WAYZATA — Live music will return to the Wayzata Depot Park this summer as the Wayzata Rotary Club presents its 2026 Music by the Lake concert series.
The free concerts will be held on six consecutive Wednesday evenings in July and August. Food and beverage service will begin at 6 p.m., followed by music from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
“This venue is perfect for families and attendees to enjoy a relaxing summer evening while listening to various musical performances & enjoying a brat dinner, beer, wine & other treats!” said Ben Hovland.
The 2026 concert schedule includes:
July 8 — Free & Easy Band
July 15 — Elvis with Anthony Shore
July 22 — Jessie Street Band
July 29 — Jeff Dayton & Friends
Aug. 5 — 45RPM
Aug. 12 — Sugar Buzz
Held beside Lake Minnetonka at the historic Wayzata Depot, the series attracts residents, families, students and visitors for summer evenings of live entertainment along the waterfront. Several returning Wayzata favorites will be joined by performers bringing new sounds to the concert series.
Brat dinners, beer, wine and other refreshments will be available for purchase beginning at 6 p.m.
The concerts are free and open to the public. Attendees may bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating in the park.
Net proceeds from food and beverage sales will benefit the Wayzata Rotary Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization that distributes grants supporting programs and projects throughout the community.
“The Wayzata boys lacrosse team lost to top-ranked Farmington in the state tournament semifinals, falling to the Tigers 17-6. The Trojans trailed only 3-2 after the first quarter but the Tigers scored nine second quarter goals to lead 12-3 at halftime. Farmington, with eight players who have scored 21 or more goals this season, got four goals each from Caden Hennes and Brooks Furney. Thor Soukup scored twice the for Trojans. Farmington (18-0) plays Stillwater for the state championship Saturday while Wayzata (15-3) meets East Ridge for third place.” via CCX Media.
Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks celebrated the grand opening of its newest Twin Cities location May 29, bringing the locally founded restaurant concept to downtown Wayzata.
The restaurant opened at 810 Lake Street E., in the former D’Amico & Sons space at the Cross Creek shopping center. Tono marked the occasion by offering a free pizza to the first 100 guests arriving for the 4 p.m. opening.
“Thank you everyone for coming out — this has been a location on our mind for a really long time,” co-owner and co-founder Shaz Khan said. “Welcome to Tono – Wayzata!”
Submitted image.
Tono specializes in individual brick-oven pizzas and Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks, combining two family culinary traditions in a fast-casual restaurant setting.
The company was founded by Khan and his longtime friend and business partner Antonio Gambino. Before launching the first Tono restaurant in Maplewood in 2019, the pair opened Frank & Andrea in Minneapolis’ Dinkytown neighborhood in 2016.
Gambino comes from a family with longstanding ties to the Twin Cities pizza business. His father, who was from Sicily, founded Andrea Pizza, known for its locations in the downtown Minneapolis skyway system. Gambino’s mother was from Philadelphia, providing the other half of the inspiration behind Tono’s pizza-and-cheesesteak menu.
According to the company, its pizza dough and sauce recipes were developed more than 45 years ago. Tono’s menu includes 12-inch pizzas, several varieties of cheesesteaks, salads, appetizers and desserts. Its cheesesteaks are prepared with fresh prime beef and Amoroso’s rolls, a Philadelphia bakery brand closely associated with the sandwich.
Submitted image.
The Wayzata opening continues Tono’s expansion across the Twin Cities, with restaurants now operating in communities including Maplewood, St. Paul, Woodbury, Chanhassen, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Elk River and southwest Minneapolis.
The new location adds another casual dining option to Wayzata’s eastern Lake Street business district and places the growing Minnesota restaurant company within walking distance of downtown shops, residences and the Lake Minnetonka waterfront.
Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks is located at 810 Lake Street E. in Wayzata.
One Wayzata would replace previously approved memory-care facility with 14 privately owned senior condominiums
The Wayzata City Council unanimously granted another one-year extension Tuesday for a long-delayed senior living project in the Holdridge neighborhood, allowing its developers additional time to pursue a substantially revised ownership and care model.
The council adopted Resolution 30-2026, extending zoning approvals for One Wayzata through March 7, 2027. The project, previously known as Harbors of Wayzata and Cantissimo, is planned for 1405 Holdridge Terrace and 15419 and 15429 Wayzata Boulevard East.
The original proposal received city approval in March 2023 as a 42-unit memory-care facility. Developers now plan to retain the same general building footprint while reconfiguring the interior into 14 larger, privately owned senior condominiums offering access to in-home health care services.
Rather than leasing an apartment in a traditional senior living facility, residents would own their units while receiving care through The Waters, according to materials submitted to the city.
Todd Holmers
Project partner Todd Holmers told the council that the change followed conversations with prospective residents who were interested in purchasing rather than leasing their homes. The developers subsequently began working through condominium association documents, budgets, licensing requirements and interior redesigns.
The proposed units are being marketed as luxury residences with concierge-style services and varying levels of senior care.
Project representative Kyle Didier said the ownership structure is unusual but that the team has worked with care providers and legal advisers to ensure the building can meet licensing and building-code requirements associated with assisted living.
Kyle Didier
“I’m a big believer that this is a game changer,” Didier said.
Developers told the council that the building would be designed to support residents as their care needs increase, although they could not guarantee that every resident would be able to remain in the building under every medical circumstance.
Another Extension for a 2023 Approval
The project has received several extensions since its initial approval.
The council first approved the planned unit development, rezoning, plat, variance and design review in March 2023. Extensions followed in February 2024 and March 2025.
In February, the applicant requested another full-year extension but did not attend the council meeting to answer questions. Council members instead approved a 120-day extension, moving the expiration date to July 5 and directing the development team to return with more information.
City staff described the latest request as the project’s fourth extension.
An incomplete application outlining possible changes to the planned unit development was submitted in late March. Community Development Director Alex Sharpe said the materials did not contain enough information for staff to determine whether the revised design remains consistent with the city’s existing approvals.
Changes under consideration include revised exterior elevations and additional private garages.
The applicant told the council that complete renderings and supporting materials are expected to be submitted within the next 30 to 60 days. If the changes are not consistent with the approved planned unit development, additional city review and a formal amendment may be required.
Council Expresses Support and Caution
Council members generally remained supportive of the proposed senior housing use, while acknowledging concerns about the length of time that has passed without construction.
Council member Molly MacDonald said the project continues to address a community need and recalled that surrounding residents had been supportive when the original proposal was reviewed.
Council member Ken Sorensen said he believed the development could become an asset to Wayzata but expressed some skepticism about whether it would ultimately move forward after several years of delays and limited communication with city staff.
Council member Alex Plechash, who opposed the shorter extension approved in February, said his earlier objection was largely based on the applicant’s absence from that meeting. After hearing the presentation Tuesday, he said he was intrigued by the new business model and supported giving the development additional time.
The extension preserves the existing zoning approvals, but the developer must still submit complete plans, obtain the necessary city reviews and move the project toward construction before the approvals expire next March.
In his June 3 extension request, Holmers said the development team had begun marketing the residences and had a waiting list of interested Wayzata residents.
“Upon our first few deposits, we can commence construction, likely this summer,” Holmers stated.
The council also discussed a neighbor’s concerns about dead and fallen trees on the property. The applicant agreed to continue cleaning up the site and remove additional dead trees during the summer. Mayor Andrew Mullin noted that the cleanup commitment was entered into the meeting record but was not made a formal condition of the extension.
Wayzata Public Schools’ outgoing and incoming superintendents appeared together before the Wayzata City Council on June 16, marking the district’s approaching leadership transition.
Dr. Chace Anderson, who is retiring after 18 years as superintendent and 43 years in education, introduced Dr. Robb Virgin, who will officially become superintendent July 1.
Anderson used the appearance to thank Mayor Andrew Mullin, City Council members, city staff and previous city leaders for their longstanding relationship with the school district.
“We so much appreciate the collaboration and the work that we’ve done together over the years on a number of projects,” Anderson said.
He reflected on the changes that have taken place in downtown Wayzata and throughout the surrounding community during his tenure. Anderson said the city and school district have worked as strategic partners while serving many of the same residents, students and families.
“I’m finding myself in this feeling of gratitude,” Anderson said as he thanked city leaders for their kindness, collaboration and work on behalf of the community.
Introducing Virgin was among Anderson’s final responsibilities before completing the leadership transition. Anderson said he has known Virgin for several years and was pleased with the School Board’s selection, although he was not involved in the superintendent search.
Virgin Credits Anderson and District Leadership
Virgin thanked Anderson and the district’s leadership team for providing mentorship and helping prepare him for the new position.
He said Anderson’s commitment to an orderly transition has allowed him to enter a school district that has been carefully led and positioned for continued success.
Virgin also told the council that he feels fortunate to be joining a district with strong relationships among its schools, cities and other community organizations.
“Great communities are built on those partnerships,” Virgin said. “When our leadership teams work together, all of our residents, our students, our families, everybody, our business, everybody benefits from that.”
Virgin committed to continuing the district’s relationship with the City of Wayzata and invited council members and staff to contact him when the district may be able to assist with the city’s work.
“Please don’t hesitate to be in touch,” Virgin said.
Virgin Shares His Educational Background
Virgin began his career as a social studies teacher in Wisconsin and later taught in Farmington. He also coached basketball, soccer and track and field.
His professional experience has included teaching courses at the University of Minnesota, supervising student teachers, serving as a high school principal and working in district administration.
Virgin recalled meeting Anderson while the two educators were attending a state swimming meet at the University of Minnesota. At the time, Virgin was working toward his doctorate and questioning whether he would finish the program. He said Anderson encouraged him to develop a plan and complete the degree.
Virgin most recently served as an assistant superintendent in Eden Prairie Schools.
He told the council that Wayzata Public Schools’ established culture was among the qualities that attracted him to the superintendent position. Virgin described the district as having “a commitment to just everyday sustained excellence” that has produced a strong environment for students and staff year after year.
Virgin said his work in neighboring districts, along with relationships with colleagues and families familiar with Wayzata Public Schools, had already given him an appreciation for the district.
He will formally assume the superintendent position July 1.
The direct quotes come from Anderson’s opening remarks, Virgin’s comments about community partnerships and Virgin’s description of the district’s culture. The more distorted portions of the transcript remain paraphrased.
“The Wayzata girls track and field team took home their second consecutive Class AAA state championship over the weekend. Maddie Gullickson won her sixth individual MSHSL track championship with a state record-breaking time of 4:41.65 in the 1600m. The Wayzata boys and girls 4×800 relay teams also finished in first place overall. Maple Grove’s girls 4×400 team finished in first place as well. Armstrong’s Mykhailo Protsenko took third overall with a throw of 179-5.” via CCX Media.
“The Wayzata boys tennis team of Jacob Salisbury and Nolan Beduhn won the state Class AA doubles title Friday afternoon. The Trojans duo beat Eden Prairie’s Varin Tangeti and Zayden Chau 6-2, 6-3 in the final. Wayzata’s Ethan Turunen finished second in the singles tournament, losing a hard fought battle to top seed Soren Swenson of Mounds View 7-5, 7-6 (4).” via CCX Media.
“The Wayzata baseball team was able to beat Edina 11-1 in game one of the Section 6AAAA final, but couldn’t come out on top in the winner-take-all game two, falling 14-6. The Trojans were able to put together multi-run innings in the first game, highlighted by a bases clearing triple by Hunsley Cole. In game two, the Trojans took a 6-5 lead, but Edina outscored Wayzata 8-1 in the final three innings of the game. The Trojans finished their season with a 20-10 record.” via CCX Media.
Wayzata Sailing will welcome the community to its annual Open House and Summer Celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Mike Plant Community Boathouse, 456 Arlington Circle.
The free event marks the return of a summer tradition that Wayzata Sailing describes as a kickoff to “real” summer — the season of no school, lake days, grill-outs, swimming and time spent at the sailing center. All ages are welcome, including families, friends and community members.
The evening will include Kona Ice, yard games, supervised swimming, a grill-out, a photo booth, staff introductions, new equipment, 2025 merchandise orders and a summer supplies donation collection. Wayzata Sailing is billing the event as “NO COST • ALL FUN • FREE FOOD.”
The open house will also include a brief board recognition program honoring leaders from Wayzata Sailing’s foundational history. The organization notes that about 20 years ago it became an independent operation, with board members at the time making key decisions that helped shape its future as a community access point for Lake Minnetonka, sailing and adventure.
The schedule begins at 4:30 p.m. with overlap childcare coverage for Week 1 camps for those who RSVP. Kona Ice and games begin at 5 p.m., the grill opens at 5:15 p.m., and a welcome and board recognition program is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. The event returns to informal activities at 6 p.m., with food and staff closing the building at 7 p.m.
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