While Wit & Delight reaches an audience around the world, we are local to the Twin Cities, and our team members work, live, play, and shop within its bounds. Over the years, I’ve grown to love quite a long list of stores in the area, owned by some of the hardest working folks around.

Today I’m sharing twenty-three of my favorite local shops. They carry some of the most thoughtfully curated pieces around, from clothing to home decor to furnishings to vintage treasures and everything in between. And for those of you who aren’t local to Minnesota? Fear not! Most of these shops sell items online and have Instagram pages where you can follow along with them from afar.

We hope you’ll rely on this list for some of your holiday shopping and for purchasing goods in all four seasons. As convenient as same-day delivery can be, it’s the small businesses and local storefronts that keep our communities thriving, and we want to support them all year round.

Arden Trading Co.

Textiles, home goods, women’s jewelry, accessories, and gifts for her

Website: Arden Trading Co.
Instagram: @ardentradingco
Why We Love Them: Their mission is to “support, recognize, and bring together global artisans.” What’s not to love? Every item sold is ethically sourced and comes with a story of the hardworking, talented person who made it. I have my eye on a few items I’d love to take home with me!

Tip: Most of their rugs are on major sale right now!

Arlee Park

Secondhand and vintage home decor, furniture, clothing, and accessories

Neighborhood & Address: Keewaydin | 3000 East 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Website: Arlee Park
Instagram: @arlee_park
Why We Love Them: Arlee Park is a shop carrying a carefully curated selection of nostalgic and modern pieces. Their wide range of lovely products are all secondhand (and many are vintage!). Consider stopping by the shop to purchase their handmade brass dish that can be used for incense, jewelry, or as a general catchall. If you’re in the market for a vintage winter coat, keep in mind that Arlee Park donates 10% of their winter coat sales to Pilgrim Dry Cleaners Coats for Kids drive.

Tip: Local folks can find Arlee Park at this Saturday’s (Dec. 14) Tattersall Holiday Market from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Askov Finlayson

Men’s and women’s apparel, hats, and gift items including books, candles, and more

Neighborhood & Address: North Loop | 204 N 1st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Website: Askov Finlayson
Instagram: @askovfinlayson
Why We Love Them: The newly relaunched Askov Finlayson is a proudly climate positive business. They’re committed to offsetting the social cost of their carbon footprint by donating to organizations that have a focus on climate change education and advocacy and innovative climate change solutions. Read more about their commitment here. Learn more about their newly launched climate positive outerwear here.

BlackBlue

Men’s and women’s clothing and footwear

Neighborhoods & Addresses: Tangletown | 4754 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Summit-University | 614 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Website: BlackBlue
Instagram: @shopblackblue
Why We Love Them: They carry a thoughtfully curated collection of clothing for men and women in their two stunning locations spanning both of our fine cities—that’s one way to bridge the gap between Minneapolis and St. Paul, folks (this is a joke for our local friends).

The Coven

Memberships, tote bags, pins, stickers

Neighborhoods & Addresses: North Loop | 30 N 1st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Cathedral Hill | 165 Western Ave. N, Suite 8, St. Paul, MN 55102 (Opening soon!)
Website: The Coven
Instagram: @thecoven.co
Why We Love Them: The Coven is a community and workspace for women, non-binary, and trans people. While not technically a store, they are an amazing business in the community, and if you’re looking for a workspace, we’d recommend checking out their offerings! They also host regular events, and you can find more info on their upcoming events here.

Tip: The Coven is opening their second location this month and is currently selling founding memberships. These are available for a limited time, and a major deal at $1,800—a $400 savings off of a standard annual membership and a $900 savings off of a standard monthly membership.

Forage Modern Workshop

Home decor, furniture, and gifts

Neighborhood & Address: Powderhorn | 4023 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Website: Forage Modern Workshop
Instagram: @foragemodern_mn
Why We Love Them: I love popping into Forage Modern Workshop to browse their selection of unique home goods. It’s a gem for finding items that will stand out from the herd (in the best way possible).

Tip: Forage Modern Workshop is also hosting an art show in their integrated gallery space! Stop by to browse (and purchase!) ceramic pieces from Minneapolis artist Ginny Sims.

The Foundry Home Goods

Home goods, furniture, office supplies, kids’ toys and clothing

Neighborhood & Address: Tangletown | 322 W 48th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Website: The Foundry Home Goods
Instagram: @thefoundryhomegoods
Why We Love Them: The Foundry Home Goods is a shop full of well-designed essentials for your home. And they have kids’ toys, clothing, and books, too, for the littles in your life. Located in the lovely Tangletown neighborhood of South Minneapolis, the shop is but a short drive from Downtown Minneapolis, right off of 35W.

Gigi’s Flair Emporium

Tons of amazing pins, patches, and other miscellaneous cute shit (as told by Gigi) 

Neighborhood & Address: Corcoran |  2223 E 35th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Website: Gigi’s Flair Emporium
Instagram: @gigisflairemporium
Why We Love Them: This store holds plenty of unique items that would make perfect gifts. They carry pins in all varieties, including pronoun pins and Minnesota themed pins, along with many other pieces from makers around the world. 

Tip: The Future (@thefuturempls) is where Gigi’s shop is located, and they carry amazing Tarot decks, crystals, candles, jewelry, tinctures, and potions!

Golden Age Design

Mid-century modern furniture and accessories, and one-of-a-kind art pieces

Neighborhood & Address: Lee Park | 4157 W Broadway Avenue, Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Website: Golden Age Design
Instagram: @goldenagedesign
Why We Love Them: Per the Golden Age Design team, they strive to source from makers and brands that place value on not only quality and design but also sustainability. They’ve also expanded into offering some great European toys for the kiddos! A few of their favorite items right now include this ceramic jug, this stitched cotton blanket, and this oak frame.

Tip: Now through December 22, bring in a new toy or game, or 5 non-perishable food items or household items and receive 10% off your entire purchase. All donations will be given to PRISM in Golden Valley.

Golden Rule Gallery

Art, jewelry, apparel, home goods, and more

Neighborhood & Address: Excelsior | 350 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331
Website: Golden Rule Gallery
Instagram: @goldenrulegallery
Why We Love Them: The Golden Rule Gallery is a champion of local makers. They carry a number of products from local designers and invite them in to showcase their wares in-person (case in point, on slide two!). I love stopping by to browse their lovely collection of art, home goods, and jewelry.

Grethen House

Women’s clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories

Neighborhoods & Addresses: 50 & France | 4930 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55410
North Loop | 212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 109, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Nicollet Island | 318 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (GH2 & Outlet)
Website: Grethen House
Instagram: @grethenhouse
Why We Love Them: Grethen House is a beautifully curated shop that offers clothing and accessories from an incredible selection of designers. They sell beautiful pieces that will carry you from the office to your next event!

Hazel & Rose

Women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, and skincare products

Neighborhood & Address: Northeast | 201 6th St. SE #2, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Website: Hazel & Rose
Instagram: @shophazelandrose
Why We Love Them: Hazel & Rose was opened “…with the intent to showcase independent brands – some locally made, others from around the world – who were committed to quality, beauty, transparency, and sustainability.” They’ve upheld this goal ever since, and I love stopping by their storefront to browse their offerings.

IDUN

Apparel, accessories, apothecary items, bags, jewelry, and shoes

Neighborhood & Address: Cathedral Hill | 495 Selby Avenue, St. Paul MN 55102
Website: IDUN
Instagram: @shopidun
Why We Love Them: IDUN carries timeless pieces from a curated selection of designers—every item they sell makes the best kind of statement. I stop by whenever I’m in the neighborhood, and each time I buy something from here, I know it will wear well for many years to come.

MartinPatrick3

Men’s apparel, sneakers, and custom suits, furniture, accessories, and artwork

Neighborhood & Address: North Loop | 212 Third Avenue North, Suite 106, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Website: Martin Patrick 3
Instagram: @martinpatrick3
Why We Love Them: MartinPatrick3 carries an incredibly chic variety of pieces, from everything to apparel to furnishings to artwork. In the store, there’s inspiration around every turn. MartinPatrick3 Studio is a full-service interior design firm—take a peek at a few of their stunning projects here.

Mille

Women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, and fragrances

Neighborhood & Address: Tangletown | 4760 Grand Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Website: Mille
Instagram: @shopmille
Why We Love Them: Their selection of clothing and accessories is a dream, as is the beautiful space in which the shop is housed. Mille designs their own in-house clothing collection to boot—you can browse their gorgeous fall lookbook here.

Mother

Plants, planting accessories, and pottery

Neighborhood & Address: Hawthorne | 2400 North Second St., Minneapolis, MN 55411
Website: Mother
Instagram: @shopmother
Why We Love Them: This shop carries cacti and tropical plants, plus the accessories and pottery to go with them. We all know by now that greenery makes an amazing addition to any space, so this holiday season stop by Mother and give something that will add to your giftee’s home or office for years (we believe in them!) to come.

Parc Boutique

Women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, skincare products, and small goods

Neighborhood & Address: North Loop | 212 North 2nd Street #102, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Website: Parc Boutique
Instagram: @parcshop
Why We Love Them: Parc carries simple, minimalistic pieces from independent designers and makers. If you’re looking for gifts, they also have an incredible selection of jewelry, candles, and skincare products that anyone would be delighted to receive. Find them at their beautiful new location in the North Loop!

Shop Wit & Delight

Productivity tools, prints, and stationery

Website: Shop Wit & Delight
Instagram: @shopwitanddelight
Why We Love Them: You can browse a selection of productivity tools, all designed and tested extensively by our team. You can also find all of the artwork I’ve designed over the years here, available as prints (framing options are also available!). Please keep in mind that all sales of our new 8″ x 10″ Pink Rose print through the end of 2019 will be donated to Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit set on ending the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.

Solo Vino Bottle Shop

An incredible variety of wines, both domestic and imported

Neighborhood & Location: Summit-University | 517 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102
Website: Solo Vino Bottle Shop
Instagram: @solovinowine
Why We Love Them: Whether gifting to our family or friends, or to the hosts that help make this season so festive, chances are many of us will be giving a bottle of wine at some point in the next few weeks. If you’re local to the Twin Cities, I’d recommend buying from a locally-owned shop like Solo Vino, which carries a variety of wines from both near and far.

The Store at Mia

Books, jewelry, accessories, gift items

Neighborhood & Location: Whittier | 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Website: The Store at Mia
Instagram: @artsmia
Why We Love Them: Housed within one of Minneapolis’ incredible museums, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Store at Mia offers an amazing selection of jewelry, accessories, books, and more. You’re sure to find something for almost any person on your list here.

Storied Owl Books

Adult’s and children’s books, and a selection of bulk candy

Neighborhood & Location: Macalester-Groveland | 2059 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Website: Storied Owl Books
Instagram: @storiedowlbooks
Why We Love Them: This independent bookstore carries an amazing selection of books, both for children and adults. It’s a one-stop-shop for anyone looking to give your friends or family a good read this holiday season. And if you’re looking for a family outing, you can stop by Storied Owl Books for storytime on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Tip: Receive a free Storied Owl Books mug or glass with every $50 gift card you purchase through Christmas Eve (while supplies last)! Additionally, this shop is currently offering free gift wrapping!

Tandem Vintage

Vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories

Neighborhood & Location: Northeast | 13 5th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 (located in findfurnish)
Website: Tandem Vintage
Instagram: @tandemvintage
Why We Love Them: Owner Amanda Baumann sources an incredible selection of vintage clothing pieces and accessories for any occasion. If you, too, are looking to buy more secondhand items these days, scouring vintage racks for treasures is an amazing way to do it.

Wild Rumpus

Books galore!

Neighborhood & Location: Linden Hills | 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410 
Website: Wild Rumpus
Instagram: @wildrumpusbooksmpls
Why We Love Them: This bookstore is an absolute treat to visit. Little ones can walk in through the Dutch door to explore their aisles upon aisles of books. The Wild Rumpus also houses live animals and hosts a number of events—it’s an incredible neighborhood bookstore on the west side of the river.

Tip: Looking for help on which books to buy for holiday gifts? You can find the Wild Rumpus staff’s reviews of their favorite books for all ages in their 2019 Buyer’s Guide. As an added bonus, Wild Rumpus offers complimentary gift wrapping!

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Editor’s Note: Are you interested in reading in-depth interviews from four of these shop owners? You can find our recent post featuring The Foundry Home Goods, Mille, Parc Boutique, and Tandem Vintage here.

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.