Photo by Wing Ta
Heather Fox already had her hands full with projects before the pandemic, and work hasn’t let up. She and husband Brad Fox had recently expanded the Fox Homes brand beyond real estate and renovation into the HGTV show Stay or Sell.
“The housing market is on fire right now and it’s been an interesting year for our businesses,” she says. “Buyers are struggling to find homes, and nearly every house our team lists has 20 offers—many are well above list price. Buyers are making sacrifices they wouldn’t have made a year ago or even six months ago. The building world is very busy too. With COVID, so many of our supplies are delayed—if they even show up!”
In June of 2020, the Foxes opened the home goods store Foxwell Shoppe & Studio in Edina. “We have a whole section inspired by our Palm Springs vacation home,” she says. “We stock a great selection of Momma Pots colorful planters and plants. We love the pop of color they provide—add a cactus and you’re set. We also love Sunnylife outdoor blankets and pool toys. We also feature a ton of [items by] women makers from around the world, like handmade rugs from Turkey and jewelry made in Scotland.”
For this summer, Heather has a mix of tips for families, couples, and home decor enthusiasts.
Artistic Exploration
“During First Thursdays at Northrup King Building, we go through all the artists’ different spaces to keep ahead of all the new trends, find new artists, and meet new people. These are people we’ve featured in projects and will rotate through at Foxwell, including Larissa Loden, Ashley Mary, and Michelle Brusegaard.”
Top Vintage Shopping
“North St. Paul’s Haus Theory is my favorite vintage shop. They’re really well-curated. Books, brass items, candle holders, and more Scandinavian-inspired finds are just the start of what you’ll find.”
2 Neighborhoods That Inspire
“One of our favorite things to do is roll the windows down, drive around Minneapolis’ Chain of Lakes, and look at the amazing architecture. There’s some really spectacular houses, and people have put so much pride into their landscaping. I love to walk or drive down Minnehaha Parkway. Those are some of the coolest houses in the metro.”
4 St. Croix Falls and Taylors Falls Daytrip Tips
“Brad has family in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, so we take weekend trips often to that region to explore Interstate State Park. There are really cute ice cream shops in the area, like Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour in Afton, and antique shops, like 136 Vintage in St. Croix Falls and Cellar Door antique furniture restoration in Taylors Falls. It’s only 45 minutes from downtown.”
2 Stillwater Weekend Stops
“You can do a night away at the Lora boutique hotel. It’s great for walking by the St. Croix River and checking out the little restaurants and shops. A great place for dinner is this little Italian place called Domaćin. The food is fabulous, and we did a wine tasting at its little wine bar.”
Provided
Aquatennial Staycation
“Every year in July, Brad and I stay at the Hewing Hotel during the Aquatennial festival (July 21-24). A little-known secret is that the best view of the fireworks is from their rooftop deck. You can sit and have one of their icy Moscow mules while you watch.”
Favorite Patio
“6Smith in Wayzata has the best patio. My kids use the little viewing goggles to look across the lake. They have an awesome summer menu with bar food done in a really cool way.”
Coffee Stops
“We end up at Rustica at Southdale often. Spectacular coffee, a cool vibe, and so close to where we run all our errands. Another favorite: Gray Fox, with great decor and great coffee in downtown Minneapolis.”
Live Music
“Brad plays drums in the local alt-Americana band Farewell Milwaukee, so we’ve missed doing a lot of outdoor music stuff in the summer. It’s finally the time when he can play at kid-appropriate times. All of the guys in the band have kids. Normally, they find outdoor festivals they can play during the day so all of the families can go. We’re crossing our fingers that we can get back to it this year.”
