Lake Effect in Excelsior. All Photos by TJ Turner
The beginning of summer calls for new pieces that keep up with the season’s trends in a way that speaks to one’s individual aesthetic. While the Twin Cities (and, of course, Bloomington) are home to many well-known shopping destinations, they are not the be-all-end-all for local, independent boutique options. As you embark on your summer shopping excursion, stop by and support these creative and unique Minnesota businesses.
Edina
Parc Boutique: Minimalist boutique featuring women’s apparel and gifts at reasonable price points. Read our Q&A with owner Thao Nguyen here.
Equation: Modern, designer boutique carrying apparel by Diane von Furstenberg, Tom Ford, and more. Its extensive gift selection includes home décor and kitchenware.
Nani Nalu: By-appointment beachwear specialist. High-quality swimsuits, cover-ups, and beach-ready items from designer brands.
Grethen House: Fashion-forward, contemporary women’s clothing and accessories from designer brands. Locations include stores at 50th and France and Minneapolis’ North Loop.
Bumbershute: Frequently updated collection of designer clothing and accessories for women. Carries brands like Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, and Alice + Olivia.
Bluebird Boutique: Known for their high-end denim, this nationally recognized boutique carries clothing, home goods, and accessories in-store and online. Bluebird ships orders across the country for free.
H.o.b.o: Family-owned boutique that offers customers personal styling services. Sleek, modern looks with a store interior to match.
Melly: Store for women and girls with a colorful, summery aesthetic. Although it mainly stocks Lilly Pulitzer, it also carries designer brands such as Kate Spade and Diane von Furstenberg.
Dugo: An acronym for Dress Up Go Out, this boutique specializes in everything from party dresses to ready-to-wear day clothes.
Kisa Boutique: This Turkish-inspired store also has close ties to Minnesota culture through showcasing local brands like Bouchard Design Co. Other locations include Minneapolis and Minnetonka.
Equation in Edina
Excelsior
Golden Rule Collective: Collaborative boutique that works with local makers to stock handmade home goods, jewelry, art, clothing, and more.
Buck + Fir: This shop carries a mix of local heritage brands—think Minnetonka Moccasins and Askov Finlayson—as well as contemporary streetwear from Free People and MPLS/STP Clothing Co.
Lake Effect: Nautically inspired clothing, gifts, and home goods that fit right in with the Excelsior lake culture. Much of its merchandise is handcrafted in Minnesota.
Brightwater Clothing and Gear: Outdoor clothing and tools for men and women. Its curated selection includes brands like Fjallraven and Faribault Woolen Mill. Read about their participation in Excelsior Fashion Week.
Primp: This St. Paul-based store has become a veritable local franchise, with seven successful locations and two more on the way. Services include personal styling and party hosting.
Gray Home + Lifestyle: Created and run by a mother and daughter, this lifestyle store recently debuted a collaborative line with Hackwith Design House and also carries locally made jewelry.
Big Island Swim & Surf: Offers great deals on high-end swim and beachwear. Carries bathing suits, coverups, boat shoes, and beach gear for people of all ages and genders.
Golden Rule Collective in Excelsior
Mankato
Semblance: The second location of this New Ulm boutique just opened at the end of last year, and their thoughtful selection of clothing, décor, and apothecary items is unlike any other in the state.
Gallery 512 Boutique: This trendy, sister-run boutique was created with a mission of bringing a taste of the big city to the rural New Ulm community. The second Mankato location opened in late 2015.
Minnetonka
Kisa Boutique: Read about the Ridgedale Mall location here.
Prior Lake
Wild Ruffle: What started as an occasional pop-up shop has become a fully-fledged boutique in the up-and-coming Prior Lake shopping scene. The store carries locally made clothing, jewelry, and other goods from a number of artists and makers.
The Vintage Gypsy: A unique mix of locally made, vintage-inspired items and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces from shop owner Marie Boucher-Hoese’s own collection.
St. Louis Park
Evereve: Formerly known as Hot Mama, the Edina-based national chain remains committed to providing moms with funky, age-defying pieces that celebrate their gifts. Other locations include St. Paul, Roseville, and Wayzata.
Stillwater
Urban Violet: Though a new location opened last year in Minneapolis, this boho-chic boutique originally opened in Stillwater in 2010. Their trendy women’s clothing compliments their selection of vintage décor and home goods.
Merilou in Wayzata
Wayzata
Merilou Boutique: From the founder of Stella and Dot jewelry, this glamorous boutique carries a selection of elevated casual clothing and accessories for women.
Sun & Slope Clothing Outfitters: Affordable high-quality clothing and gear for the outdoorsy shopper.
White Bear Lake
John Henry: Run by one half of the husband-and-wife owners of local chain Primp, this menswear concept store focuses on stocking high-quality clothing and accessories at an affordable price.
Woodbury
Primrose Park: Original to Minneapolis, the second location of this women’s boutique joins other independent shops Sisu and Merriment in Woodbury’s Tamarack Hills. Primrose Park stocks European-inspired clothing, accessories, and home goods.
Sisu: This family-run shop prides itself in engaging with and giving back to the local community. Provides the modern woman with fashion-forward and trendy ready-to-wear styles.
