Wayzata Bay Center

The Wayzata Bay Center was a 1960’s era shopping mall located on 14 acres of swamp land in downtown Wayzata, Minnesota.

It has been redeveloped into the Promenade of Wayzata, a mixed use project with commercial and residential occupancy.

Join us as we travel back in time to discover more about the Wayzata Bay Center.

It was unanimously approved by the Wayzata Planning Commission for the construction of the Wayzata Bay Shopping Center.

Spearheaded by Richard W. Anderson and Ed Baker, the project received the commission’s endorsement, marking the beginning of a new era at the east end of Lake Street in the swampy region.

The approval, however, came with a set of carefully negotiated stipulations – 21 in total – agreed upon by both adjacent residents and commission members.

Among these conditions was a commitment by Anderson and Baker to cover 50% of the cost for traffic signals if increased traffic warranted them.

The duo also pledged to maintain a peaceful atmosphere by prohibiting outdoor music on electronic devices, establishing a 50-foot buffer zone, and ensuring ample parking space.

Of particular concern were issues related to traffic safety and drainage, echoed by residents during the meeting.

Fears were voiced about potential complications to traffic hazards and the creation of drainage problems on Gleason’s Creek if the swampy land for the center were filled in.

In response to these concerns, Anderson reassured the community that the center would be strategically located in the middle of the site, with parking areas on all sides sloped downward toward diverting ditches along the edges.

This engineering approach aimed to mitigate potential drainage issues and address worries about traffic safety.

The approval process was not without its share of unexpected events.

As Chairman William O’Laughlin called the meeting to order, the town fire alarm sounded, prompting various reactions.

While doubtful that it was a pre-arranged signal, the alarm added a touch of unpredictability to the proceedings.

Looking back, the Wayzata Bay Shopping Center stands as a testament to collaborative decision-making and foresight, with its development carefully navigated through a maze of stipulations and community concerns.

Today, it has been redeveloped and reshaped into the Promenade of Wayzata, a mixed use development with over 1,000,000 square feet of condos, a boutique hotel, restaurants, heated streets, underground parking, and much much more.

It was home to many of Wayzata residents favorite businesses, including The Foursome, the Wayzata Bar & Grill, Wayzata Wine & Spirits, The Original Pancake House, Lindblom Jewelers, Kraemer’s True Value Hardware store, Youngsted’s Goodyear Service Center, Bob’s Shoe Repair, the Blue Water Theatre Company, Barber’s Inn, and many more over the years.

Information sourced from a variety of sources including the Minnetonka Herald and the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.

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