Heidi Derner
The journey of Fox Run’s new brick-and-mortar flagship store in Arbor Lakes may be somewhat prototypical of a Minnesota maker and ambassador, but it has a few bells and whistles to its story that make it shine.
The Minnesota home decor and lifestyle brand, run by husband and wife Aaron and Tia Scott, first began when the two started buying and restoring vintage and antique furniture, but entering the Minnesota maker community made them realize their real passion was providing a platform for other artisans. Not so abnormal.
What is abnormal, however, is their 240-square-foot ex-military truck that they turned into a literal mobile marketplace in spring 2019. It—and the 13 makers that it showcased—snagged attention from the Minnesota State Fair, which invited them to have a booth that year, and that launched Fox Run’s long-term pop-up formula, the Market, complete with homey wooden shelves, white-painted farmhouse tables, and modern styling accents. The momentum those two experiences created (plus some perseverance during the pandemic) led the Scotts to open a 1,400-square-foot space with retail room for 25 Minnesota makers and a soon-to-come classroom space for 50 (12 during social distancing protocols) on June 18.
Heidi Derner
“Retail isn’t the base of what the store is supposed to be: It’s a place where people can come to do crafts and projects and hang out, and the retail is sort of a fun perk, basically,” Tia Scott says. “Retail and the retail climate is changing so quickly, so what is the best way to captivate your audience? I think that’s why we tried to diversify so quickly.”
And while they have always kept the customer experience at the forefront, equally so has been their vendor relationships. Each maker has their own product niche at Fox Run, and only when the Scotts get permission from the original vendor of that product can another vendor overlap in that area, whether it be totes or candles. Fox Run isn’t a space for intra-store competition and price wars—it’s a place for symbiosis, collaboration, and trust; showing the best of each possible product category. The environment has even been able to spawn some product development based on the insights the Scotts gained from their customers (see an ASpire/Grandma Skills crossover for “Hotdish” hotpads or Lower Woodland’s Paul and Babe prints).
Currently, the Fox Run store is open select weekends (follow them on social media for the latest), and make sure to stop by for their curation of pottery, hand-painted signs, art, accessories, apothecary items, and more. “People often say, ‘Oh, you’re a really cute gift store,’” Tia says. “I want people to be like, ‘This is a store I can come and find something for myself to enjoy’ rather than needing someone’s permission to buy a gift.”
Heidi Derner
Check out a few of the style makers you can find at Fox Run, or hop over to our sister publication Midwest Home for three brands you’ll want to bring into your home.
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Emily Walker Art Design
Emily Walker’s prints include springtime watercolor gradients, perfectly imperfect geometrics, and illustrated flowers. Pick which ones can brighten up your life, whether it’s through her purses, key rings, dish towels, or Swedish dishcloths.
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EverArt Jewelry
Chis Everaert’s handmade, sustainable jewelry focuses on metals made brilliant with added textures or shaping—and, depending on the piece, a luminous stone for a focal point.
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Spoonful Apparel
Spoonful Apparel’s simple, joyous designs donate 50% of its profits to fight childhood hunger in the U.S. Since Fox Run started including Spoonful Apparel, the Scotts have helped Spoonful fund more than 10,000 meals for children.
