New & Exciting Things Happening in the East Twin Cities Metro

By Stephanie Checkley | Stephanie Checkley Real Estate | Keller Williams Premier Realty

Serving Lake Elmo, Stillwater & Woodbury for 13+ Years | stephaniecheckleyrealestate.com

One of the things I love most about working and living in the east Twin Cities metro is that this area never stops growing, and I don't just mean in terms of home values and new subdivisions. I mean it's growing in the ways that actually make a place feel like home: new restaurants, gathering spaces, and community-driven businesses that reflect the character of the people who live here.

Over the past year, I've been watching some genuinely exciting developments take shape across Lake Elmo, Woodbury, and the surrounding area. If you haven't heard about these yet, you're going to want to. Whether you're already a resident or you're considering a move to the east metro, these are the kinds of additions that make a great community even better.

The Valley Community Center in Lake Elmo: A Long-Awaited Gathering Place

If you've lived in Lake Elmo for any length of time, you know that this community has always had tremendous heart and a deep desire for more shared spaces where neighbors can actually come together. That's what makes the Valley Community Center such a meaningful and exciting development.

Community centers are more than buildings. They're where youth sports happen, where seniors gather, where classes are taught, events are hosted, and neighbors who might never otherwise cross paths end up becoming friends. For a community like Lake Elmo, which has grown significantly while working hard to preserve its rural character, a dedicated community center fills a real and important gap.

And this one is shaping up to be something truly special. The proposed 50,000-square-foot facility is designed to be a welcoming space focused on social connection, wellness, and recreation, serving not just Lake Elmo residents, but the broader St. Croix Valley and beyond. This isn't a top-down initiative; it's a grassroots effort built through years of community engagement, stakeholder meetings, and resident feedback from across the region.

The project recently hit a major milestone: at the March 17 Lake Elmo City Council meeting, Valley Community Center representative David Frank presented preliminary plans and requested a letter of support from the City, which the City expressed. Councilmember Kragness said it best:

"I think this could be a crown jewel in our cap, so to speak, of really something great for the future of the city."

As for the location, after evaluating several sites including Stillwater and Bayport, the Valley Community Center Partners selected Lake Elmo, specifically the current Lake Elmo Elementary site, which was acquired through a $4.25 million agreement with Stillwater Area Public Schools. The purchase includes the building and approximately 13 acres of land, offering plenty of room to create a true multi-use community hub in the heart of Lake Elmo's Village. The sale is expected to close in December 2026.

What the Valley Community Center will bring to Lake Elmo:

• A hub for events, classes, wellness, and recreation

• Programming for all ages — from youth activities to senior resources

• A regional destination that draws visitors from across the metro

• A reflection of how much this community has invested in itself

For my clients considering Lake Elmo, especially families evaluating the area for the long term, developments like this matter enormously. They signal something important: this is a community that takes care of its people, not just its properties.

The East Metro Food Scene Is Having a Moment

Let me be honest with you: I take food seriously and I have strong opinions about where to eat. So when I start seeing this many exciting restaurant concepts pop up across the east metro in such a short window of time, I pay attention — and I think you should too.

E's Gourmet Sandwiches kicked things off by giving us exactly what we didn't know we were missing: a locally-owned, chef-driven sandwich shop that treats the humble sandwich with the respect it deserves. We're not talking chain-style subs. We're talking thoughtfully crafted, gourmet-level combinations with high-quality ingredients, house-made spreads, and the kind of attention to detail that makes you stop mid-bite and think, okay, this is it. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Creative, rotating menus alongside beloved staples. A community-first approach where your dollars stay right here in the east metro. It's the kind of place you'll want to bring clients, friends, and family alike. Should be opening soon!

Tap & Ladder will be a family-friendly taphouse coming to a former Lake Elmo fire station — is exactly as cool as it sounds. The concept is the brainchild of Brian Heidt and Amanda Urban, who have partnered with more than a dozen local businesses to bring their vision to life. Guests can expect a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with a self-pour tap wall offering craft beers, sodas, ready-to-drink cocktails, and mocktails — something for everyone. The food menu leans into approachable favorites: burgers, brats, wings, and a Friday fish fry. But the feature that really sets Tap & Ladder apart? A dedicated kids' zone complete with arcades, a rock-climbing wall, books, toys, and firefighter and first-responder themed costumes for dress-up. It's a place where families can genuinely enjoy a meal together. True to its building's history, Tap & Ladder will also honor Lake Elmo's first responders and local veterans through in-house displays, and plans to partner with The Patriotic Kenny Foundation through charitable gaming events like on-site bingo. Community through and through.

Right nearby, Machete Cocina Mexicana — already a fan favorite at its Woodbury location on Bielenberg Drive — is opening a second location in Lake Elmo, steps from Lions Park. Expect the same authentic flavors and bold creativity that made the original a hit: craft cocktails and margaritas, handmade tortillas, authentic street tacos, and the legendary 21-inch Quesadillota — a filled corn quesadilla that needs to be seen (and eaten) to be believed. The new location will also feature a picturesque patio overlooking Lions Park, making it a natural gathering spot for the community.

What's especially meaningful about the Lake Elmo additions is that they aren't accidental. Both concepts were unanimously approved by the city council and directly reflect what residents asked for in a 2024 Village Area Study — a restaurant, a retail space, a place to meet. As Lake Elmo Community Development Director Jason Stopa noted, the community spoke, and this is the answer.

Tap & Ladder and Machete are expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027.

For the buyers and clients I work with who are relocating to the area, local food culture is genuinely part of the conversation. People want to know: is there good food nearby? The answer for the east metro is increasingly, enthusiastically, yes!

What Does All This Mean for the East Metro Real Estate Market?

I get this question all the time: Does local amenity growth actually affect home values?

The short answer is yes — absolutely. Here's why it matters:

When a community builds out its quality-of-life infrastructure — local restaurants, community centers, specialty grocery, recreational spaces — it becomes more desirable to a broader pool of buyers. That means more competition for available homes, stronger offers, and sellers who have more leverage when it comes time to list.

This is exactly why I watch these developments so closely. When I'm advising a seller in Lake Elmo, Woodbury, or Stillwater on how to position their home, the community amenities around it are part of the story. Buyers aren't just buying a house. They're buying into a lifestyle, a neighborhood, a community — and the east metro is giving them more and more great reasons to choose this area over anywhere else.

Ready to Talk About What's Happening in Your Neighborhood?

Whether you're curious about the market, thinking about selling, or just want to talk about the east metro — I'm always happy to connect.

Stephanie Checkley | Keller Williams Premier Realty Serving Lake Elmo, Stillwater & Woodbury, MN | 13+ Years of Local Expertise Phone: 651-308-8450 Website: stephaniecheckleyrealestate.com

About This Post: This article was written by Stephanie Checkley, a licensed Minnesota real estate agent with Keller Williams Premier Realty, based on 13+ years of experience in the Lake Elmo, Stillwater, and Woodbury communities. For personalized real estate advice, contact Stephanie directly.

Stephanie Checkley | Stephanie Checkley Real Estate | Keller Williams Premier Realty | Licensed in Minnesota | Serving Washington County and the Greater East Metro Twin Cities Area