This article first appeared in the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce‘s Talk of the Town in Wayzata Life.

What’s Your Wayzata Way?

For Eddie and Beth Ulrich, it means being residents of the greater Wayzata area and business owners of Fuzzy Duck in town. They have experienced the Wayzata Way in both their personal and professional lives.

“Being in the marketing and branding business, I think we immediately identify Wayzata Way as a marketing slogan that tries to differentiate a community as unique. But being long-time residents of the greater Wayzata area, members of the Chamber and owners of a business located in downtown Wayzata, we know that it is much more than that. ‘Wayzata Way’ is more than just words, it encapsulates what we have found to be a consistent model of behavior from the residents and business owners of Wayzata,” said Eddie.

Both Eddie and Beth grew up in a small town, and have found those experiences are paralleled in their daily life in Wayzata.

“I grew up on a farm near a small town in Southern Minnesota and Beth’s father owned a business in a small town, so words like “community” have a special meaning to us. Growing up, we had the unique privilege of experiencing the small town mentality of people helping people – without the expectation of getting something in return. Since leaving our childhood homes, we’ve come to appreciate how rare true “communities” are. I think that’s why it was easy for us to recognize that mentality in the residents and businesses of Wayzata,” said Eddie.

Fuzzy Duck is run out of a 102-year-old house located on Manitoba Avenue, about a block from Lake Street and the historic train depot. Eddie and Beth say their favorite part about Wayzata is the daily interactions they have from the front porch of the house.

“We, along with our family, friends and employees, have enjoyed the large porch on the front of the house and from there we have engaged in, and witnessed firsthand the friendly interactions of our surrounding neighbors and businesses. Whether we’re discussing the beautiful fall weather with the neighbor, getting shipping advice from the delivery person, or heading to meet a client at one of the many surrounding restaurants, these are the everyday stories and experiences that make Wayzata significant to us,” said Eddie.

View the full article as a PDF here.