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Maynards Restaurant

History

Maynards sits on a longstanding family-friendly property. Once the home of the historic Excelsior Amusement Park, where families came for summertime enjoyment from 1925-1973.[1] It is in an area, just west of the Twin Cities, in Minnesota, where people have come to enjoy the beautiful lake and casual atmosphere even for the decades following the close of the Park, until Maynards opened in 1998. Maynards’ owners are seasoned restaurateurs who saw an opportunity to utilize this once-loved, family-friendly space, and create this community landmark.[2]

Mission Statement

Maynards considers itself a place people can call home, including both locals and tourists. They want all of their customers to feel welcome and comfortable. They want people to relax and enjoy themselves. Maynards prides itself on a combination of high-quality, reasonably priced food that is prepared consistently from one visit to the next. This is their mission.[3]

Locations and Hours

Maynards has two locations. The original from 1998, and most famous, is on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, in Excelsior, Minnesota. In addition to their spacious indoor bar and restaurant spaces, they have a large outdoor patio and even more seating on their wharf on the water’s edge. Boats and jetskis can pull up and park right at the wharf’s piers.[2]

They opened a second location in 2005 in the growing community of Rogers, Minnesota, north of their original location.

Maynards is open seven days a week, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

Types of Foods and Promotions

Maynards accommodates many types of dietary needs with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu items. They also offer a kid’s menu, and an early-bird menu. They offer happy hour specials everyday, and various promotions throughout the year. For example, they offer an extensive all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch during the winter months. Additional winter features include Monday night Burger Night, Tuesday night Steak Night, and Wednesday night Date Night.

Maynards prides itself on having a menu that can fit everyone’s appetite. In addition, their high-energy bar area brings people together for lively happy hours, and big sporting events with many big-screen TVs.[3]

They serve the same menu on the patio as they do inside, and a similar, but smaller, menu on the wharf. Outside they also have large TVs, two large fireplaces, many bean bag toss courts for the guests to use as they wish, and an apparel shop.[4]

Community

Maynards honored their roots at their 20th Anniversary Celebration in 2018 when, among other things, they had a ferris wheel reminiscent of the Excelsior Amusement Park.

Throughout their history, Maynards has made giving back to its community a priority.

“Maynards has been actively involved in many community organizations and events. The restaurant hosts an annual ICA Food Shelf fundraiser, sponsors the annual Excelsior Fourth of July fireworks show and hosts the North American Pond Hockey Championship, with the proceeds going to ALS research.”[2]

Expansion

Beginning in the summer of 2018, Maynards has partnered with another local business to create and sell apparel.[4] In 2005, Maynards added another location in Rogers, Minnesota.

References


 * 1) Larsen, Stephanie (July 6, 2011). “Take a step back in time in Excelsior.” Patch. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
 * 2) Kieffer, Paige (May 30, 2018). “Maynard’s Restaurant to give back to customers during 20th anniversary weekend celebration.” Sun Sailor.  Retrieved March 9, 2019.
 * 3) Schwarze, Amanda (December 7, 2016). “Before Bayview: The history of 687 Excelsior Boulevard.” Lakeshore Weekly News. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
 * 4) Kieffer, Paige (June 1, 2018). “Maynard’s Restaurant in Excelsior expands by partnering with The Boat House Apparel Company.” Sun Sailor. Retrieved March 9, 2019.