What's Chanhappenin' — August 3, 2026

Hey Chanhassen! We’re back. And you can count on this newsletter landing in your inbox every Monday morning again. We have some exciting updates to share this week, including where Chanhassen ranks among places to live in MN. Here’s What’s Chanhappenin.

In 1958, a local vision turned 160 acres of Chanhassen farmland into one of the state's most-visited attractions. What did it become?

Scroll down for the answer

Night to Unite 2026 · Tuesday August 4 · Chanhassen joins thousands of communities nationwide for this annual event, building bonds between neighbors, businesses, and public safety. Join a neighborhood block party — Carver County Sheriff's Deputies, Chanhassen Fire Department, and city reps will be visiting participating blocks on a first-come, first-served basis (they may not make it to every one). No registration needed — just find your neighborhood's gathering and show up.

Where to Vote · Primary Election Day is August 11, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. With construction still happening around town, double-check where your voting precinct is and plan for any detours you may need to take to get there. Find your polling location by visiting the Secretary of State's polling place finder and plugging in your address.

Chanhassen Ranks Top Places to Live · HomeSnacks just released their 2026 rankings of the best places to live in Minnesota, and Chanhassen landed at #3 out of 148 cities statewide — right behind Plymouth and Victoria. The ranking pulled from Census, FBI crime, and Zillow data across nine factors: home values, income, unemployment, crime, education, health insurance coverage, commute times, population density, and poverty rates.

The numbers back it up. Chanhassen's median household income sits at $143,651 — 61% above the state average — and the median home value is $548,742. Unemployment is a low 3.2%, and the total crime rate (637 per 100,000) ties for the lowest among the entire top 10. The write-up also gave a shoutout to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum as one of the neighborhood perks that makes the city stand out. Read the full ranking here.

Rising Concerns About E-bikes · If you've been on Nextdoor lately, you've probably seen no shortage of posts about e-bikes — and the modified, souped-up ones causing real concern for pedestrians and cyclists sharing the same trails. The City of Chanhassen's own Detective Mapleweather is back with a new video continuing his investigation into modified e-bikes, tackling the issue with a little more humor than your typical PSA.

For the real rules: a legal e-bike in Minnesota needs pedals, a seat, a motor of 750 watts or less, and a top speed under 28 mph — riders must be at least 15. Chanhassen allows all three e-bike classes on roads, sidewalks, and trails, but "e-moto" bikes that exceed 28 mph or ditch the pedals entirely aren't e-bikes at all — they're treated like motorcycles and aren't allowed on sidewalks or trails. Full details, including a downloadable guide, are on the city's e-bike page.

Old St. Hubert's — Where Things Stand

It was a big month for Old St. Hubert's — here's what you missed, and where things stand today.

The Save Old St. Hubert's Committee has been busy. They locked down a restoration cost estimate — approximately $1.5 million, confirmed through updated engineering and cost modeling by committee members who've spent decades building and restoring buildings across Carver and Scott County.

They also put a formal proposal in front of St. Hubert's Parish: a Letter of Understanding. The terms are simple — a 99-year lease between the parish and the nonprofit, with the nonprofit taking on full financial responsibility for restoration and ongoing maintenance. The parish gives up nothing and risks nothing financially.

That letter was submitted June 11. Since then, Fr. Talbot has reviewed it with legal counsel and is requesting formal approval from the Archdiocese — a real step forward, not a stall.

This committee isn't new to this kind of work. Several members have deep roots here — some third and fourth generation — and were directly involved in relocating St. Hubert's to its current campus, selling the former site to Chapel Hill Academy, and partnering on the Summerwood development with Presbyterian Homes.

Nothing is finalized yet. But the pieces are further along than they've ever been, and the people behind this aren't going anywhere.

Bill’s Toggery — The Local Tailor in Business for Almost a Century

In 1931, William N. Wermerskirchen started a dry cleaning service in downtown Shakopee with $300 borrowed from the corner bank. Nearly a century later, that same family is still running the show — in the same building where it all began.

Over three generations, the Wermerskirchens grew that small dry cleaning operation into Bill's Toggery, a full-service menswear specialty store now known for tailored clothing, formal wear, big & tall sizing, and expert fitting. The original dry cleaning side of the business never went away, either — it's still operating today as All Seasons Garment Care.

The building was purchased back in 1893, and it's still the same one Bill's Toggery calls home today. Inside, their "Custom Shoppe" doubles as a small museum piece, with displays tied to the building's history and a connection to Charles Lindbergh. Bill's Toggery holds the distinction of being the longest continually family-owned business in Shakopee — a title earned one fitting, one wedding, one loyal customer at a time.

Today, William J. "Billy" Wermerskirchen carries the torch as third-generation owner, blending nearly a century of tradition with a modern refresh the store got in 2016. Whether you need a suit tailored, a tux for a wedding, or just want to see a piece of Shakopee history, Billy and his team invite you to stop in.

📍 138 Lewis St S, Shakopee, MN 55379
📧 [email protected]
🕐 Mon–Fri 10am–6pm · Sat 10am–5pm

Happenin’ This Week

Happenin’ Soon

Ulta Beauty Chanhassen

There's a new spot in town for your beauty routine — Ulta Beauty has opened at 830 West 78th Street in West Village Center. It's the full package: makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance from hundreds of brands, plus a full-service salon on site offering hair, skin, and brow services. If you've been holding off on a haircut, this might be your sign to book one close to home.

📍 830 West 78th Street, Chanhassen
🕐 Sun 10am–7pm · Mon–Wed 10am–8pm · Thu–Fri 10am–9pm · Sat 9am–9pm

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum — Dr. Leon Snyder saw the potential when others didn't, and the Minnesota Horticultural Society raised the funds to make it happen.

1958 — Long before it became one of Minnesota's most-visited attractions, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum was just farmland on the edge of Chanhassen. That changed when the Minnesota Horticultural Society identified the need for a proper arboretum and raised the funds to acquire 160 acres, turning it over to the University of Minnesota. At the time, betting the project's future on a small town like Chanhassen was a real risk. Dr. Leon Snyder is credited with seeing potential where others didn't — and today the Arboretum has grown into 1,200+ acres of gardens, natural areas, and trails that draw visitors from across the state.

Source: Carver County Historical Society