Maple Grove Leaders Seek Diverse New Business Offerings

Perhaps Pints and Paddle is a microcosm of what Maple Grove city leaders want to be able to offer, from an economic development perspective. Consider this: the restaurant, which officially opened in September in The Grove shopping development off Highway 610 and Maple Grove Boulevard, combines something a lot of people love (pickleball) with two things even more people love: beer and food.

“We try to encourage a diverse set of options for our residents across all industries,” said City of Maple Grove Economic Development Manager Joe Amerman. “I think a lot of people think of Maple Grove and maybe their first impression is the Shoppes or the Fountains and the Grove up by the 610 intersection and they really think retail but we try to remind people there’s a whole suite of opportunities here in the city, and that it’s not just shopping, though we love it. That really is a sign, long term, of a strong local economy.”

Consider other new options that opened in 2023: a Dunkin’ Donuts under the same roof as an urgent care provider at the busy intersection of Weaver Lake Road and Elm Creek Parkway. Other restaurants that opened in the last year include Pancheros and Paulie’s, a restaurant with a full bar that also features a golf simulator.

Dunkin’ Donuts and American Care urgent care opened at the corner of Weaver Lake Road and Elm Creek Parkway in 2023.

On the retail side, one of the new stores to open is Wabi Sabi Shop, a consignment boutique just off Bass Lake Road and Highway 169.

“It’s easy to jump off the highway and have a meal,” said Amerman. “We want (everyone) to see that there’s some cute shops just down the street, and not just the chains, but local stores that are maybe only found here.”

Amerman mentioned the addition of a Broadway Pizza in the former Max’s on Main spot coming in 2024, along with a Tono’s Pizzeria and Cheesesteaks on Main Street. But he also mentioned a bigger opportunity for more diverse development: the new Boston Scientific facility that will employ thousands off Highway 169.

“That’s really one of the goals of that Boston Scientific facility, is to have something that large, that nice, and that attention-grabbing, because that’s going to serve as an anchor point,” said Amerman. “Other business see that and think that’s a place I want to be around, because it’s going to draw eyeballs and be impressive, and it really offers and opportunity to caterer not only to the workers of those businesses but also anybody else that may be visiting or driving by or just looking to see what’s going on.”

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