What new 24-hour convenience store opened in Baxter on October 30th, 2025?

Custom Sheds CTR crafts sheds that uniquely combine practicality and style, tailored for every customer.

Using weather-resistant siding, treated runners, insulated walls, and durable metal roofing, each shed is built to stand up to Minnesota seasons and designed to last.

Every shed is fully customizable, from layout and finishes to doors and windows, so you get just the right size and look—whether you’re dreaming of a backyard office, workshop, guest bunkhouse, or personal retreat.

Dedicated to the Brainerd Lakes community, this locally owned business guides customers from idea through design, all the way to delivery and placement with honesty and personalized care.

Your shed isn’t just another structure—it’s an extension of your lifestyle.

For custom solutions or more details, contact Custom Sheds CTR in Brainerd today.

Deb Sommers starts each morning early in her Pequot Lakes home, enjoying coffee and quiet time before tending to her cherished wildflower garden.

By mid-morning, she’s welcoming customers at Seeds of Sommer, a health food store she founded in 2010 that has become a local wellness hub.

Deb’s move from city life to Pequot Lakes in 1991 reflects her desire to find meaning and connection in a small-town community.

Her passion for gardening not only brings her peace but also deepens her ties with neighbors, embodying the caring spirit at the heart of her shop.

At Seeds of Sommer, Deb and her team offer guidance, organic foods, and supportive advice, prioritizing education and personal well-being.

Her dedication shines through every act—planting seeds of health and kindness throughout central Minnesota.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday 4th
55 °F 🌡️ 35 °F | ⛅ Periods of clouds and sun | 💨 WNW 10 mph
A mild day with some sun breaking through clouds.

Wednesday 5th
49 °F 🌡️ 33 °F | ☀️ Plenty of sunshine | 💨 NW 12 mph
Bright and crisp; cooler than Tuesday.

Thursday 6th
47 °F 🌡️ 39 °F | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy 💨 NW 8 mph
Clouds dominate, mild but a bit dreary.

Friday 7th
41 °F 🌡️ 28 °F | ☁️ Overcast 💨 W 9 mph
Chilly day; watch for low clouds and cooler evening drop.

Saturday 8th
36 °F 🌡️ 23 °F | ❄️ Morning snow → 🌧️ Afternoon mix/rain 💨 WSW 11 mph
Winter’s first touch: expect morning snow, changing to rain in afternoon as temps hover near freezing.

Sunday 9th
37 °F 🌡️ 23 °F | ⛅ Partly sunny 💨 W 8 mph
Cold but calmer; some sun returns.

Monday 10th
39 °F 🌡️ 25 °F | ☀️ Mostly sunny 💨 NW 7 mph
Quiet and chilly start to the week, sunshine with late-season feel.

Discover the mysteries and legends that make the Minnesota Northwoods an unforgettable place. “Shadows of the Northwoods” reveals spine-tingling ghost stories, ancient folklore, and the rich history woven through local landscapes and communities. Every page brings the pine-shaded trails, haunted sites, and timeless campfire tales of Brainerd and beyond to vibrant life.

This collection is packed with chilling encounters, heartfelt memories, and deep-rooted traditions from Ojibwe stories to modern myths. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a curious visitor, you’ll find stories that connect, inspire, and thrill in every chapter.

Now exclusively on sale—regularly $20, yours for just $12.97!

Don’t miss your chance to bring home the definitive guide to local lore—order “Shadows of the Northwoods” today and let the adventure begin.

The long-awaited opening of the new Kwik Trip store in Baxter finally took place on October 30, 2025, at 5 a.m.

The store, located at the intersection of Novotny Road and Edgewood Drive, is a multi-million dollar development that has been highly anticipated since its announcement in 2024.

The opening of this store marks a significant milestone for the company, bringing its total store count to 907. Prior to the official opening, selected guests were welcomed to the store on October 29, giving them a sneak peek before the doors were open to the public.

The location of the store, just off Highway 371, is strategic, catering to the high traffic in the Baxter, Brainerd, Nisswa area, and serving the people of the surrounding lakes region. The project manager, Brent Dusek, expressed his excitement about bringing Kwik Trip to the community, emphasizing the value it would bring to the residents and the goodwill that the company aims to provide.

The company’s expansion plans include opening more stores in the Midwest, with 12 more scheduled to open in November and December. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for November 11, accompanied by an open house to celebrate the store's grand opening.

As the community continues to evolve and expand, the addition of the Kwik Trip store represents a milestone in providing convenient services to residents and visitors alike.

The opening of Store No. 1747 in Baxter not only signifies the company's commitment to growth but also its dedication to serving the needs of the community.

LAKES AREA KIDS BUZZ

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, Nov 4

5:00 PM — The North Star Meat Raffle! — The North Star, Pequot Lakes. 

6:00 PM — Cocktails for a Cause (live music + $5/ cocktail to the skatepark) — Five Rocks Distillery, Brainerd. 

6:00 PM — Free Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament — Pillager Lions Club, Pillager. 

6:00 PM — Confident Kids: “Thankful for Crafts” — Confidence Learning Center, East Gull Lake. 

6:00 PM — Free Poker Network — Brainerd Eagles Aerie 287, Brainerd. 

Wednesday, Nov 5

6:00 PM — Xtreme Music Bingo: 2000’s Party Mix — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa. 

6:00 PM — Meat Raffle — Lucky’s Tavern, Pequot Lakes. 

6:00 PM — Bingo Night — Brainerd Eagles Aerie 287, Brainerd. 

5:00 PM — Kitchen Opens + Pre-Bingo Specials — Brainerd Eagles Aerie 287, Brainerd. 

3:00 PM — Taproom Hours + Mid-week Vibes (open 3–9) — Cuyuna Brewing Co., Crosby (pair with board games/trivia crowd). 

Thursday, Nov 6

3:00 PM — Cookie Decorating Workshop — Knotty Pine Bakery, Brainerd. 

5:30 PM — Meat Raffle — b*merri Gastropub, Brainerd. 

6:00 PM — Meat Raffle — Lucky’s Tavern, Pequot Lakes. 

6:30 PM — Trivia: “Ted Lasso” — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa. 

6:00 PM — Jingo Night (free bingo) — Jack Pine Brewery, Baxter. 

Friday, Nov 7

7:00 PM — ★ Ten November: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald — Stage North @ Franklin Arts Center, Brainerd. 

6:30 PM — ★ Grassroots Concerts: Kelly Hunt — Live Well Nightclub & Coffee Bar (Journey Church campus), Nisswa.

5:00 PM — Rib Night — b*merri Gastropub, Brainerd. 

6:00 PM — (Optional) Meat Raffle / Turkey Bingo wave — Brainerd Eagles Aerie 287, Brainerd. 

Saturday, Nov 8

10:00 AM — ★ 13th Annual Hunting Block Party — Downtown Pequot Lakes. 

10:00 AM — Northern MN Railroad Trackers Train Club (model trains) — NMRHA, Crosslake. 

6:00 PM — Hayden Streeter (Live Music) — Roundhouse Brewery, Nisswa. 

6:00 PM — Preston Gunderson (Live Music) — Quarterdeck Resort, Lake Shore. 

7:00 PM — ★ Ten November — Stage North @ Franklin Arts Center, Brainerd. 

Sunday, Nov 9

9:00 AM — Breakfast at Sunshine’s — Sunshine’s Summerhouse, Nisswa. 

8:30 AM — Breakfast at the Eagles (Veterans eat free) — Brainerd Eagles Aerie 287, Brainerd. 

11:00 AM — Halloween-Style Drag Brunch — The Local 218, Brainerd. 

3:00 PM — Meat Raffle — Snarky Loon Brewing Co., Jenkins. 

7:00 PM — Ten November (evening performance) — Stage North @ Franklin Arts Center, Brainerd. 

Monday, Nov 10

5:00 PM — November Nature Book Club — Northland Arboretum, Brainerd. 

6:00 PM — Monday Night Trivia — b*merri Gastropub, Brainerd.

4:00 PM — Margarita Mondays ($6) — Sunshine’s Summerhouse, Nisswa (4pm–close). 

6:00 PM — Free Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament — (weekly) Brainerd Lakes circuit — Yesterday’s Gone, Brainerd

7:00 PM — ★ Ten November (Edmund Fitzgerald anniversary night) — Stage North @ Franklin Arts Center, Brainerd. 

Kwik Trip is located at 7181 Novotny Road North, Baxter

Thanks a bunch for reading Lakes Area Buzz today! If you spotted something handy, go ahead and pass it along to a neighbor or a friend—ya never know, it might make their day too.