Caribou Coffee to open in former Taco Johns spot

Two big announcements were made during the Waseca city council meeting, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. 

 

Caribou Coffee will be moving into the location previously occupied by Taco Johns at 1401 N. State St. in Waseca.

 

Taco Johns operated in Waseca from roughly 1989 (when the building was constructed) until their closure in November 2024. No timeline on Caribou’s opening has been offered, officially. 

 

The other revelation from the meeting was the city’s announcement they had lowered their preliminary 2026 budget by three percent.

 

In September the city presented a budget/levy with a proposed 6.3% increase from 2025. The budget/levy presented Tuesday came in at 3.2%, about a $6 million budget for 2026. 

 

Two issues were discussed Tuesday concerning the budget

1. Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center (WANSC) request for $10,000

2. Mosquito spraying 

 

After a lot of discussion about how much money to give the WANSC and whether the council should do additional sprays, the council yielded to a passionate appeal from Councilman Mark Christiansen. 

 

“We’re dickering over $5,000 here,” Christiansen stated after every council member had spoken. “We cut it (the levy increase). I thought we’d be at 6.4% and fighting over it. I’m happy to give them the extra… I’m ecstatic. I laid in bed for two nights thinking about this.”

“You’re pretty persuasive,” Waseca Mayor Randy Zimmerman responded. “I’ll change my mind.” 

 

All council members were in agreement of giving funds to the WANSC, but the amount to give was in question. Prior to last year, the city had given the WANSC $2,850 each year from 2016-2024. Last year they gave $5,000. 

 

The council agreed and approved $7,500 as a one-time donation to the WANSC. 

 

After a lot of discussion of mosquito spraying, the council approved an additional spray in September, the week of the Waseca Marching Classic. Each additional spray ads about .04% to the budget, a cost of $2,400. If the council were to wait until summer or fall to add additional sprays, the cost would be higher due to the higher, last minute demand. The current spraying scheduled for 2026 includes 15 sprays and begins the first week in June and now runs through the third week in Sept, the week of the Waseca Marching Classic event.

 

One member of the public spoke during the public hearing portion of the annual Truth in Taxation Public Hearing. 

 

Shannon Wicklund, of Waseca, said she is not alone in feeling the burden and stress of higher taxes in Waseca. She compared property taxes she faces with those of surrounding cities.

 

Wicklund was met with sympathy and compassion from city council members who said the tax burden is great on residents due to the lack of larger businesses in town. 

 

“It is what it is and it is unfortunate,” Mayor Zimmerman said. “I feel like we’re moving towards growth… Shannon we really appreciate you being here. We know you’re not alone. We’re all in the same boat.” 

 

The final 2026 budget/levy will be approved during the final meeting of the year on December 16, 2025. 

 

The meeting closed after a few brief announcements including congratulation sent to Councilman Gary Conrath and his wife who celebrated 50 years of marriage on Sunday, December 7, 2025. 

 

Mayor Zimmerman also invited the Waseca Football Team to their next meeting to congratulate them on an excellent season. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.