Lakewinds Natural Foods, a full service member owned co-operative grocer with locations in Minnetonka and Chanhassen, is on its way to opening a brand new store in Richfield at Lyndale Gardens.  An announcement was made to the Richfield City Council on December 11, 2012.

The Cornerstone Group had been negotiating with Lakewinds for a year and a half, beginning well before TCG acquired the site in

Lakewinds Chanhassen Store

November 2011.  “We knew the co-op was the perfect fit for Lyndale Gardens, but Lakewinds needed to figure out how the new store could best tie into the site design.  Ultimately, Lakewinds decided that building and owning the new store is in the best long-term interest of the co-op.  We are excited that they are on board, and they will be a tremendous asset to the Richfield community,” stated Colleen Carey, President of the Cornerstone Group.

Instead of leasing space in the rehabilitated garden center building, Lakewinds has entered into a purchase agreement that will allow it to demolish the existing building and create a new store in its place that complements the other uses on the site being developed by The Cornerstone Group (click here to download the latest site plan).  These include a 150-unit new multifamily building overlooking Richfield Lake, approximately 8,500 square feet of additional retailers, and a one acre Town Center that will connect to Richfield Lake Park.

The Town Center will include community amenities such as walking/bicycling trails, an interactive water feature, a center stage for community events and performances, and an outdoor fireplace.  The Cornerstone Group is in the process of applying for grants to fund public art that will be designed by local artists and integrated into the Town Center.

Lakewinds Natural Foods fits with The Cornerstone Group’s vision to create a great place to live, work, and play at Lyndale Gardens that incorporates art & artists, local food & urban agriculture, nature & open space, sustainability, active living, lifelong learning, and innovation & collaboration.  Lakewinds is currently in its due diligence phase of site review.  If all goes well closing on the purchase will occur in Spring 2013.

Lyndale Gardens is also seeking additional high quality tenants, such as a restaurant to overlook the lake, for the new development.

To follow the progress of the Lyndale Gardens redevelopment, please “like” the Lyndale Gardens Facebook page or visit LyndaleGardens.com.  For leasing inquiries, please email info@tcgmn.com.