Downtown Lake City

Striking sunrise over decorated downtown

Dec 20, 2023

Photographer Ben Threinen was out in search of a photo that said Christmas when he took this photo of the decorated and lit downtown Lake City streetscape beneath a sky filled with purples and pinks at sunrise on Dec. 19. Winter officially begins Thursday (today), and Christmas, Dec. 25, is on...

First downtown planter removed

Nov 15, 2023

Lake City Public Works Director Scott Jensen told the City Council at its Nov. 13 meeting that the city had removed a planter near the former Conoco station in the 300 block of South Lakeshore Drive. Businesses in the 100 and 200 blocks of South Lakeshore Drive came before the council at an...

Businesses to stay open later on second Thursday of each month

Nov 8, 2023

Inspired by other nearby communities having monthly evening shopping events with good customer participation, some Lake City businesses plan to do the same, according to a news release from business group Shops of Lake City. “By staying open until 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month we are...

City plans safety fix for downtown sidewalks

Oct 11, 2023

Changes are coming to the downtown sidewalks on South Lakeshore Drive. At the city council meeting on Oct. 9, City Public Works Director Scott Jensen asked for and received city council consensus to modify planters partially surrounded by raised curbs that business owners say have caused falls and...

Two legacies continue at Johnson Jewelers of Lake City

Feb 1, 2023

Longtime family-owned business Johnson Jewelers is expanding and adding a second location in Lake City, Minn., becoming the fifth jeweler to set up shop in the 145-year-old building on Center St. Karen Johnson-Leonard becomes the second female jewelry store owner to operate in this beautiful,...

Downtown assessment results presented at Chamber of Commerce

Dec 28, 2022

The Director of Community Programs at Rethos, Emily Kurash Casey, delivered a presentation to Lake City residents and key stakeholders at the Chamber of Commerce’s office on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Kurash Casey outlined the findings of the organization’s Main Street surveys conducted in the summer of...

Washington Street Trick-or-Treat returns

Oct 26, 2022

The popular Washington Street Trick-or-Treat event is back this year. Karen England of England Law Office, one of the organizers, said business people on and around the 100 block of S. Washington Street in Lake City are getting ready to dress up in costume and hand out treats. The event will take...

A plan to revitalize downtown Lake City

Oct 20, 2022

Hopefully many Lake Citians recently attended or viewed the candidate’s public forum with invited and participating candidates for the various public offices at city hall. The candidates offered a variety of viewpoints and responded to questions submitted by attending citizens. There was one...