Provided
L’Etoile du Nord has a long tradition of craftsmanship spanning the legacies laid by immigrants and modern-day creative entrepreneurs. And while today’s emerging maker is tomorrow’s legacy brand, we highlight these established artisans to show how humble origins, good ideas, and hard work can pay off.
When we set out to tell the stories of some of Minnesota’s most famous, longest-lived makers, we looked at dedication to the craft, expertise in the field, and influence on the next generation. While the categories are many, we decided to focus on the realms of style, food, drink, craft, and home. And, of course, there may be other Minnesota brands in these categories known for their skills, history, and influence but we chose to highlight these makers mentioned most in the field.
Today, Minnesota leads the country in a maker renaissance, where major brands stand beside startups and work in partnerships to make room for many at the table. That is about community over competition—or, simply put, being Minnesotan. –Jerrod Sumner, aesthetic editor
5 Legacy Makers of MN
Abdallah Candies: A young Lebanese immigrant, with his Swedish bride, opened the business in 1909, and it has relied on their sweet recipes ever since
August Schell Brewing Company: Founded in 1860, the multi-generation brewery’s early success was due in part to Minnesota’s natural resources
Leather Works Minnesota: It all started in a backyard shed near St. Paul in 1999
Nordic Ware: You know the Bundt pans, but do you know their history?
Red Wing Shoes: One of the last shoe manufacturers in the U.S. keeps forging ahead
Up-and-Coming Legacy Makers
Home
Concrete Pig | furniture design | @concretepig | concretepig.com
Furniture by Degarmo | furniture and home goods | @tianna.degarmo | furniturebydegarmo.com
Custom Woven Interiors | weaver | @customwoveninteriors | kellymarshall.com
Craftmade Aprons | apron maker | @craftmadeaprons | craftmadeaprons.com
Heart Berry Designs | fashion and home goods | @heartberry.co | heartberry.com
Style
Ramadan Designs | fashion design | @ramadhan_designs | ramadhandesigns.com
Hybrid Nation | fashion | @hybridnationclothing.com | hybridnationclothing.com
Foat Design | sustainable fashion | @foatdesign | foatdesign.com
Makawa Studios | fashion and textiles | @makwa_studio | makwastudio.com
I Am Anishinaabe | fashion and accessories | @anishinaabekweniin | amanishinaabe.com
Food
Serious Jam | jam maker | @seriousjam | seriousjam.com
Humble Nut Butter | nut butter maker | @humblenutbutter | humblenutbutter.com
Hobby Farmer Canning | pickled goods and switchel makers | @hobbyfarmercanning_co | hobbyfarmerfoods.com
Red Lake Nation Foods | wild rice and native foods | redlakenationfoods.com
Drink
Urban Growler Brewing Company | brewery | @urbangrowler | urbangrowler.com
Emiliani Coffee | coffee roaster | @emilianicoffee | emilanicoffee.com
Du Nord Social Spirits | distillery | @dunordspirits | dunordcraftspirits.com
Heritage Tea & Beverage | tea | | @heritageteahouse | heritageteabeverages.com
Craft
Pinezen Pottery | potter | @pinezenpottery | pinzenpottery.com
Addington Co | bag maker, accessories and home goods | @addington_company | addingtonco.com
North Star Forge | knife maker | @northstar_forge | northstarforge.com
Lillie Nell | beadwork jewelry | @lillienellbeadworks | lillienell.com
Pat Kruse | birchbark, quillwork artist and culture teacher | @patkrusebirchbark | pat-kruse.com
Other notable brands that have left their own legacy on Minnesota:
Pearson’s Candy (1909)
Red Wing Stoneware & Pottery (1861 to 2020)
Faribault Woolen Mill Company (1892)
Duluth Pack (1882)
J.W. Hulme (1905)
Minnetonka (1946)
Summit Brewing Company (1986)
