Small Shop Love
Last weekend I attended The Collective 2017 - an awesome event put on by LAB Mpls. This creative, jam-packed event left me feeling inspired and grateful to live in such a cool city where creative businesses embrace and support each other and come together to make even more amazing experiences for consumers.
The Collective 2017 was held at Loring Social (headquarters of LAB Mpls); this day-long event brought together small, local, creative businesses for hours of exploring, chatting, shopping local+small, and some impressive eye candy that made it impossible to walk away empty handed. This was not just a pop-up, but a modern marketplace with an awesome lineup of speakers from local business owners, all coming together to share their creative talents.
I not only walked away with exposure to some (new) favorite shops but visited some already favorites. I got in on a refreshing discussion put on by Bittercube Mpls - talking "Future Cocktails" and snagged a few fun finds. Check out some of my favorite brands (new and old) from our marvelous, creative city.
Here's a full list of the vendors that were present. I can't name them all even though they are ALL awesome - here are a few favorites, check them out!
Golden Rule
Golden Rule collective is one of the COOLEST artsy fartsy shops in town. They're located in Excelsior in the most darling shop that looks like a house. Their bright and airy storefront is filled with handmade prints, jewelry, bags, candles, clothing, beauty products and other pretty things galore! I have purchased a ton of prints from them for our graphic gallery wall at home. Besides selling some awesome and unique retail, they have a studio upstairs for workshops!
Paisley and Sparrow
I was introduced to Paisley and Sparrow at a "Brands and Brews" events last summer and she has only expanded her line since then! Jen's online marketplace was built upon supporting organizations she loves, check out her full story here. Her shop carries tons of beautiful, high quality products - bags (loving these leather bags), hats, scarves, clothing, jewelry, home gifts, you name it. The coolest thing of all is that you can shop by cause on Paisley and Sparrow (at-risk women, sex trafficking victims, HIV + women, made in America), directly fulfilling the shop's purpose!
SPOT Spa Botique
I can't believe how many times I have walked by SPOT Spa in Northeast Minneapolis and not stopped - I am embarrassed, because all this time I was missing out! I sampled some of their Magnetic Body Butter at the Collective event and was instantly in heaven. All their beauty products are natural and made from high quality ingredients - the body butter for instance is made with coconut oil, shea butter, rosemary; literally butter on the skin. I walked away with that plus some aromatic, restorative bath salts (meant to be used prior to a sickness coming on, dead sea salts are super healers!). Spa services include everything from acupuncture to massage or natural nails. They have a spa in Northeast and Uptown, definitely worth testing out their products or stopping in for some "urban wellness".
Sota Clothing
Love me some Sota Clothing! I own quite a few pieces and they're sold in many boutiques throughout our city and state (made in Sota!). They were at the MN State Fair this past summer and also happen to be sold at a few of my favorite shops like Primrose Park (Nisswa, MN). Best place for weekend gear like sweatshirts, ball caps, baseball tees and have some fun accessories to sport your love for MN - they make for great gifts! It's almost boating and campfire season folks, get your MN gear.
Urban Undercover
I stumbled upon Urban Undercover at the Collective and was pleasantly surprised to find them. The owner lured us in by asking if she could show us her underwear - odd or clever? Urban Undercover is a lingerie line designed for travel. These go-to travel essentials are made from Italian lace and are not only buttery smooth but they have some fun organizational benefit: the "underwearables" have two flaps that they fold into on the back of the waistband – one says “let’s go” and one says “nope”. Fold ’em one way when they are clean and another when they are dirty - avoid what they refer to as "underwear roulette". A high quality piece with built in organization? They had me at hello. They carry bralettes, underwear, slips, bags and this awesome travel wrap (that I may have to have).
Minny and Paul
These guys make amazing curated gift boxes with a Minnesota theme and goodies from local MN shops. They team up with other artists and feature their products in their gift boxes, you might even notice some of the products I've mentioned in this article in their gift boxes! I've ordered a few of these as gifts and they are so great. They have bridal boxes, closing gifts, and many themed boxes such as pampering, treats, home, love, etc. Cute as all get out, you will want to buy one for yourself... www.minnyandpaul.com
Photo credit: https://www.greenbeejuicery.com/
Green Bee Juicery
Just discovered these guys prior to attending the Collective too - Green Bee Juicery is a small shop making quality, raw, cold pressed juices in South Minneapolis. They're fresh, delicious and served up in mason jars! Order 4-packs, growlers or 3-day cleanses - they even have a member program. I'm all about that Tumeric Glow right now.
Koonyai Studios
I am so happy to have discovered Koonyai Studios via the Collective. They have some really unique, minimal jewelry pieces, many made from concrete or metals, in geometric shapes - blacks and gold? Yes please! Love the aesthetic and would wear any of these pieces as staples. Beau - Principal Designer / Owner / Maker is based out of Minneapolis and you can shop her goods online here: www.koonyaistudio.com
http://www.timberandtulip.com/collection#/dakotasidetable/
Timber & Tulip
Brianne quit her full time corporate job last year and started making really beautiful handmade furniture - lots of it with a mid-centurty twist so naturally I was drawn in. She works directly with clients to create custom one-of-a-kind pieces that take interior style to the next level. Timber & Tulip will be at Art-a-Whirl this year so stop by her new studio at Northrup King Building or check out her collection online: www.timberandtulip.com/collection
Local Spirit Support
Prior to sitting in on our "Future of Cocktails" (Bittercube) speaker presentation, I indulged in the signature cocktail at the event made with BET vodka, elderflower, lime, etc, making for a pretty killer concoction. Support your local spirits and know what you're putting in your body and what kind of businesses you are supporting. (Plus, their labels are letterpressed and will look beautiful on your bar cart...)
Also, Bittercube, local Minneapolis bitters company, creates cocktail magic throughout the Twin Cities. They consult with many restaurants and bars, creating unique cocktail programs throughout the country. They have a team of dedicated cocktail craftsmen and are pretty good at putting on a great show, cocktail class, weddings or cocktail party They're all in support of the craft cocktails we all love - they enjoy experimenting in this craft cocktail bubble and focus on using local, quality spirits and ingredients to give you the greatest cocktail experience. Check out some of the bars and restaurants they're creating unique experiences for and see for yourself. (Can Can Wonderland, Eat Street Social, Lawless Distilling, Alma to name a few!)
Well, this makes ME want to load up my local carts all over again... hopefully this inspires you to check out and support these awesome local creatives - let me know which ones I am missing out on or any recently discovered shops on your list. :)
