Overnight Fire Ravages Iconic Haskell's Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka—See Dramatic Photos & Updates

An overnight blaze tore through Haskell’s Port of Excelsior, the beloved restaurant-and-liquor-store combo on Lake Minnetonka, leaving the historic downtown Excelsior landmark a near total loss early Wednesday morning. Fire officials say crews were dispatched around 1:30 a.m. to the corner of Water Street and Lake Street after police spotted flames spreading across multiple sides of the 19th-century building. A second alarm brought in departments from Hopkins, Shorewood, Chanhassen, Golden Valley and Minnetonka, yet it still took roughly 90 minutes to knock down the roof-line blaze that ultimately collapsed part of the façade. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Founded in 1934, Haskell’s grew into a 10-store Twin Cities wine-and-spirits chain, but its Excelsior outpost doubled as a waterfront bar famous for hearty burgers, daily food specials and one of the area’s most coveted summer patios. The venue’s dual identity—as both bottle shop and lake-view eatery—made it a magnet for boaters docking along Lake Minnetonka, tourists strolling Excelsior’s boutique-lined main street and locals hunting for rare vintages. Early damage assessments suggest the restaurant portion is unsalvageable, while the adjoining liquor store suffered heavy smoke exposure but little direct fire impact. Investigators from Hennepin County are now combing the scene to pinpoint ignition sources; preliminary reports rule out foul play, but owners have yet to release an official statement. Insurance adjusters are expected onsite later today, and neighboring businesses are already rallying on social media with offers of temporary jobs for displaced staff. Community impact and next steps • Summer tourism hit: With boating season kicking off, Excelsior loses a 300-seat gathering spot that routinely anchors Water Street foot traffic. • Wine club in limbo: Haskell’s popular wine-education dinners and monthly tasting flights are paused; members should watch the chain’s website for relocation updates. • Rebuild timeline: Contractors estimate debris removal alone could take weeks; if reconstruction mirrors 2022’s Wayzata section rebuild, patrons might not see doors reopen until 2027. What nearby diners can do now 1. Support staff: A GoFundMe campaign is launching this afternoon under “Haskell’s Excelsior Employee Relief”—share and donate to help servers and cooks bridge pay gaps. 2. Visit sister stores: Haskell’s locations in Minnetonka, St. Paul and Maple Grove remain open with expanded hours and curbside pickup to absorb customer demand. 3. Explore alternate patios: Coalition, Maynard’s and Excelsior Brewing all offer lakeside seating for visitors still planning a Mother’s Day weekend on Lake Minnetonka. SEO takeaway Search interest around “Haskells Excelsior fire,” “Excelsior restaurant fire today,” “Lake Minnetonka landmark burns,” and “Haskell’s Port rebuild plans” is expected to spike throughout the week. Bookmark this page for live updates as investigators release the official cause, fundraising totals climb and reconstruction efforts take shape.