HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE
Al & Alma's History
From Us To You. History is very important to us at Al and Alma’s. Following in the tradition of the “hands-on” owners before us, we count it a privilege to serve you and your guests and take a personal stake in making your next event a great success. We realize that today’s savvy consumer has many options when looking for dining and entertainment. At Al and Alma’s, our commitment to a long history of excellence drives us to meet your every expectation. Whether your event is business or social, the team at Al and Alma’s will serve you with one goal in mind – your complete satisfaction.
- 1920s - 1956
Boats for Rent!
Chester Park Grocery store served as a community hub for local residents. Typical of its time, customers could fill up with gas, buy ice and groceries, eat lunch at the lunch counter, and even rent a fishing boat for a day on the lake.
- 1956 - 1973
Remodeled to Supper Club
Al and Alma Quist purchased the Chester Park Grocery store and remodeled it into a restaurant. Al and Alma’s Supper Club quickly rose to popularity among local residents and summer visitors. Many of the famous menu items that Al and Alma served are still enjoyed by customers today, including our famous porterhouse steak, liver and onions and our browned potatoes to name a few.
- 1973 - 1983
Launch of First Dinner Cruise Fleet
Under the supervision of its second owners, James “Bud” and Eileen Nolan, the Supper Club introduced its first charter boat. First as an attraction to the restaurant, the early charter boat built in Mora, Minnesota by Boatel entertained customers with a lake cruise prior to eating at the Supper Club. With raving popularity, the Al and Alma’s fleet was born along with the summertime dinner cruise
- 1983
Dynamic Growth
Daryl and Merritt Geyen owned Al & Alma’s from 1983 to 2019 and expanded the fleet to 7 yachts and modernized the legendary Supper Club. They hired lead boat captain, Jay Soule, in 1997 as general manager.
- 1988
Largest Express Yacht
Al and Alma’s Boat #10 (yes, we used to just number the boats!) is the largest express yacht on Lake Minnetonka – a 59-foot express yacht.
- 1994
First motor yacht Class Cruiser
Introduction of first motor yacht Class Cruiser to Al and Alma’s Fleet, the 100 passenger “Avant Garde”
- 1996
Introduction of "Aventure"
Al and Alma’s introduces the largest express yacht on Lake Minnetonka – the 64-foot “Aventure”
- 1997
Supper Club and Loft Renovation
Original Al and Alma’s Supper Club undergoes complete renovation and opens the “Loft” banquet room
- 2000
Introduction of "Avanti"
Al and Alma’s introduces the largest express yacht on Lake Minnetonka – the 70-foot “Avanti”
- 2006
Introduction of "Isabella"
Al and Alma’s introduces a new cruise-class 69-foot Signature Motor Yacht, “Isabella”, exclusively serving the Port of Wayzata.
- 2010
Largest Motor Yacht
Al and Alma’s commissions the production of the largest motor yacht in Lake Minnetonka history: the 83-foot Signature Motor Yacht, “Bella Vista”.
- 2017
Introduction of "Arabella"
Al and Alma’s introduces its second largest Signature Motor Yacht: 74-foot “Arabella”, exclusively serving the Port of Excelsior.
- 2019
New Owners
Jay and Jenna Soule purchase Al & Alma’s from the Geyens, honored to carry on the tradition of excellence on Lake Minnetonka and become the fourth generation of owner-operators.
