EXCELSIOR, Minnesota, May 6, 2026, 07:03 CDT
- Around 1:30 a.m., fire erupted at Haskell’s Port of Excelsior—a combination restaurant and liquor store on Lake Minnetonka.
- No injuries were reported, and officials said the cause is still under investigation.
- Firefighters managed to stop the blaze at the liquor store line, though the restaurant section took heavy damage.
Early Wednesday, flames ripped through Haskell’s Port of Excelsior—a Lake Minnetonka fixture known for its bar, restaurant, and liquor store—leaving serious damage behind. Fire crews battled the blaze for an hour and a half at this longstanding west metro summer favorite.
It’s a tough moment for downtown Excelsior. Haskell’s, right at the junction of Water and Lake Street—a busy spot close to the lake—was widely seen as a go-to place for locals during warmer months, especially as Minnesota approaches its summer boating and patio stretch, according to local reports.
Nate Basinger, serving as Excelsior’s interim fire chief, told CBS Minnesota they got the call at about 1:30 a.m. By the time police showed up, there was “quite a bit of fire.” Nobody was reported hurt. CBS News
Basinger said it took about 90 minutes for crews from five different departments to get the blaze under control. According to FOX 9, a second alarm was called when crews saw flames on several sides of the building, bringing in extra firefighters and gear.
FOX 9, quoting Basinger, said the worst destruction hit the restaurant area and the roof. That roof came down close to the building’s entrance, dropping charred wreckage below. Fire crews managed to stop the blaze from spreading into the liquor store.
Basinger called the damage to CBS Minnesota “fairly extensive.” Haskell’s, he said, was “an institution” in Excelsior, and the impact of the fire will be felt throughout the community. CBS News
Fire crews remained on site Wednesday morning, checking the extent of the damage, KSTP reported. According to the station, the building includes a bar, restaurant, and liquor store. Officials told KSTP no injuries were reported.
Haskell’s Wine & Spirits isn’t just about the lakeshore. A company history post traces its roots back to 1934, when it opened downtown Minneapolis right after Prohibition. The Excelsior shop came much later, in 1977. These days, the company counts 10 corporate locations, three franchises, and runs a pair of delis, according to the company.
The fire hits hard in the neighborhood and puts pressure on a regional retailer. Haskell’s Excelsior outpost isn’t just a liquor store—it’s also a hospitality spot. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Haskell’s Port of Excelsior is one of ten locations Haskell’s runs in the Twin Cities metro, and it’s recognized for its daily food specials.
The reason behind the blaze remains unknown. Authorities haven’t disclosed what sparked the fire, and according to FOX 9, the owner was at the scene alongside Hennepin County fire investigators. There’s no word yet on how much damage was done, when the business might reopen, or what’s happening with the liquor-store section.
