Things are getting spicy on First Street in downtown Chaska. Last month, a new Indian restaurant opened in the space adjacent to the Best Western River Inn and Suites.

Hotel, and now restaurant, owners Mit and Hina Shah wanted to bring a taste of their home country to the southwest suburbs. When Rain restaurant closed earlier this fall, they quickly took over and renovated the space to make it their own.

It's Just Perfect, located in the Chaska Depot, now offers homemade fudge.

Owner Barb Bach said the addition is called "Grandma Becker's Fudge Factory. All fudge is made on site with real butter and cream.

For more information, visit 3115 Chaska Boulevard, or call (952) 361-4900.

Petco is coming to town.

Interim City Administrator Matt Podhradsky confirmed that construction activities in Chaska Commons, next to the Rainbow Foods, are for a new Petco pet store. “There was always an addition area,” said Podhradsky.

An addition to the Rainbow Foods store was approved as part of the original Chaska Commons development in the mid-90s. Rainbow had the first option to add on to their store, but after years at their original size, “Rainbow opted not to expand the store,” said Podhradsky.

A new Indian restaurant opened in Chaska today. Spice Up is located adjacent to the Best Western Chaska River Inn and Suites. For more information, visit www.chaskaspiceup.com.

The Chaska Area Chamber of Commerce will merge with chambers in Victoria and Chanhassen to become the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce. The details of the merger were revealed to chamber members at a luncheon Thursday afternoon.

The new chamber will be headquartered in Chaska, at the North Meadows Office building on Bavaria Road.

By Mark Weber

The president of Southwest Newspapers has announced his retirement from the company he organized and led for the past 35 years.

Stan Rolfsrud, 61, combined the operations of five community newspapers in Chaska, Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Jordan and Prior Lake in the 1970s and operated them as a group. The organization also started the Chanhassen Villager and the Savage Pacer.

This Entegris building will be closed. 

Entegris, one of Chaska’s largest employers, has announced planned cuts of 200 employees at its Chaska plant.

The downsizing impacts about 7 percent of the company’s overall workforce, and will bring Entegris’ Chaska employment down to 550 jobs. All of the impacted jobs are in manufacturing. Entegris primarily makes products related to the semiconductor industry,

Workers will know their employment status by Nov. 14, according to Chief Financial Officer Greg Graves. The cuts won’t take place until the first quarter of next year, Graves said.

Watch out Gedney Pickle Man.

There’s another classic advertising icon in town, with a few tricks up his proverbial sleeve. He’s pink, he can float on air and he makes bath time fun.

That’s right. Mr. Bubble has come to Chaska.

It wasn’t a long haul from Walnut Street around the corner to Second Street, but Jason Vanderscoff hopes Five Stars Recovery Center’s move will help expand its reach into the community.

“Most of society doesn’t think treatment works,” said Vanderscoff. “But it can.”

After nearly four years of planning, construction and convincing neighbors it would be OK, Aeon is finally celebrating the opening of its Clover Field Marketplace in Chaska.

Grand opening festivities are scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29