Our Mission
The Mackenthun’s Experience is a celebration that strives to enrich and support our local communities, delivering a consistent experience across all channels while empowering and engaging employees.
Together We:
- Build Relationships
- Provide Fair and Honest Treatment
- Create Memorable Moments
- Encourage Health and Wellness with Indulgence
From the Mackenthun's Family
Welcome to Mackenthun’s Fine Foods! We are blessed to be part of the vibrant communities we serve in and around Lonsdale, Minnetrista (opening 2024), and Waconia, Minnesota. Our roots run deep in the grocery business, but more important, is our passion to provide the highest quality products and services to enhance your shopping experience. It all begins with our Mackenthun’s Team, they are an extension of our family! We are here to partner with our vendors, communities, customers, local businesses & organizations. We wish you good health and wellness… with indulgence while creating memorable moments!
Thank you for shopping with us!
From the Mackenthun's Family
Welcome to Mackenthun’s Fine Foods! We are blessed to be part of the vibrant communities we serve in and around Lonsdale, Minnetrista (opening 2024), Montgomery and Waconia, Minnesota. Our roots run deep in the grocery business, but more important, is our passion to provide the highest quality products and services to enhance your shopping experience. It all begins with our Mackenthun’s Team, they are an extension of our family! We are here to partner with our vendors, communities, customers, local businesses & organizations. We wish you good health and wellness… with indulgence while creating memorable moments!
Thank you for shopping with us!
Our Beginnings
as the oldest, longest-running
grocer company in Minnesota
(researched by the Minnesota Grocers Association)
The man behind the counter is August Mackethun, current co-owner Kim Mackenthun’s great-grandfather. The man on the right is Arthur Mackenthun, Kim’s grandfather.
Late 1800's/Early 1900's
in homemade sausages.
Image above is from the original Waconia store in 1916. Behind the counter is, from left to right, Arthur Mackenthun, J. H. Dickhudt and Harvey Mackethun. The original store is said to have been bought from Dickhudt.
Around 1917
August’s son, Arthur, opened his own meat market in Waconia, using recipes passed down from his father. Mackenthun’s Meat Market soon built a reputation for the finest quality meats and delicious homemade sausages.
1940's
A sausage maker by the name of Reinholdt Shultz was relocated from Germany, bringing delicious new sausage recipes from his home country. These are many of the same recipes that are still used today in our signature meats and homemade sausages.
When Arthur’s son, Marvin “Mack”, returned home from World War II, he added a full line of groceries. What was once known as “City Meats” became
“City Meats & Groceries.”
1980
A new 18,000 square foot building was built on First Street West in Waconia to accommodate the growing business and expand their selection of products. It included a larger deli, as well as a service counter where customers could rent a VCR and over 600 VCR movies.
Click on the image above to view the whole paper at our Vintage Archive!
1993
The First Street West location was increased to 33,000 square feet. The store featured the largest selection of fresh meat, frozen, and dairy products in the area, a full service fresh seafood counter, a Floral department and an on-site water purification system. The butcher shop had a full-service meat case featuring select, hand-trimmed cuts.
2003
A new store was built on Marketplace Drive, the current Waconia store location. Convenience was the top priority in the planning of this new store. Mackenthun’s bought Beck Pharmacy, allowing for Mackenthun’s to be a convenient stop for customers to get all day-to-day necessities in one place. The next few years were dedicated to improving the shopping experience, while also sticking to the values of what once was a small-town butcher shop.
2008
Mackenthun’s decided to form their own brand identity. This was their opportunity to better tailor their products and services to the community. Mackenthun’s Fine Foods began widely advertising their own homemade sausages, fresh baked breads and buns, homemade deli items and Mackenthun’s Pharmacy.
2016
Mackenthun’s acquired a local grocery store chain in Lonsdale, MN. Renowned for its exceptional offerings, Lonsdale boasts the finest quality meats, fresh produce, delectable baked goods, and an assortment of deli items. Additionally, the store includes a self-service gas station for added customer convenience.
2019
Waconia remodeled their store, adding more features to this grocery hub. A larger deli was built, allowing for a larger offering of fresh salads, soups and hot bar items—all made daily. Caribou Coffee offers a full selection of their handcrafted signature drinks, as well as breakfast sandwiches. The grocery and produce departments offer a larger selection of fresh organic products.
2023
Kim and Laurie Mackenthun (4th generation), along with Jaime Mackenthun and Jessa Theis (5th generation), operate a full-service supermarket with all the convenience of the big city. Inside the doors, you’ll still find the old-fashion pride of a small-town butcher shop. Their award-winning meat department and homemade sausage have won national acclaim. They are dedicated to making every batch of delicious homemade sausage the same as it was in the early 1900’s.
TODAY
Today on our history timeline: In Minnetrista, MN, our latest addition boasts The Cove Wine & Spirits, a convenient liquor store, Caribou Coffee featuring a convenient drive-thru, a cozy mezzanine seating area, and seamless online shopping with a dedicated pickup section. Additionally, visitors can indulge in Mackenthu’s bakery delights, explore our deli offerings, savor our award-winning meat department, and experience our renowned sausage kitchen, among other attractions!
The man behind the counter is August Mackethun, current co-owner Kim Mackenthun’s great-grandfather. The man on the right is Arthur Mackenthun, Kim’s grandfather.
Late 1800's/Early 1900's
in homemade sausages.
Image above is from the original Waconia store in 1916. Behind the counter is, from left to right, Arthur Mackenthun, J. H. Dickhudt and Harvey Mackethun. The original store is said to have been bought from Dickhudt.
Around 1917
August’s son, Arthur, opened his own meat market in Waconia, using recipes passed down from his father. Mackenthun’s Meat Market soon built a reputation for the finest quality meats and delicious homemade sausages.
1940's
A sausage maker by the name of Reinholdt Shultz was relocated from Germany, bringing delicious new sausage recipes from his home country. These are many of the same recipes that are still used today in our signature meats and homemade sausages.
When Arthur’s son, Marvin “Mack”, returned home from World War II, he added a full line of groceries. What was once known as “City Meats” became
“City Meats & Groceries.”
1980
A new 18,000 square foot building was built on First Street West in Waconia to accommodate the growing business and expand their selection of products. It included a larger deli, as well as a service counter where customers could rent a VCR and over 600 VCR movies.
Click on the image above to view the whole paper at our Vintage Archive!
1993
The First Street West location was increased to 33,000 square feet. The store featured the largest selection of fresh meat, frozen, and dairy products in the area, a full service fresh seafood counter, a Floral department and an on-site water purification system. The butcher shop had a full-service meat case featuring select, hand-trimmed cuts.
2003
A new store was built on Marketplace Drive, the current Waconia store location. Convenience was the top priority in the planning of this new store. Mackenthun’s bought Beck Pharmacy, allowing for Mackenthun’s to be a convenient stop for customers to get all day-to-day necessities in one place. The next few years were dedicated to improving the shopping experience, while also sticking to the values of what once was a small-town butcher shop.
2008
Mackenthun’s decided to form their own brand identity. This was their opportunity to better tailor their products and services to the community. Mackenthun’s Fine Foods began widely advertising their own homemade sausages, fresh baked breads and buns, homemade deli items and Mackenthun’s Pharmacy.
2016
Mackenthun’s acquired a local grocery store chain in Lonsdale, MN. Renowned for its exceptional offerings, Lonsdale boasts the finest quality meats, fresh produce, delectable baked goods, and an assortment of deli items. Additionally, the store includes a self-service gas station for added customer convenience.
2019
Waconia remodeled their store, adding more features to this grocery hub. A larger deli was built, allowing for a larger offering of fresh salads, soups and hot bar items—all made daily. Caribou Coffee offers a full selection of their handcrafted signature drinks, as well as breakfast sandwiches. The grocery and produce departments offer a larger selection of fresh organic products.
Today
Kim and Laurie Mackenthun (4th generation), along with Jaime Mackenthun and Jessa Theis (5th generation), operate a full-service supermarket with all the convenience of the big city. Inside the doors, you’ll still find the old-fashion pride of a small-town butcher shop. Their award-winning meat department and homemade sausage have won national acclaim. They are dedicated to making every batch of delicious homemade sausage the same as it was in the early 1900’s.
Coming Soon
Our Minnetrista location will include a liquor store, drive through Caribou Coffee, mezzanine seating area, drive-up online shopping, bakery, deli, award-winning meat department, sausage kitchen and more!
