Shop Local: Holiday Gift Guide
We have so many amazing small businesses in the Twin Cities and they’re one of my favorite things to share with you, for so many reasons.
There are so many that you can’t possibly know about them all! I’m constantly discovering new places, via social media and physically stumbling upon new places (not so much these days though). I hope you’ll discover some new favorites below.
Local businesses are usually run by a handful, if that, of people. Our support can be the difference between them thriving and having to close- especially in these times! Shopping local is also good for the community; for every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community.
They have amazing, unique things! From locally-made, one-of-a-kind items to sweaters ethically made in Spain these aren’t the run-of-the-mill gifts you’ll find at big box stores.
If the store has a website, the product images are directly linked to their product page on the website. Just click on the image that you like! If they don’t have a website, the images are linked to the shops Instagram. Please refer to each individual shops policy concerning COVID regulations and protocol.
Aesthetic Home
541 Selby Ave, St. Paul
@aesthetichomemn
I learned about Aesthetic Home because my aunt had some paintings for sale there. My mom and I went to their holiday open house last year- which, side note, feels like a decade ago- and I fell in love. The family-run shop is housed inside of a gorgeous Victorian mansion and the rooms are staged with fitting furniture and accessories. This would be the perfect place to find a gift for the host or hostess that has it all. They also have a mix of new and vintage goods!
Deau & Co.
I stumbled upon Deau & Co. on Instagram. Or maybe owner Britt followed me on Instagram and I saw her amazing goods and fell in love. However it happened, I’m so glad that it did. It takes a lot of self-control not to buy everything as it pops up on Instagram stories. If you like my home style, you’ll love Deau and Co. They have amazing vintage midcentury and boho pieces at approachable price points. As everything is one of a kind, I apologize in advance if the featured items below have sold. Don’t worry though, they’re constantly posting new goodies on Instagram. Be sure to follow!
the Foundry Home Goods
322 W 48th St. Minneapolis
A Minneapolis home goods staple- remember when it used to be in the North Loop (!?)- for a reason. The Foundry is the embodiment of Scandinavian design, cozy, and Hygge. Which is pretty much everything I want my home to be, especially now. Simple and beautiful objects fill the store and it’s really just a visual treat to even be in. They have great, functional items.
Foxwell
4400 France Avenue Edina
Thank you, Lizanne, for introducing me to this absolute gem! Owned by Heather and Brad Fox of HGTVs “Should I Stay or Go” this shop has become one of my new favorites since moving. They have so many great home accessories, from dried flowers to candles to cozy pillows as well as small gift items like jewelry from Minnesota-favorite Larissa Loden.
Golden Age Design
4157 W Broadway Ave. Robbinsdale
My parents had been on the hunt for a midcentury modern sideboard for years and finally found the perfect fit at Golden Age Design. Owners Bill and Kara Kurth curate amazing midcentury pieces on buying trips to Denmark and beyond and have an amazing eye. The shop also has a great selection of home accessories. I always stock up on my P.F. Candle Co. Teakwood and Tobacco candle when I make a trip up to Robbinsdale.
Golden Rule Gallery
350 Water Street Excelsior
Stepping into Golden Rule Gallery is like stepping into my personal retail wonderland. Beautiful exhibition posters line the walls alongside of paintings from local artists. There are endless pairs of dainty gold earrings- snag my favorite freshwater pearl earrings below. It’s also a gifting haven. Organic beauty goods? Check. Tantalizing candles? Check. Feminist prints? Check. Pretty much anything else you or your gift recipients could wish for? Check. Check. Check.
Les Sol
4353 S Upton Ave. Unit 104. Minneapolis.
Co-owned by badass sister duo, Mikaela and Megan Harrod, Les Sol is one of the best new additions to the Twin Cities boutique scene. Les Sol transports you to a vacation in Palm Springs- or whatever warm weather destination you want to imagine. You can’t help but smile at the bright colors, tropical plants, and happy vibes. Any place that can make you forget it’s the middle of January in Minnesota is a place that I want to be. They curate sustainable and ethical goods made by independent artists, designers, and small brands. They are also always getting new goods in, so watch their social for new drops! PS. They also carry my favorite activewear brand- Girlfriend Collective!
Maven Events
Launched out of a necessity to keep their event styling business afloat during COVID, Maven has one of the coolest collections of home goods in the Twin Cities. I was able to shop their sale a few weekends ago and got a mini bouquet of dried flowers (which they have more of on their website- linked below) and a classy glass vase to go along with them. They also have an expansive collection of brass in any form you could want- candle holders, animals- you name it.
Mille
4760 Grand Avenue S. Minneapolis
In the past few years, Mille has transitioned from carrying many amazing brands to developing and carrying only their amazing in-house label. The pieces are “comfortable yet covetable” and I could see myself living in them 24/7- especially the Catherine dress. *wink* hint, hint mom.
Mother
2400 N 2nd St. Minneapolis
Mother is another place that helps make me forget I’m in Minnesota in January. Terracota colored floors and walls and a great selection of succulents, cacti, and tropicals. I have my eye on one of their many ZZ plants. I’ve also gotten a lot of my plants from here and they are thriving. They also just opened their second location in St. Paul which is open by appointment only. Also, you can now buy plants online (for curbside pickup or local delivery) because 2020.
Parc
212 North 2nd Street #102 Minneapolis
The first independent boutique I started shopping at when I was in college. They had a location on Hennepin in North East. Parc carries beautifully crafted, elevated basics. They also have great hair accessories and beauty products. Most recently, they launched a dried flower boutique.
Queenie and Pearl
5014 Xerxes Ave. S Minneapolis
Owner, Lisa Banwell, is one of the kindest people in the local fashion scene! I did a photoshoot in her second floor studio and we basically had a party. It was great. The whole shop has a great 70s rock and roll vibe and the second floor is all vintage with an amazing selection of fur coats to complete that ‘Almost Famous’ look. They also have so many great accessories like headbands, barrettes, and great jewelry. If you want a Lizzo prayer candle they have those too. They currently have a limited online shop but you can reserve merchandise via IG.
Stranger and Co.
3921 Market Street Edina
Stranger and Co. just opened in November and I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite places! I stocked up on cute, cozy socks from Le Bonne Shop and snagged a gorgeous wheel-thrown vase. If you’re shopping for a puzzle lover they stock the most glamorous, beautiful puzzles I have ever seen. I’m not a puzzle person and I’m tempted to get one just because of how ridiculously good looking they are. If you’ve seen those cool twist candles on social, this is wear you can grab some for yourself or your trendy friend! They also have a great selection of candles, jewelry, accessories, and CBD products- check out the CBD joint below. The shop is founded on an ethos of inclusion, accessibility, and visibility- what's not to love!? That was a rhetorical question but the answer is nothing, Stranger and Co. is great.
Victory Vintage
3505 W. 44th Street Minneapolis
I had walked by Victory Vintage so many times going to Penny’s in Linden Hills but they have limited hours and always happened to be closed when I went by. Finally, I had the chance to stop in and WOW- worth the wait! My Hollywood regency aesthetic was SCREAMING. A great mix of vintage furniture, coffee table books, natural knick knacks, and other home accessories. The store is truly a visual feast.
Wylde Dye
Shoutout again, Lizanne! My friend, Lizanne of Lizanne Lately, launched Wylde Dye amongst the craziness of COVID. She hand-dyes vintage flannel and knit hats it creates the coolest affect. I’ve never wore flannel before this and I think she converted me- for my cozy fall/winter looks, anyway. Spot me looking the most Minnesotan I may ever look in my life below.
If you have any other local favorites, feel free to give them a shoutout in the comments! I’m always looking for new places to check out- especially if they have an online store!