Spring is buzzing with new specialty store openings across the Twin Cities area. We visited the latest to open (or change) and found an emerging trend: hybrid boutiques that stock a mix of clothing, home goods, gifts and skin care. Here's a glimpse at those lifestyle stores and more.
The New Hybrids
Gray Home and Lifestyle
Who/what: Longtime Excelsior home and garden store Gray Gardens Home recently changed hands. New mother-daughter owners Dee Dee and Chloe Lappen rebranded it Gray Home and Lifestyle and renovated the space.
Product range: Home goods, women's clothing and accessories, organic skin care line Grown Alchemist and gifts, including napkins and towels by cult Japanese brand Fog Linen and candles from Australian brand SOH Melbourne.
Local angle: Exclusives from Minneapolis clothing line Hackwith Design House and throws from Faribault Woolen Mill.
Now open, 366 Water St., Excelsior, 952-474-9150, grayhomeandlifestyle.com
Hazel and Rose
Who/what: Emma Olson, a former buyer at Target, is behind Minnesota's first boutique dedicated to "sustainable and ethical" fashion and skin care.
Product range: Includes small-batch skin care from Georgia-based Little Barn Apothecary and handmade lingerie by New York brand Uye Surana.
Local angle: Women's clothing by Winsome, hand-lettered cards by Hello, I'm Kate!, jewelry by L. Shoff and bean-to-bar chocolate by Meadowlands.
Opening March 18, 945 NE. Broadway, Suite 220, Mpls., shophazelandrose.com
Burlap and Brass
Who/what: Located a block from 50th and France, Burlap and Brass is a charming gift shop with fun and quirky gifts founded by former Anthropologie associate Rena Lindberg.
Product range: Handmade wooden bow ties, glassware made from Jameson bottles, and candles in reusable cut-glass jars. The beautifully curated store also sells vintage-inspired furniture and decor, as well as Blue Planet recycled eyewear and one-of-a-kind jewelry by Twine and Twig.
Local angle: Scarves by Faribault Woolen Mill, Muddy Mouth cards and Minnesota-themed T-shirts by Minnesota Awesome.
Now open, 5013 Ewing Av. S., Edina, 612-886-2870, facebook.com/burlap.brass
Women's Clothing
Buck and Fir
Who/what: Founded by mother-daughter trio Cindy, Kelsey and Ashley Berset, the women's clothing store is located in a renovated garage in Excelsior, lending it a North Loop warehouse vibe.
Product range: Streetwear-inspired looks popular on the coasts with Minnesota heritage style: retro sneakers by Saucony Originals and Brooks Heritage, casual shirts and dresses by Free People, Blank NYC and Olive and Oak and athleisure wear by Outdoor Voices.
Local angle: Ski hats in Minnesota sporting team colors by MPLS/STP Clothing Co., footwear by Minnetonka Moccasin, scarves by Martha McQuade's ScarfShop and "MPLS" and "St. Paul" sweatshirts by Ebbetts Field Flannels.
Now open, 219 East Drive, Excelsior, 952-470-3594, buckandfir.com
Golden Pearl Vintage
Who/what: Former Via's Vintage associate Audra Frizzell is behind Minneapolis' newest vintage shop, which features restored tin ceilings and a stunning art deco chandelier that once hung in a south Minneapolis Holiday Inn.
Product range: Upscale vintage for women and men, spanning gowns, party dresses, suits, footwear and accessories from the 1920s through the 1980s.
Local angle: Handmade leather goods by local designer (and store associate) Sarah M. Holm's product line, Black Spoke Leather Co.
Now open, 507A E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-378-3978, goldenpearlvintage.com
Poppy
Who/what: After opening Poppy's second location inside Twiggs Home and Garden in Linden Hills last year, owner Jill Henderson is expanding to take over the entire Twiggs storefront. Price points are affordable — most Poppy dresses sell for $88 or less.
Product range: Colorful clothing from brands such as Desigual, Kerisma and THML; clogs by Swedish brand Troentorp, plus a modern assortment of comfortable shoes from St. Paul retailer Shü Global Footwear.
Local angle: Knit dresses, skirts, sweaters and tops by local designer Laura Hlavac.
Opening April 8, 4301 Upton Av. S., Mpls., 612-719-7636, poppytogsandclogs.com
Roe Wolfe
Who/what: Women's clothing store Roe Wolfe, which opened in Mendota Heights in 2011 before moving to the North Loop in 2013, is on the move again — this time a few blocks away to the former Arrow boutique space.
Product range: Roe Wolfe will continue to carry favorites such as Maison Scotch, BB Dakota and Free People, and will add Eleven Paris and Cheap Monday jeans.
Local angle: Fair-trade handbags by Minneapolis-based brand Lion Heart Heart, T-shirts by My Sister and jewelry by local lines Larissa Loden and Tess and Tricia.
Current location closing March 24, 113 N. Washington Av., Suite 100, Mpls.; new location opening early April, 121 N. 1st St., Mpls., 612-294-6583, roewolfe.com
Apricot Lane Boutique
Who/what: Specializing in affordable, on-trend clothing and accessories, the franchised boutique owned by entrepreneur Kristine Haas just opened its third Minnesota location at the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove.
Now open, 12177 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, 763-315-9300, apricotlaneboutique.com
For the Home
Isles Studio
What: The newest addition to Minneapolis' East Isles neighborhood is a design studio and boutique from Jeff Bengtson, the former home furnishings manager at Martin Patrick 3.
Product range: Natural history collectibles and artifacts — think vintage taxidermy and found animal skulls — as well as gifts, garden and home decor inspired by nature.
Bonus: The shop also offers interior design, rentals and styling and staging services.
Now open, 1311 W. 25th St., Mpls., 612-999-4680, islesstudio.com
Que Será
Who/what: The longtime home furnishings boutique and interior design studio founded by Twin Cities interior design veteran Mary Lauer recently expanded into its basement.
Product range: A full range of high-end home decor, plus gifts such as agate coasters, luxury candles and handmade journals.
Now open, 244 Water St., Excelsior, 952-924-6390, quesera-style.com
The Sitting Room
What: The high-end home design firm recently moved its boutique to a charming storefront on Excelsior's busy Water Street.
Product range: An eclectic mix of new and vintage items for the home, including furniture, lighting, home goods and gifts.
Now open, 206 Water St., Excelsior, 952-473-4440, thesittingroomstudio.com
Jahna Peloquin is the style editor of Minnesota Monthly and is a freelance writer and stylist in the Twin Cities.
