Cuts the Ribbon
The Speech Company helps individuals of all ages and backgrounds improve their communication skills and achieve their fullest potential. Their licensed and certified speech-language pathologists are passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and play-based intervention rooted in real relationships. The Speech Company’s services follow a person-centered approach, building upon each client's interests and prioritizing their needs while giving them the tools to be successful within their everyday world. TheSpeechCompanyMN.com
The Vital Stretch Cuts the Ribbon
The Vital Stretch is more than stretching. It’s about empowering people to move freely, feel stronger, and lead active, vibrant lives! Whether it’s easing the daily stress of an office worker, helping an athlete reach peak performance, or giving a retiree the confidence to stay active, The Vital Stretch Method – a clinically inspired, hands-on approach to assisted stretching – transforms lives. Find relief, restore flexibility, and stretch your limits. Schedule your initial consultation today! TheVitalStretch.com
Little Blind Spot Receives New Ownership
Congratulations to Mark Johnson and Bill Osteraas on becoming the new owners of Little Blind Spot in Hopkins! Minnesota’s largest window treatment showroom offers a full line of custom window coverings – from blinds and shades to fabric treatments and wood shutters – by Hunter Douglas. Little Blind Spot services residential and commercial markets with both interior and exterior window coverings, with specialties including uniquely shaped windows, motorized products, and restringing and repairing blinds and shades. LittleBlindSpotMN.com
Finance That Fuels Your Vision.
ACCOUNTING THAT SCALES
From
FRACTIONAL CFO SUPPORT
Get
REPORTING & FORECASTING
Track
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
WE HAVE THE *REAL* MEATS
KOWALSKI'S MARKETS
I have tried Kowalski’s Akaushi wagyu rib roast. It tastes as though a nearly impossibly chance sequence of cosmic events cast a little stone marble into some otherwise unremarkable pocket of universe, upon which light and molecular juju gradually softened
“We have gone all out with center-ofplate items this year,” said Mary Anne Kowalski, owner. “The holiday requisites are all here, including oven-ready turkeys and spiral-cut hams that look like they were plucked straight from a Rockwell painting. There are delec-
“IF IT HAS OUR NAME ON IT, THEN IT HAD BETTER BE GOOD!”
raw firmament into lush grassland, and later into cattle, and later still into a civilization which produces beef so good that it causes one to reflect on how fortunate they are to occupy a very specific place and point in time.
And that’s only one example of Kowalski’s finest. The Twin Cities’ woman-owned family-run grocery – which fortunately occupies Eden Prairie – has assembled the loveliest selection of holiday meats you ever will see.
Whole organic turkeys weighing upwards of twenty pounds. Minnesota-grown Berkshire hams which put any Yorkshire’s best work to shame. Prime rib delivered to the pinnacle of tenderness by twenty-eight days of in-house dry aging. Shrimp, lobster, crab, salmon, crab stuffed inside of salmon, and plush scallops ensconced within pink and white streamers of porcine perfection.
tably prepared legs of lamb that we have all but roasted for you, and Island Creek oysters fresh off the plane from Massachusetts. We have also gathered an assortment of prime, choice, and Akaushi beef roasts – all natural, and humanely raised on ranches we have inspected personally.”
“Meat is special,” said Kris Kowalski Christiansen, CEO and Mary Anne’s daughter. “It doesn’t give imperfections anywhere to hide, which is why we do everything to source the highest-quality cuts as we’re able. Fresh. Free range. Free of antibiotics. Free of cruelty. Locally sourced. Raised or caught from the wild with minimal impact on the environment. And, of course, delicious. These are the stars which guide us on our quest to provide meats worthy of you and your loved ones during this most special time of the year.”
“Not just meats,” added Mary Anne. “Pièces de résistance.”
Do you enjoy demonstrating affection toward your loved ones by cooking superlative eats, but not necessarily preparing them? Let Kowalski’s kitchen elves take the reins on this year’s menu. They prepare fifteen-pound all-natural free-range turkeys, marinated in herb and sweet onion and spatchcocked for easy roasting; six-pound slabs of prime New York strip, wet-aged for the length of the Great Deluge and masterfully massaged into their seasonings; Minnesota-grown racks of Duroc pork which glitter like gold upon the caramelization of their apricot glaze! Please excuse me. I have to go lie down.
“We are very proud of our culinary team’s creativity,” said Kris. “Whether they work in our meat, bakery, or deli department, they’re always coming up with better recipes than I could have ever imagined. And whenever we recognize a local vendor whose best efforts surpass our own, we’re only too eager to recruit them. For example, we acknowledge that Knoke's Chocolates and Nuts of Hudson, Wisconsin makes profoundly better peanut brittle than we can, and admit defeat by offering it at all of our stores.”
“But as any mother would tell you, mom’s recipes are always best,” said Mary Anne. “That’s why we have incorporated several of our family’s beloved recipes into Kowalski’s offerings, including my mother’s own fudge. We make it just like she used to, with one exception: we do not stick great big bowls of it outside to cool in the snow. The eternal temptation of my childhood!”
“NOT
JUST MEATS. PIÈCES DE RÉSISTANCE.”
“My father Jim’s side of the family is also well represented by his mother’s famous chip dip,” said Kris. “It’s a blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire and onion: seemingly simple, yet actually devilishly hard to proportion correctly. There have been many attempts to recreate it, but they all wind up coming out slightly different. At this rate, it’s looking increasingly likely that Grandma Betty will forever sit at the base of a phylogenic tree of dips. (The sauce, that is; not me and my cousins.)”
“Would you like the long story, short?” posed Mary Anne, rhetorically. “If it has our name on it, then it had better be good!”
Visit Kowalski's at the corner of Main Street and Eden Prairie Road. Visit Kowalskis.com to order Eden Prairie’s best tasties to your doorstep.
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
THE MUSTARD SEED
House of Leaves
Art? You want to know about art ? OK. I’ll tell you about art.
Hopper’s Nighthawks. Homer’s Snap the Whip. Wyeth’s Christina’s World. I have seen these and many more American magnum opuses, plus plenty of other vastly inferior European “paintings.” And you know what I say about them?
THEY’RE ALRIGHT
Now, don’t get me wrong. If you gifted me Pollock’s original Number 1 (Lavender Mist), I’d absolutely hang it up in my office where I would draw heaps of inspiration from it. I’d maybe even begin writing like this: sGg4F70LBHsd.
But at the end of the day, even the most masterful example of mankind’s artistry shrivels in comparison to an original by the Creator. For proof, visit The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center’s greenhouse at 10,000 Great Plains Boulevard, Chaska and behold a Norfolk Island pine. It doesn’t just look like it could be alive. It is life – and if you traced its roots back far enough, they would guide you all the way to life’s grand, glorious debut on Day Three. Plus it smells nice, and you’re allowed to take it home with you. Try asking if you can do the same with Sargent’s Portrait of Madame X and The Met will firmly ask you to leave.
“Nothing brightens up a room quite so much as beautiful houseplants,” said Kelly Lorenz, general manager of The Mustard Seed. “That’s why we take care to curate such a wide variety of them. It ensures that each customer can add joy and energy to any living space regardless of their budget, lighting, or time constraints.”
There’s no better time to peruse The Mustard Seed’s sultry greenhouse than in December, when an average day contains twelve nonconsecutive minutes of sunlight. You’ll witness Christmas cacti, which toss about flat, almost crustaceous fronds that terminate in bursts of fuschia-white flowers; lipstick plants, which dangle pendulous red blossoms from shelving or ceiling baskets; aptly named goldfish plants, which bear bulging tuberous orange petals that end in little kissy lips; the emerald-green Zanzibar gem, which stays leafy and happy with quarterly waterings; and the snake plant, which similarly won’t throw a hissy fit if it is only watered sporadically. There are even pitcher plants and Venus flytraps, which exhibit behavior typically only observed in postlapsarian Day Five and Six creations.
“And of course we have poinsettias!” said Kelly. “That good old-fashioned green-and-red Christmas standard, which has waned in popularity in recent years due to the rumor that it’s poisonous. Not true! Sure, it might irritate your stomach, but you’d have to eat several salads’ worth before you begin feeling sick.”
I know what you’re thinking: “Go and buy several plants from The Mustard Seed and keep them for myself.” You are extremely correct to think that. But you should also buy them to give as gifts to your loved ones and your not-necessarily-loved-per-se-butstill-very-much-appreciated ones as well.
“Plants are the gift that keeps on giving!” said Kelly. “A plant can last forever if it’s taken care of correctly. And if it’s taken care of poorly, then at least it will have been a lovely gesture.”
IT’S CHRISTMAS AT THE MUSTARD SEED
Visit The Mustard Seed any weekend this December from 10am to 1pm to have your family photographed with Santa! Just bring $5 and your own camera.
Visit The Mustard Seed on December 6th from 10am to 2pm to meet those most Christmassy hoofed mammals of all: llamas, which will be festively dressed and ambivalent about being photographed.
Visit The Mustard Seed on December 13th from 10am to 4pm for the Holiday Forest Fair: a free event featuring nature-themed vendors, demonstrations, children’s activities, food, and refreshments.
The Hearth
A FAVORITE LOCAL PIZZA ROLLS INTO A NEW INDOOR HOME
ARTICLE BY BILL SCHELLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHAD MATTSON
When Tim Huinker built an outdoor kitchen in his back yard, he was thinking pizza – but had no idea he’d also be cooking up a new career.
“I built an all masonry oven from a kit,” says Tim, a landscape designer and builder. “Brick and mortar, wood fired.” Early in its second season, Tim’s new oven had a big job to handle – a party of two hundred, for his daughter Ashley’s high school graduation. Ashley wanted pizza, and Tim obliged, turning out eighty-five pies.
Tim Huinker, Owner
Soon, Tim’s back yard was the go-to place for pizza parties, and he got used to hearing his guests say how great it would be if they had an oven like his. Tim’s response was to see to it that they didn’t need one. He found a company that sold a wood-fired pizza oven trailer, and created Rolling Hearth Bistro. Towing his oven throughout the area, he brought his artisan pies to private parties, wedding receptions, corporate events, and wherever people got together and craved good pizza.
The Rolling Hearth hadn’t been rolling for long when Tim and his wife Kris started hearing the next big question: “Where’s your restaurant?” The answer, of course, was to start one.
Tim and Kris opened The Hearth in Eden Prairie in mid-October of this year. The stars of their menu are Tim’s pizzas, made with his own sauces – “I came in with the
sauce,” Tim proudly remarks – and served in 10- and 14-inch sizes.
Settling into his brick-and-mortar location required a few adjustments, particularly with the available heat source. “We still make brick oven pizzas,” Tim explains, but the restaurant uses gas, not wood. “There’s a learning curve to switching over,” says Tim. “The technique is a little different – the dough, for instance, needs a little more time to proof.” Along with his sauces, a key ingredient is the traditional Italian pizza flour, Tipo (type) 00.
One constant to strive for, whether pizza ovens are fired with wood or gas (and there are East Coasters who swear by coal) is a light, puffy crust, airy and never dense or “bready.” Ideally, pizza crust should be speckled with the charred spots that reveal a quick bake over intense heat. Tim mastered that effect with his mobile oven, and he’s brought it with him to The Hearth.
The Garbaggio
Toppings? The Hearth menu starts with simple Neapolitan standards like the Margherita, made with fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and ramps up to specialties such as the Carnivore (sausage, pepperoni, and bacon), the Ball Hog (sliced beef, veal, and sausage meatballs), the Dixie Clucker (white sauce, grilled chicken, crunchy onions, and feta), and the Garbaggio (we’ll have to check our Italian dictionary to see if that’s a real word, but you get the idea).
The Hearth is more than a pizza restaurant. “I handle the pizza side, but we were fortunate to be able to hire the chef who worked at the restaurant that was at this location before we moved in,” says Tim. There’s a full menu of starters (we like the sound of the Sourdough Cheese Bomb, a loaf stuffed with garlic butter and melted mozzarella), hand-helds ranging from a classic sausage and pepper to Philly cheesesteak to a Chicagoinspired thin-sliced beef sandwich topped with a helping of giardiniera (that, we know, is an Italian word, and it’s delicious).
Burgers, pastas, and soups are all house-made. “We even make our own pickles,” Tim adds.
The Hearth’s bar offerings include, along with a select list of wines and beers, an array of craft cocktails that changes with the seasons. “We’ve got a maple bourbon Old Fashioned,” says Tim. “Through October, we offered a drink called Witches’ Brew, made with violet-colored Indigo gin and blue Curaçao. Next up will be specials for Christmas, and cold weather.” When summer rolls around, The Hearth is the place for an Aperol Spritz. And there are all the standards – game day specials always include Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
And the Rolling Hearth still rolls. “We cater private parties, and you’ll find us at public events – fairs and festivals,” says Tim. “The mobile unit promotes the restaurant, and vice versa.” This time of year, though, we’d head straight to the place where the mozzarella stays melted. What could be cozier than a Hearth? TheHearth.us
FIRST western BANK & TRUST
It’s Christmas Eve. Your fireplace is crackling. Your tree is dazzling. Your treats are plenteous. There is nowhere you would rather be than where you are now: in the warm, festive, treat-filled confines of your living room.
“Here’s to family!” you say to your family. You all raise your snifters of eggnog in toast. As the glass leaves your lips, your attention shifts to your tree. You notice that something about it seems … off Is a bulb blown out? Is the tree missing one of the several hideous yet precious macaroni art ornaments your children made over the years? Has the cat crept up in there again? No. Nothing appears to be out of place until your eyes drift to your tree’s asset-free base.
Oh no. You forgot to buy presents.
“I’m just … going out … to get more … subway tokens,” you half-mumble to your confused family as you grab your coat and keys. “But honey,” your spouse interjects. “The nearest subway system is in Chicago.” Your front door muffles whatever they say next.
You smash your fists against your steering wheel in frustration upon discovering that SCHEELS closed hours ago. Bella Gina Boutique. The Mustard Seed. Yetzer Home Store. Kowalski’s. It’s the same story for all the other best local spots to buy gifts. Finally, in total desperation, you pull up to the nearest gas station and bolt inside.
It’s Christmas morning. Your son looks content with the two-pack of Little Trees “Black Ice” scented air fresheners you bought him. Whether she likes it or not, you’re satisfied that your daughter is now equipped to check tire pressure wherever she goes. “And this is for you, darling,” you say to your spouse, planting one whopper of a smooch on their brow as you hand them their gift. “Wow,” they exclaim upon unwrapping. “Three bags of potato chips. You … shouldn’t have?”
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
The Best Christmas Cards of All: Gift and Credit
David Thompson, Market President
Meghan Carlson, Universal Banking Supervisor
Something about your spouse’s huffy demeanor throughout the rest of the day suggests to you that you royally bungled this Christmas. But what were you supposed to do? Somehow magically purchase the perfect gifts for everyone at one convenient location only a couple of days prior? Gifts that they could have used to acquire literally anything their little hearts desire?
Yes. You should have done just that. More specifically, you should have gone to the Eden Prairie branch of First Western Bank & Trust and gotten:
GIFT CARDS
“Gift cards!” said David Thompson, market president. “They’re the perfect gift for everyone – especially those friends and family who are so famously hard to buy gifts for. Ours are accepted wherever Visa cards are taken, so your loved one will have blanket spending power the instant they’ve unwrapped their present.”
“First Western gift cards give you total control over how much you give,” added Meghan Carlson, universal banking supervisor. “Once you have purchased a card for a small fee, you’ll be able to charge it with however much cash as you please. Our gift cards also provide far greater security than cash. If one is lost or stolen, we can instantly lock it and provide a replacement.”
But maybe your cash on hand doesn’t equal your spirit of giving. Maybe your good will toward men (and women) can only be adequately expressed with the aid of:
CREDIT CARDS AND HELOCS
“Need a new credit card for all those exciting holiday purchases?” asked David. “First Western is happy to oblige. A credit card is a great way to bridge the gap during the spendiest time of the year, and can be a real lifesaver if some unexpected expense pops up after you’re already tapped out from gift shopping.”
“Many of our clients come to us in need of financing for very large and impressive gifts, like a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation, or the down payment on a house,”
said Meghan. “They often discover that a home equity line of credit, which is available with a competitive rate and a relatively long term, fits their needs perfectly. And because our very own Peter Haugen makes all of our lending decisions in-house, we’re able to approve HELOC applications in as few as three days!”
Visit First Western at 100 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie. Visit FirstWestern.Bank to learn about every personal and business banking solution our local bank offers!
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
DEFINE YOUR FUTURE
Kiley Demery, Financial Advisor
Redesign your home for single-level living with a well-planned addition. Increase your value and always maintain your independence. Our Universal Design and Construction process ensures reliability by getting things done right the first time. You’ll know what’s happening and who’s coming with your own Project Dashboard.
It’s fanning the flames beneath the crucible of mercantilism.
It’s forging mutually beneficial business connections within our community.
It’s cultivating a city in which goods and services are abundant, jobs are always just around the corner, and property values stay substantially ahead of the mean.
It’s the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, which is celebrating another successful year of fortifying our fair city!
“High impact. High value,” said Pat MulQueeny, president of the chamber. “Our goal is to create both with each and every effort we undertake.
“We’re serving over three hundred sixty members ranging from local entrepreneurs to Eden Prairie’s largest employers. We’re promoting homegrown manufacturing, local restaurants, and other key businesses which have the greatest impact on our quality of life. We’re helping employers connect directly with Eden Prairie youth, and showing those same kids why their
Leaders for Community Prosperity • Advocates for Business
most promising futures await in their hometown. We’re guiding business owners around all the legal and regulatory roadblocks on their paths to success.
“And this coming year, we’re bringing our town’s aspiring businesses even closer together with over one hundred programs and events. We offer something great to every business, plus amazing targeted programs planned by our volunteer committees.”
THE WOMEN'S COMMITTEE
“The Women’s Committee is one of our most popular programs,” Pat continued. “It had been decimated by the pandemic, but has already recovered to a point where some of their events are sold out. It’s proof of a heartening trend: women actively engaging in business and creating opportunities.
upcoming chamber events
• PowHER Up Networking BreakfastWednesday, December 3rd, 7:15-9am at The Original Pancake House
• 2025 EPC “Of the Year” AwardsWednesday, December 3rd, 11am-1pm at Green Acres Event Center
• 2025 EPC Annual CelebrationThursday, December 4th, 4:30-7:30pm at Fat Pants Brewing Co.
• Business@Breakfast - Wednesday, December 10th, 7:15-8:30am at SCHEELS
• Emerging Leaders Luncheon - Thursday, January 22nd, 11:45am-1pm at Fat Pants Brewing Co.
Pat MulQueeny, President
“Whether they’re meeting for a networking breakfast, business luncheon, golf clinic, or an evening of ever-popular Purse Bingo at Fat Pants Brewing Co., Women’s Committee members are forming advantageous connections and becoming more effective entrepreneurs. Attending any one of their events is well worth your time!”
THE EMERGING LEADERS COMMITTEE
“Are you just getting your start in Eden Prairie’s business scene? Then our Emerging Leaders Committee is here to give you the boost you deserve.
“Attendance at the Emerging Leaders Committee’s regular happy hours and ‘Bites of Knowledge’ luncheons has grown around five-fold since its foundation last year. And as 2026 rolls around, we’re looking forward to creating even more opportunities for professionals of all ages to form valuable relationships with one another, receive insight and mentoring from local industry leaders, and gain leads that will drive their businesses forward. It’s not uncommon for a chamber member to gain multiple leads during their first time at one of the committee’s events.”
THE SMALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
“We have high hopes for the Small Business Roundtable: one of our newest programs, which convenes monthly so members can network, develop new skills, and openly discuss industry trends and whichever challenges their own businesses are facing.
“Many small business owners get so bogged down by their manifold day-to-day duties that they begin neglecting sales altogether. That’s precisely the reason why one of our recent roundtables focused on how to maintain a sales funnel when you have a million other things going on all at once.
“Small businesses aren’t just the linchpin of a healthy local economy. They are the American dream – and, uncoincidentally, our greatest shared passion here at the chamber. When one of our neighbors excels, our whole neighborhood becomes that much better for it.”
THE BRIGHT FUTURE
“National news may predict doom and gloom, but I foresee a far sunnier future – a great city, where professionals and businesses support each other, promote one another, and grow together. We will be Eden Prairie: the Midwest’s shining light of prosperity!” EPChamber.org
Care for and train our dogs from puppies to service dogs, attending weekly classes and practicing cues in and outside of home.
Host Homes
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! Volunteer
Open their hearts and homes to our dogs, while our staff trains them during the daytime. Foster a future service dog!
2025 MOTION IS LIFE 5K / 1 MILE
CADENCE CHIROPRACTIC RAISES FUNDS FOR GOOD BOYS AND GIRLS
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Dogs and cats are cute. You should pet them and love them! But sadly, your ability to love all the billions of dogs and cats of the world is limited. You cannot so easily pet them in Spain or Micronesia.
Reader: Don’t lose heart. You can still shine your light on lots of good boys and girls by supporting Pet Haven of Minnesota, which has rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed thousands of precious punims for over 70 years.
“I
LOOK FORWARD TO BEING SURROUNDED BY SO MUCH JOY AND ENERGY EVERY YEAR I HOST THIS EVENT!”
“I was introduced to Pet Haven by Julie Urban, who owns a clinic next to my own,” said Dr. Amanda Haeg of Cadence Chiropractic. “I discovered that she fosters for them after admiring one of the adorable kittens she brought in to work. I was impressed by everything Julie told me about Pet Haven – especially the lengths they go through to find loving forever homes for stray and abandoned pets.
“I thought to myself, what better nonprofit to support during this year’s Motion Is Life 5K/1 Mile?”
Since 2017, the Motion Is Life 5K/1 Mile has been Cadence Chiropractic’s signature fundraising event. Named after the clinic’s motto – an affirmation that healthy movement leads to all good things – it amounts to a casual gathering of do-gooders and lovers of strutting for causes. It’s Dr. Haeg’s way of threading our community closer together.
“I leave all my competitive spirit on the football field,” said Dr. Haeg, who has played for the Pittsburgh Passion. “The Motion Is Life 5K/1 Mile has no timer or set distances. We walk around the pond behind my office, or up and down City West Parkway, and wrap with coffee, bananas, and other kinds
of snacks you would expect from a chiropractor. Fun for the whole family. Come as you are!”
The greatest havers of fun at the Motion Is Life 5K/1 Mile are the dogs, who are ambivalent toward causes both good and bad, but who love running with pack and mooching snack. “Participants’ dogs bring contagious enthusiasm to the event,” said Dr. Haeg. “I look forward to being surrounded by so much joy and energy every year I host this event!”
I asked Dr. Haeg the obvious question.
“I am by no means an animal chiropractor. That would take years of additional training,” she answered. “That being said, I have adjusted my dad’s dog a couple of times. She seemed intrigued! I’ve also attempted chiropractic on my cat, Stealth, who made it quite clear she did not appreciate the gesture. Though sweet, she’s also a master of the stoic stink eye.”
The 2025 Motion Is Life 5K/1 Mile raised $1,000 for Pet Haven. Stay tuned for next year’s event to be held once again in October!
CadenceChiroMN.com | PetHavenMN.org
2025 Twin Cities Walk for Apraxia
Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy Helps Children Find Their Voices
ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER
Childhood apraxia of speech is a rare motor disorder affecting one to two out of every one thousand children. Those with it have every muscle they need to speak correctly. Their brains just aren’t able to tell those muscles what to do – yet. With the right community and speech-language pathologist (SLP) behind them, intelligible speech is within reach for any kid with apraxia.
Apraxia Kids is here to help.
“Our mission is to strengthen the support systems for children with apraxia,” said Jaimie Barca, walk manager for Apraxia Kids. “Our focuses include training SLPs to diagnose and provide specific therapy for apraxia, funding evidence-based research into more effective forms of treatment, and educating the community so parents, teachers, and other caregivers can more readily recognize signs when a child needs help.
“Our entire team shares the same passion for apraxia, and always looks forward to supporting each year’s Twin Cities Walk for Apraxia.”
“Apraxia requires specialized and much more intense therapy than many other speech disorders, and there are only a few precious years when therapy can have its greatest effect. By raising awareness of apraxia, we’re ensuring that more kids receive the immediate interventions they need to reach their best outcomes.”
In addition to raising awareness in around 60 American and Canadian cities each year, the Walk for Apraxia is Apraxia Kids’ largest fundraising effort. “We also celebrate Apraxia Stars – children who inspire us by overcoming one of the most challenging speech disorders – by awarding them medals and certificates during a special ceremony,” said Jaimie.
“Our talented SLPs treat a wide range of conditions, but childhood apraxia of speech will always be nearest and dearest to my heart,” said Julie Urban, founder of Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy in Eden Prairie.
“My first private client was a little boy with childhood apraxia of speech. He made me rethink my therapeutic approach very early on in my career, ultimately compelling me to become a better SLP and devote more of my resources to such a complex disorder. He’s a big part of the reason why Urban
Speech & Occupational Therapy, which is now in its fourth year of business, has become widely known as ‘The Apraxia Clinic.’
“That same little boy would go on to become an official member of the Kansas Jayhawks football team, proving that an apraxia diagnosis does not hold you back from achieving your dreams.
“Our entire team shares the same passion for apraxia, and always looks forward to supporting each year’s Twin Cities Walk for Apraxia. Around three hundred people attended the walk at Rosland Park in Edina last October, where we set up a table filled with games for the kids and had a drawing for parents to win gift cards donated by T.J. Hooligan’s and Zen Away.
“We were beaming while we watched some of our own kids receive medals for all their hard work. They also helped us carry the Apraxia Kids banner at the head of the walk – an honor we received for raising the most money for the event. Thank you to everyone who helped us raise $7,792.35; a huge increase over the $2,000 we raised last year, and the third largest donation out of all this year’s Apraxia Walks!”
UrbanSpeechMN.com Apraxia-Kids.org
327 Marshall Road, Suite 305, Shakopee, Minnesota, 55379 Now taking applicants for 2025 tax season for preparers, reviewers, & office staff. Send to info@jh.tax
952-445-5020 | Fax 952-445-5021 |
Flying Cloud Animal Hospital has assembled a devoted care team that has been part of the community for 45 years, providing quality care to our clients and their furry friends The new location provides more resources, more parking and more appointment availability. We offer routine wellness visits, vaccines, sick visits, urgent care visits, dental prophylaxis, surgical procedures and more. We have a board certified cardiologist and board certified surgeons that travel to our facility to assist our clients and patients with advanced diagnostic tools and procedures.
Live, from beautiful Eden Prairie Center, it’s the one – the only – GAME SHOW STUDIO! Our town’s premier game show party experience, starring you!
Let’s face it: appearing on a televised game show is a real long shot. And if you do somehow manage it, then you might just wind up squaring off against sharks – or, worse yet, committing a faux pas so embarrassing that it goes viral. “Hey, look!” strangers will shout upon spotting you in public. “It’s that person who guessed ‘Q’ on ‘G_ORG_ WASHINGTON!’”
That’s what makes being a contestant on Game Show Studio so much better than the filmed-in-front-of-a-live-studio-audience alternative.
You’ll play only with your friends, family, or colleagues right in the heart of town. There are no cameras. No viewers at home clucking at your tomfoolery. No fabulous prizes to clutter up your home or eat up all your accountant’s free time!
And now, here are the co-owners of Game Show Studio: fatherand-daughter team Tom and Emma Polusny!
[APPLAUSE]
“I came to Game Show Studio after spending over thirty years in the casino industry,” says Tom. “I celebrated a lot of big victories over the course of that career, but my favorite thing to do was always the simplest: providing fun and memorable entertainment to our guests.”
“My background is in athletics,” says Emma. “I played hockey for St. Cloud before going pro in Sweden. But no matter which team I joined, we would always bond off the ice by watching game shows together. Skates off. Snacks out. Party’s on . That’s what made me fall in love with game shows. And that’s why my dad and I chose to purchase Game Show Studio locations in Eden Prairie and Roseville after he left his job as general manager of Mystic Lake to become an entrepreneur.”
It’s Game Show Studio time! The excited contestants begin by selecting their swag: funny hats, rubber chickens, and other silliness paraphernalia. Once broken into groups, contestants select their respective team names. “Go crazy with it!” welcomes Emma. “We recently hosted Pink Pony Clubbers vs. The Hot Tamales.”
Without further adieu, it’s the main event! The studio hosts and producers, who are played by improv actors or standup comedians, whisk contestants away on a riveting one-hour revue of game show challenges such as “Survey Showdown” (featuring surveys answered by real Eden Prairie Center shoppers), “Wheel of Wonder” (which involves karaoke and dance battles), and “Final Frenzy” featuring “Clinko.”
The game thus played, hopeful silence hangs over the studio. The host pauses for peak dramatic effect. And the winner is … YOU!
[EVEN LOUDER APPLAUSE]
You get to pose with the gold trophy. You get to wish the giant check for $1,000,000 were real. You’re ecstatic that you chose to go to Game Show Studio!
“We have yet to provide an experience that hasn’t left our guests grinning ear to ear,” says Tom. “Our hosts are all incredibly talented at bringing out the funniest in people, and always know just the right level of energy our guests are shooting for. Your grandma’s birthday? Your bachelorette party? Your next corporate event, if you’d like your team members to really loosen up and enjoy each other’s company for a while? We’ll fine-tune your experience with just the right questions and puzzles for the occasion. Let us know which inside jokes you’d like us to slip in ahead of time. Anything goes!”
“We host special events of all shapes and sizes,” adds Emma. “Our location at the mall can accommodate up to 100 guests, and is fully set up for food and beverage catering. And if your party is larger than that, we can pack up our entire road show studio experience and deliver it to your church, school, company auditorium, or wherever!”
A. It makes planning a great group activity E-ZP-Z, breaks down social barriers like they’re made of rice crackers, and creates memories you’ll chuckle over for decades to come.
Q. What is Game Show Studio at Eden Prairie Center? That’s right! Visit GameShowStudio.com or call (612) 324-9444 today to book your one-hour studio session or private party!
This article was brought to you by exclamation marks. All Eden Prairie Lifestyle articles are written in front of a live house cat.
“WE HAVE YET TO PROVIDE AN EXPERIENCE THAT HASN’T LEFT OUR GUESTS GRINNING EAR TO EAR.”
Our clinic specializes in Semaglutide and Tirzepatide treatments along with offering the new and promising Retatrutide. On average, patients lose 15% of their body weight.
These game-changing medications have given our clinic over 400 local success stories and climbing. No matter what your weight loss goals may be, we are here to help you!
Feel free to call or stop by, walk-ins welcomed!
STANDARD HEATING & air conditioning
A HEART FOR SERVICE: CHAD NEEDHAM’S STORY
ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW VICK
It was a scorching Friday afternoon when Chad was wrapping up a service call at a townhouse complex. As he worked, a nearby resident came outside and gave his air conditioner a frustrated kick. Chad had just heard it start up and instantly recognized the issue a bad capacitor. Even though his day was nearly done, he didn’t hesitate.
“I told him I could call my dispatcher and find out if I could fix it while I was here,” Chad recalls.
The man was overjoyed. “I've never seen somebody so happy,” Chad says, smiling. “And he’s still a customer of ours seven years later. It’s a great feeling to help someone, and it’s really an honor when someone requests me in particular.”
About eight years ago, after working for a company that built custom aquariums for two decades, Chad was ready for a change.
The last aquarium project he worked on opened his eyes to a new direction. It was a new home build, and Chad worked alongside many contractors, one of whom was an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) installer. “He was super smart, and we got along really well,” Chad recalls. “He understood the science behind what he did, and he was curious. I could really see myself doing that.”
Inspired, Chad went back to school to learn the trade. Eventually, he interviewed with Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, based in Minneapolis and serving the Twin Cities metro area. “My wife is a massage therapist, and one of her clients happened to be a sales representative at Standard Heating,” Chad says. “I was interviewing at another HVAC company, but she convinced me to interview here instead.”
That decision changed everything.
Years later, Chad is confident he made the right choice, both in his career and in the company, he calls home. “I went to school with a bunch of people who do what I do, and many of them have bounced around from company to company,” he says. “That doesn’t happen here.”
At Standard Heating, the company’s values aren’t just words on a wall, they’re lived every day. “They’re posted all over and constantly talked about by the owners, managers, and employees,” Chad explains. “The top one is integrity. Do your job with integrity.” The others are Service, Expertise, and Character.
For customers, those values translate into genuine care. “You can tell people to do a good job, you can even try to force it, but when employees feel valued, they go above and beyond because they want to.”
In addition to being a service technician, Chad helps train new employees. “We have an accredited training program that helps all our employees grow their careers and earn credentials,” he says. “It’s a huge investment by the company, one that produces highly qualified people and benefits both the industry and our customers.”
He also makes sure new hires understand the importance of culture. “When I ask them what company culture is, I get all kinds of answers,” he says with a laugh. “But I always tell them, you are the company culture. Every one of you. We help each other, work hard, and strive to be better versions of ourselves.”
Chad’s approach to customer service is grounded in education and empathy. “There’s a lot of science behind what we do, and the average person doesn’t always understand it,” he says. “So, I make a point to explain things clearly, in everyday terms, so customers feel comfortable and confident in their decisions.”
By slowing down and taking the time to communicate, Chad shows customers that their understanding, and peace of mind, truly matter.
One experience stands out. “A customer who’d had bad experiences was really guarded when I arrived,” Chad remembers. “He sat next to me, watched every move I made, and didn’t say a word. I just stayed focused and figured out the problem.”
Once Chad took the time to explain everything, the man’s demeanor changed. “What he really needed was for someone to slow down and talk to him,” Chad says. “By the end of the appointment, he was showing me pictures of his grandkids and telling me all about his life.”
For Chad, every day on the job is about more than fixing heating or cooling systems, it’s about connection, trust, and doing right by people.
“It’s a great feeling to help someone,” he says. “That’s why I love what I do."
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE
JONES
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, these holiday drinks are guaranteed to bring a little extra cheer to your cup.
HOLIDAY COCKTAILS & COZY CREATIONS
BOURBON VANILLA BEAN HOT CHOCOLATE
An ultra-creamy, chocolatey holiday drink with a hit of warm bourbon and a vanilla bean twist.
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/2 cup high-quality dark chocolate (chopped or chips)
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp sugar or maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• 2 oz bourbon
Topping: 4 large marshmallows
Optional garnish: grated dark chocolate, whipped cream, cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, cream, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until smooth and heated through. Add chopped dark chocolate and stir constantly until melted and silky. Lower heat if needed to avoid scorching. Remove from heat, then stir in bourbon. Taste and adjust sweetness or strength to your liking. Top with marshmallows. Add whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and shaved chocolate.
Optional: Add a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne for spicy depth.
Kid-friendly version: Omit bourbon and add peppermint extract or caramel syrup instead.
SPICED CINNAMON RUM FLIP
A luscious holiday cocktail with warming spices, rich texture, and a beautiful cinnamon garnish.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 oz dark or spiced rum
• 3/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup
• 1 oz heavy cream
• 1 whole egg
• Dash of ground nutmeg
• Dash of vanilla extract
Garnish: cinnamon stick and a light dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS:
Make Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Simmer for 10 mins, let cool, and strain. Store in the fridge.
Add rum, cinnamon syrup, cream, egg, vanilla, and a pinch of nutmeg to a shaker. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds to emulsify the egg. Strain into a coupe or stemmed glass like the one in your photo. Top with a cinnamon stick across the rim and a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon.
Optional: Add 1/2 oz chilled espresso for a coffee kick.
CONTINUED >
FESTIVE
CRANBERRY
GIN FIZZ
A bright, elegant cocktail with a foamy top and a hint of holiday spirit.
• 2 oz gin
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
Optional: splash of sparkling water or club soda
Garnish: fresh rosemary or thyme sprig
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds to create the frothy top. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to get that smooth, foamy top. Add a small splash of sparkling water if you’d like a bit of fizz. Gently place a sprig of rosemary or thyme on top of the foam.
HOLIDAY SPICED GINGERBREAD LATTE
A warm, frothy, and festively spiced drink perfect for winter nights.
INGREDIENTS:
For the latte:
• 1 shot of espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee)
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp gingerbread syrup
• Whipped cream
For the gingerbread syrup:
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional toppings:
• Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting
• Marshmallow
• Crushed gingerbread cookie around the rim or on top
INSTRUCTIONS:
Make the gingerbread syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine water, brown sugar, molasses, and spices. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let cool. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Prepare the drink: Brew your espresso or strong coffee. Heat and froth your milk. In your glass, add 2 tablespoons of the gingerbread syrup. Pour in the espresso, then the steamed milk, stirring gently to combine. Spoon frothed milk or whipped cream on top. Dust with cinnamon or nutmeg.
Optional: Rim the glass with crushed gingerbread cookie crumbs for extra flair.
Helping You Plan for the Future
Leave nothing to chance. With attorney Andy Gregory at your side, you will rest assured that your wealth will be distributed exactly as you intend– and you will have comfort knowing there is someone to make health care decisions for you. Reach out today to schedule a FREE virtual or in-person consultation. Your peace of mind deserves nothing less than a personalized, comprehensive estate plan.
Redesign your home for single-level living with a well-planned addition. Increase your value and always maintain your independence. Our Universal Design and Construction process ensures reliability by getting things done right the first time. You’ll know what’s happening and who’s coming with your own Project Dashboard.
DECEMBER 2025
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
DECEMBER 4TH
Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Membership
Appreciation Celebration
8335 Crystal View Rd, Eden Prairie
Indulge in complimentary food from local vendors, bid on silent auction must-haves, celebrate accomplishments of the chamber over the year, and more during an exciting evening of festivities. Come as you are, and invite a fellow guest to share in the fun! EPChamber.org
DECEMBER 6TH
Performing Arts
Christmas Show
9301 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie
Join the Prairie School of Dance for a meaningful, engaging, and family-friendly performance highlighting through dance!
Tapping trees. Snowflakes on pointe. Dancing shepherds. They’ll all grace the stage during this celebration of the true reason for the season to be held at Grace PrairieSchoolOfDance.com
Mom’s Mornings With
17819 Hutchins Dr, Minnetonka
Small sips. Big plans! Join Sarah Breiner – the one and only Legal Mama – during this cozy, no-pressure, free estate planning workshop for moms. If you’ve ever wondered how you can legally protect your kids in the face of any challenge, this is one meetup you won’t LegalMama.com
