photos courtesy of uptown mn
While Ridgedale’s new Nordstrom store has dominated the coverage of the mall’s recent makeover, the opening of Uptown MN gives shoppers a true taste of Minnesota. The boutique specializes in stocking locally made goods spanning clothing, accessories, artwork, housewares, beauty products, and baked goods.
The store eschews the usual decorative wooden loons or framed prints of the Minneapolis skyline. Instead, Uptown MN takes a slightly quirkier, less touristy approach to Minnesota pride, including stocking goods by hip local artists, such as an exclusive series of prints, T-shirts, and pint glasses featuring Minnesota landmarks and icons by illustrator Adam Turman, and goods displaying the Sharpie marker art of Mark Rivard that makes “Spoonbridge and Cherry” look like something out of a graphic novel.
Crowd pleasers such as Faribault Woolen Mill blankets, Steller Handcrafted Goods’ fleece throws and mittens crafted from upcycled Scandinavian sweaters, and fragrances by Illume make holiday gift-giving a snap. • uptownmn.com
