By Mark W. Olson

Cooper’s County Market won’t become a Cub Foods, according to owner Gary Cooper.

Last April, the Herald reported that Cub representatives had made an offer, which grocers Gary and his wife Sandy Cooper thought was “reasonable.”

In the article, Gary Cooper said Cub would tear down the existing Cooper’s store, and build a new Cub. However, Cub went on to make a “180-degree turn,” he said.

Looking for a place to locate your small business, your office, your restaurant? Look no further. Chaska’s got space – plenty of it.

A rough count of retail/commercial vacancies in Chaska turned up more than 48 available spaces all around town, from small storefronts in the Chaska Commons to the massive Chaska Building Center.

Steel beams continue to emerge from the earth at the northeast corner of highways 41 and 212 as the Two Twelve Medical Center goes up.

Construction began on the first phase of the $19 million Ridgeview facility in mid-October. When completed, it will contain a 24-hour emergency room/urgent care, primary and specialty care clinics, a laboratory, a pharmacy as well as imaging and rehabilitation services.

Traditions – Old & New, the restaurant and bar formerly known as “The Willow’s,” at Dahlgreen Golf Course, opens its doors with a new menu the evening of Friday, Feb. 12.

“We are excited about our ideas and collaborating with Dahlgreen Golf Course in efforts to be a destination place,” stated general manager Jacqi Hellendrung, in a press release.

Opening weekend consists of dinner and wine for two, with entertainment provided by single-mom comedian Darlene Westgor on Saturday night.

It has been more than five years now since Chaska.net began residential service in town. The city’s wireless Internet utility has come a long way since then, as has Internet in general. And like the Internet, no one has a good idea of what exactly the future will hold for Chaska.net.

“There are decision points coming up,” said City Administrator Matt Podhradsky. “But I don’t see Chaska.net not in existence.”

Crews are back at work trying to get Chaska’s wind turbine ready to generate energy.

“On Monday, the MMPA [Minnesota Municipal Power Agency] took over the commissioning of the turbines,” said Derrick Dahlen, president of MMPA and Avant Energy. “That was a right we have under contract.”

Pauly's American Grill, which recently closed, will re-open as Cuzzy's of Chaska. A liquor license application was made by Daniel Lee, John Lee and Robert Goral. It will be on the city council agenda for approval Monday night.

According to the city council packet, the three gentlemen currently operate The Victoria House in Victoria and Cuzzy's in Minneapolis. They have a lease agreement worked with Charlie Webber, owner of the Pauly's building and "would like to open the business as soon as possible after the liquor license is approved."

For the many commuters who sit in traffic on new Highway 212 each morning, the wind turbine installed near Pioneer Ridge Middle School has begun to look like less of a functioning turbine and more of a statue depicting a turbine. That’s because, after three months, it’s yet to spin.

“I guarantee nobody has steam coming out of their ears more than I do when I drive by,” said City Administrator Matt Podhradsky, at Monday night’s council meeting.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum grounds are now entirely tobacco-free, effective immediately.

According to a press release, "No smoking or use of tobacco is permitted on the grounds of the 1,137-acre University of Minnesota public garden and research facility located in the west metro suburb of Chanhassen.