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Beyond the mall: great
neighborhood shops
By Donna Tabbert Long
If you’re a shopper like me whose idea
of bliss includes finding a funky little storefront next door to a local
coffeehouse roasting its
own beans, tucked away in some lively neighborhood, the Minneapolis area
offers several areas worth exploring.
Uptown (located south of downtown), is an eclectic community of people
and lifestyles – and a must-stop for those who adore one-of-a-kind
dress shops like Local Motion, where the designer/shop owner may be wearing
a wrap skirt she stitched up that morning. At Luna Vinca Florist, a European-style
flower shop a few blocks from Calhoun Square’s little mall, shopping
divas can score some of the best quirkily exclusive goods (vases, candlesticks,
pillows) to be found anywhere. Next door is Dunn Bros. coffee – the
local favorite, where beans are roasted fresh daily.
The 50th and France neighborhood is privileged Minneapolis at its best.
Stroll the cobblestone walkways and browse upscale shops for handcrafted
jewelry or dozens of designer clothing stores for men, women and babies.
(Remember: Minnesota has no sales tax on clothes!) For bargain-hunting
fashionistas, one of the finest consignment places in the Minneapolis
area is here at Fashion Avenue. Or wander into the French-inspired, Alouette,
with its charming
tabletops and loads of Parisian tchotchkes.
If turn-of-the-century homes, chocolate truffles and quality books for
kids are on your shopping list – then consider a visit to Grand Avenue
in St. Paul. Here, many of the locally owned stores are housed in old mansions.
Check out the Red Balloon Bookstore or Summit Fly Fishing Company. At Just
Truffles it’s fun to watch chocolates being hand rolled and dipped.
You can also chat with the chocolatier owners (they live upstairs), plus
sample some delectable finds. That’s really what neighborhood shopping
is all about, isn ’t it? Donna Tabbert Long is a freelance writer who lives in the Minneapolis
area. Click here for more about
Donna and additional travel features she has written on Minneapolis.org.
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