It’s no secret that shoppers from around the Metro come to Edina to peruse the local boutiques and wares. Between 50th and France, the Galleria and more, dozens of independent businesses are thriving in spite of a struggling economy. Much of that has to do with an increased awareness of the importance of the independents, thanks in part to The 3/50 Project, launched in March 2009 by Cinda Baxter. The project encourages shoppers throughout the nation to choose three locally owned and operated shops and restaurants and spend $50 in each. “Our mission is to get people to balance their spending a little more between independents and chains,” says Baxter.
Participants in The 3/50 Project are found throughout the nation, and a handful, like the 50th & France Association, call Edina home. With a renewed interest on shopping locally and supporting independent shops, we took to the streets to uncover some of what Edina has to offer.
Goodnight Moon has gone through more than a few transitions since opening in 1999, says owner Deborah Damian. “My first baby customers are now in middle school,” she admits.
She describes her merchandise as classic, clean and contemporary, with myriad options for boys and girls up to size 10. There’s something to be said for the personalized service, like gift wrapping, shipping, special orders and complementary calls when a favorite brand arrives in stock, with which Damian runs her business. Shoppers’ favorites among the 30-some brands in stock include Kissy Kissy and Petit Bateau. “It’s all high quality, but not necessarily high price,” says Damian.
5051 France Ave., 952.285.5252
Spend $50 on: Hot pink Love U Lots by Mulberribush brand dress ($42)
Neighborhood Ice Cream Shoppe
It doesn’t get more local than The Neighborhood Ice Cream Shoppe, open daily from April through mid-October. Owner Eric Wold and his wife Meredith live a mile and a half from the eatery, the scoopers are area high school students, and the primary customers are families and kids sports teams looking to taste test one of their 44 flavors. Wold’s favorite? “Chocolate chip cookie dough,” he says. For the more adventurous, he recommends Superman, a colorful fruity delight, or Playdough, blue ice cream with a sugar cookie crumble.
6137 Kellogg Avenue; 952.922.9597
Spend $50 on: 18 single-scoop cones ($2.75 each including tax)
A mainstay at the Galleria, Epitome is both a women’s clothing store and a stationary shop. Owner Irene Cooperman, a resident of the Westin Edina Galleria apartments, says she and her staff love to help shoppers put an entire look together, from casual to dressy. One of the many unbeatable aspects about ordering custom invitations or stationary through Epitome is that all printing is done on-site, which ensures speedy delivery of your final product.
3995 Galleria; 952.920.2978
Spend $50 on: Personalized (color and monogrammed) bath wraps ($44-$48)
Twill by Scott Dayton, best known for having classic and versatile American clothing for men, is all about convenience. “We know our customers are busy and don’t have a lot of time to spare,” says owner Scott Dayton. “We keep our customers’ sizes, favorite brands and colors on file. If he’s in a hurry, he can call ahead and our staff can pick out clothing before he gets to the store.”
With an array of golf shirts, sweaters, sportswear, neckwear and suits from lines like Peter Millar, Robert Talbott, Hickey Freeman and Southwick, Twill makes fashion fun for men.
3295 Galleria; 952.922.2711
Spend $50 on: 2 pairs of Vineyard Vines boxers ($24.50 each); Ultralight M-Clip money clips ($50 each)
Full of unique home furnishing items that you won’t find anywhere else, Decori Designs has been open in Edina for 22 years. “I have five designers that work with me and everybody bends over backwards,” says owner Suzanne Haugland.
From helping you select the perfect fabrics, pillows and lamps for your home, to at times offering their own SUVs to deliver items that won’t fit in a client’s car, they have top-notch service down to a T.
3924 West 50th St.; 952.922.0111
Spend $50 on: Aroma Porcelain Room Diffusers ($45); small orchid arrangement ($28) and decorative glass balls ($8-$27, prices vary depending on size)
Bay Street Shoes & Accessories
Known for carrying some of the best women’s shoes and accessories in town, Bay Street Shoes seeks to please the customers by bringing exceptional service and friendliness to Edina that you can’t find in department stores. Choose from big-name shoe brands like Clarks and Dr. Martens as well as jewelry and purses made right here in Minnesota.
Spend $50 on: Franco Sarto canvas espadrilles ($52); Milano Gina bag ($40.00); scarves ($28 each)
Roses, freesia, peonies, Persian zinnias, oriental basil and limelight hydrangeas are just a handful of the locally grown flowers blossoming at Garden Gate Flowers. “We even carry locally made products made with locally grown stems, such as our famous velvet pumpkins!” says owner Melinda Benham. Her talented team will help you find just the right European-style fresh flowers for both inside and outside your home.
5023 France Ave. S.; 612.929.8030
Spend $50 on: a one-of-a-kind design hand-delivered to your loved one
Picket Fence Needlepoint
“It’s the ambience: the colorfulness of the needlepoint designs and creativity of everyone here,” says Joanne Mahoney, of what draws shoppers into Picket Fence Needlepoint. The shop changes twice a year and now features Scandinavian designs through the summer.
3907 W. 54th St.; 952.920.7888
Spend $50 on: A gift certificate for the needlepoint enthusiast in your life
Gear Running Store
The growing trend towards barefoot running has caused inventory at Gear Running Store to change significantly within the past two years. “Well over half of our customers come in looking for naturalist shoes,” says co-owner Paul Horan. “They’re so big right now we can barely keep them in.”
They carry well-known brands like Nike and New Balance as well as athletic apparel and accessories. As a trained marathoner eager to share his expertise with customers, Horan offers free running clubs between late spring and early fall for those looking to improve their technique. From walkers to serious runners, Horan says everyone is welcome as long as they come with enthusiasm about running.
4406 France Ave. S.; 952.926.2645
Spend $50 on: Nike Free running shoes ($85-$100)
Since 1995, Art Resources Gallery has committed to supporting Edina’s economy and promoting local talent, as manager Beverly Madden-Bishop says one of the first things her clients tend to ask is whether or not the art is local. “We know it’s an important factor to them,” she says. “Many local artists got their start here, most notably Jeff Boutin. He was a walk-in with a large canvas six years ago and is now in 11 galleries throughout the country,” Bishop adds.
3245 Galleria; 952.922.1770
Spend $500-$1,500 on: Original works on paper by various artists (Also have hand-blown glass vases for $195)
A fun shop with unique gifts for all occasions, Live Laugh Love is a family-run business owned by Edina residents Kevin and Kary Shaw. Knowing their customers is key when it comes to choosing their inventory, and Kary says Kevin has a great eye for spotting trends. “We try to know our customers by name. We’re all about keeping it local,” she says. “We’re willing to take time to help you find the perfect gift. If it takes two hours to put a Pandora bracelet together, we’ll do it.”
Ladies Night Out (July 28) is rapidly approaching, and Live Laugh Love is wasting no time preparing. With the hottest items from Vera Bradley and Pandora on display, an appearance by local artist Jodi Hills, sparkling cider and other sweets available for shoppers, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable evening.
5019 France Ave. S.; 952.929.0701
Spend $50 on: Lindsay Phillips “Switchflops” in Marie Silver ($49.99)
Looking to put some finishing touches on your recently renovated living room? Stop in and talk to the sales staff at Gather, who are all trained in home décor. They can help you choose special home accents to complete a room that will reflect your personality, like their signature line of Eva Gordon ceramics, hand-sculpted and glazed to reflect old world style.
4999 France Ave. S.; 612.920.1400
Spend $50 on: Michael Aram dog bone frame ($59); Prairie tealight holder ($60); Frog bookends ($62.50/pair)
Being a Bluebird shopper guarantees you won’t look like everybody else in Edina. While they stay up on current trends with denim and T-shirts, they receive a very limited quantity of sizes in each item. “We cycle through clothes constantly,” says owner Sacha Martin. “You can come in here every week and get something new.”
Open for seven years, the shop is best known for carrying high-end designs like J Brand and Elizabeth & James.
3909 W. 50th St.; 952.746.8675
Spend $50 on: Brandy Melville T-shirt dress ($50)
In business at the Galleria since 1981, Brass Handle is family-owned and open 7 days a week. They keep over 3,000 hardware and bath accessories in stock from 80 different factories and distributors. Make it your go-to spot when you’re looking to update your powder room with a new towel bar, or your kitchen cupboards with new handles.
3605 Galleria; 952.927.7777
Spend $50 on: Magnifying mirrors for your bathroom ($70-$100)
Living just three blocks away from Ladyslipper Boutique makes it pretty simple for co-owner Amanda Rose to get to work. She and co-owners Sacha Martin and Allison Mowery know the value of recognizing their clients and being active within the community. Rose says they order merchandise, including brands like House of Harlow and Cynthia Vincent, based on what works best for their clients. “We don’t buy for a certain price point. If it’s cute and current, we’ll order it. We try to go for a look versus a label, which means a combination of price points,” says Rose.
Why does Rose support local businesses? “It’s what gives the neighborhood character,” she says. We couldn’t agree more.
4940 France Ave. S.; 952.224.1900
Spend $50 on: Tkees brand flip flops, in neutral and black shades of leather, suede and patent ($46)
