Year In Review: The Business Of Woodbury
The city saw a slew of new restaurants open, but the biggest empty building in town remains vacant.
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Looking at the landscape of Woodbury business in 2011, it’s clear that new restaurants dominated the scene.
Those of you looking for a new place to grab a bite saw plenty of options pop up, and the closure of one restaurant, Aperitif, drew plenty of attention as well.
But the biggest vacant building in Woodbury remains vacant, despite some steam about a new development deal and the city’s efforts to get it occupied.
In January, Wellington Management announced plans to redevelop the State Farm building, which the insurance giant shuttered in 2004. Plans called for it to be converted for multi-tenant use, and the construction of a new Costco and 200-unit senior-housing development on the campus.
In addition, a second $50 million phase of the overall development plan envisioned a new 120-room hotel and three additional office buildings.
Woodbury also chipped in $50,000 for consultants to come up with a way for the 420,000-square-foot State Farm building to be redeveloped.
The deal fell through in April, however, leaving the building in much the same state it was at the year’s outset.
New Restaurants
Woodbury saw a spate of new restaurants open in 2011. Click on the name of the restaurant for the story.
- Asia Bistro
- Wild Bill’s
- Carmine’s
- McDonald’s (rebuild)
- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
- Panda Express (American Burger Emporium closes)
- Steepery Tea Bar
- Angelina’s Café
- Five Guys Burgers and Fries (Oakdale)
- Current (Afton)
Chamber Chatter
With a new executive director on board, the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce was busy in 2011.
The chamber got off to a strong start last January with its Paint the Town gala, and continued with its Community Expo.
More chamber news:
- Snapshot: Woodbury's Chamber Achievers
- Woodbury Chamber Of Commerce Has Its Own Youtube Channel
- Photos: Woodbury Chamber Golf Fundraiser
- Woodbury Chamber Hosts 25th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament (Blog post)
- Chamber Honors Woodbury Citizen, Business, Educators Of The Year
- Double Dip? Not in Woodbury! (Blog post)
- In Woodbury, Running A Country Mile
- Woodbury Country Mile Celebrates 30 Years With 1,000 Entrants
- Woodbury Mayor Gives State of the City Address
- Woodbury Community Expo Set for Saturday
Business Bites
While restaurant openings may have dominated the scene for some, the closure of Aperitif and T.G.I. Friday’s also marked big news in Woodbury.
Other Woodbury business news from 2011:
Plans for a new mixed-use development at the corner of Radio Drive and Bailey Road call for a new grocery store and fast-food restaurant, among other things.
The opening of a long-anticipated SuperTarget in Woodbury gave folks on the east side of town a new shopping option.
Angel2Diva opened in Woodbury.
A Department of Employment and Economic Development official gave a rundown of the city’s job market.
The mayor delved into the city’s business climate during her State of the City address.
Gordmans opened in Woodbury.
Patch profiled a local business owner who gave his thoughts on starting new companies during the so-called Great Recession.
Ace Hardware grows while the Tropical Ballroom moves. Bonus: Video on the dance studio’s three-year anniversary.
Owners of massage shops in Woodbury now have to secure a license with the city.
Patch brought you the story of a Woodbury man who invented a new product for outdoorsman, the Biffy Bag.
Maple Leaf Hair celebrated its 20th anniversary in Woodbury.
A new radio station could be coming to Woodbury.
Creative Kidstuff closed its Woodbury location.
A contract dispute between a grocers union and area stores hit Woodbury streets.
A Woodbury woman won $50,000 in a Roundy’s promotion at Rainbow Foods.
Borders closed its Woodbury location, among others across the country.
Two new stores focused on baby products opened in Woodbury.
A new funeral home is coming to Woodbury.
Atti2ude Custom Spirit Wear brought its line of items to the city.
Former Minnesota governor and then-presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty visited a Woodbury bookstore.
A cougar was spotted near Woodbury Lakes.
The county WorkForce Center helped laid off workers at Woodbury’s EcoWater Systems find new jobs.
Northern Tier Energy opened Woodbury offices.
Salon 755 opened in Woodbury.
Aveka, a local research and development company, helped a student in the Chicago area get a science experiment on the space shuttle.
A Woodbury High School grad started an online auction site for cars, trucks, boats, ATVs, RVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
Tinucci's closed its Woodbury location.
Woodbury Patch celebrated its one-year anniversary.
In This article
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Woodbury Chamber of Commerce
6949 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN -
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The Biffy Bag
3535 North View Ln, Woodbury, MN -
Maple Leaf Family Hair Care
8470 City Centre Dr, Woodbury, MN -
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Woodbury Lakes
9020 Hudson Rd, Woodbury, MN -
Washington County Service Center
2150 Radio Dr, Woodbury, MN -
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Woodbury High School
2665 Woodlane Dr, Woodbury, MN -
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