The revitalized downtown balances trendy city life with laid-back lake culture.

The polar bear figure has become White Bear Lake’s version of the garden gnome, so frequently is the local mascot stationed in its residents’ front yards. Many were likely purchased from the town’s beloved Medicine Chest Pharmacy & Gifts, also dubbed “The Polar Bear Store,” which carries a vast selection of the arctic animal, from a 600-pound statue to tiny key-chain accessories. Unlike its megastore counterpart, this 1930s era pharmacy feels far more personal, reflecting the town’s history through vintage postcards and high school sports memorabilia. And despite a recent influx of hip, independently owned shops, eateries, and events (including the interactive Art Shanty Projects held in February), White Bear Lake has…

Read the full story at Minnesota Monthly