
Courtesy Ben Thompson
Scout, a “handsome apparel” and gift boutique, opened its first storefront in St. Paul in August 2018. Now, it’s adding a second location to its arsenal in Edina. The new boutique, located at 3927 Market St., will open April 5.
The boutique saw a boom in business in 2020 fueled by the community’s efforts to shop local, says Scout’s owner Ben Thompson, who runs the business with husband John Thompson. The store’s primary location in St. Paul’s West 7th neighborhood gained notoriety this past year, with businesses like Hope Breakfast Bar—across the street from Scout—boosting interest in the area.
“People are just really focused on supporting small local businesses right now,” says Thompson.

Courtesy Ben Thompson
Unlike its St. Paul location—inside a historic building—the second Scout store is housed in a new development called Nolan Mains. Thompson plans to use vintage fixtures and warm wood tones to make the space feel less industrial and more akin to Scout’s first location.
But as far as the products and feel go, shoppers can expect much of the same.
“We’re going to try and keep it as similar as we can. I think the only thing we might do is bring in some slightly more expensive stuff,” says Thompson.

Courtesy Ben Thompson
Scout has branded itself as a more “approachable” apparel brand with lower prices than other local boutiques, plus a fun, friendly atmosphere.
“We try not to actually label our store as a men’s store. We want to be open to all genders. Obviously, we have a masculine style because that’s what we know and are familiar with,” Thompson says. “But we’re queer-owned and want to be inclusive to everyone.”
Scout’s Edina location will continue to offer clothing, home goods, and gifts. They specialize in casual, outdoorsy brands that focus on eco-friendly materials and business practices. The new storefront will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.St. Paul Apparel Store Scout Opens Second Location in Edina