shop small
I am a big proponent of shopping small and I need to do a better job of putting some of my favorite shops up on a pedestal more frequently. Small shops work SO incredibly hard and put a huge amount of effort, time, money, and more into what they do. I would know – I used to own a boutique with my mom.
Here are some of my favorite small shops, both locally in the Twin Cities, as well as online. I hope that you will take some time to check them out and let them know that I sent you! Know that this is NOT an exhaustive list of where I shop small and I am definitely forgetting about some amazing places. I’ll continue to add them as I discover (or remember!) them.
Chic Avenue Boutique And Chicwood Candle Co.
Based in Apple Valley, MN (and available online), Chic Avenue Boutique is a women’s clothing and accessory boutique is run by two of my friends (and sisters) that I’ve known since high school.
Krista and Jill offer very seasonally-appropriate clothing and accessories and try hard to bring in a full range of sizes so everyone can find something they love! They also started Chicwood Candle Co. from the ground up, pouring handmade candles into beautiful vessels of all shapes and sizes.
Lastly, they give back to the community often, which is something that I value so much when I choose where I spend my money.
EP Artisan Designs
EP Artisan Designs is a women’s accessory shop run by one of my friends since middle school.
Elise does a wonderful job with her seasonal and timeless hair accessory and jewelry designs, which come in both solid colors and patterns, as well as for adults and kids alike. She curates a great selection for themed drops and also takes custom orders.
My personal favorites are the large bow (pictured here) and the hair clips (also pictured to the right), which come in three different shapes. I have very thick hair and they do a great job holding a section of hair all day long.
You can use HOLIDAYCHEER to save at EP Artisan Designs through 12/10, when her shop closes until just after the first of the year.
Missy Pup & Co.
If you have dogs, love dogs, or know someone who has or loves dogs, Missy Pup & Co. is for you! Heather & her pup, Missy, are the stars of this boutique which features curated finds for your dog, your home, and your wardrobe.
Heather brings new accessories and apparel into the shop on a regular basis, announcing releases through her Instagram and selling products on the Missy Pup & Co. website as well as at in-person markets throughout Minnesota.
My dogs LOVE the bandanas, dino toys, and so much more. I’ve given great, heartfelt gifts from Missy Pup & Co and they’re always great quality but so affordable.
Chalkfulloflove
Chalkfulloflove is a small lifestyle company out of Austin, TX. It all started with Sarah, who began to showcase her lettering on prints and mugs, among other items. From there, it grew into curated seasonal and surprise boxes, home items (including the most amazing hand poured candles), and more.
CFL has grown in the 5+ years since I’ve been a loyal customer, but the attention to detail, quality, and awesome offering has never wavered. So many of my favorite mugs are CFL! Get 15% off when completing your first order with my link.
COURAGE & CLAY
Courage & Clay is a Twin Cities-based jewelry business that makes the most gorgeous earrings by hand out of polymer clay! They’re lightweight, chic, mostly neutral, and have both seasonal offerings and timeless designs.
One of the things that really appealed to me about Courage & Clay earrings is the texture that’s either stamped into the clay before baking and/or the hand painted designs. Really unique and the owner/maker, Brittany, is a FANTASTIC human. You can get a discount at Courage & Clay by using HEATHER10 at check out. Brittany will also do pop up markets throughout the year. Follow her on Instagram to find out where she’ll be next!
Callie Danielle Shop
I discovered Callie Danielle Shop about a year ago and am always mesmerized by her hand drawn “doodled” designs. She is so talented!
Callie produces her doodles in the form of various items like t-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, masks, Tervis tumblers, ornaments, and more! She has also brought some really cute accessories into her shop lately, which have included cardigans, candles, scarves, beanies, slippers, and more.
Callie also graciously teaches others how to doodle via her courses on drawing in the Procreate app, selling color palettes, brushes, and stamps, etc. to achieve a similar craft. She is also just a fantastic human to support and I highly recommend following her on Instagram, as well as regularly shopping her site.
Whirls & Purls
A few years ago, Jenny’s hat in Minnesota Vikings colors went viral and she was overwhelmed with orders due to its unique colors and pattern in a warm hat that was perfect for die hard Vikings fans.
Jenny has been selling a variety of hats and headbands on her website for a few years and pops into markets throughout the Twin Cities during cold weather months. The hats are incredibly warm (some are thick knit and some are merino wool-based) and every hat is unique.
I picked one up at a market this fall and safe to say, I’m completely in LOVE! I had a tough time deciding which one to get, but I do not regret my choice one bit. You can also follow Whirls & Purls on Instagram.
Bachman’s
Bachman’s is a Minneapolis-based floral, gift, and garden shop that’s been supported by my family for many, many years. I can remember going to Bachman’s with my mom, aunts, grandma, and others from a young age. Their selection of all things floral, plant, gift, and garden is amazing!
Now that I’m an adult with a house of my own for 8+ years, it’s a place I frequent for all kinds of things – sending flowers, picking up plants, garden supplies, seasonal items, and of course, gifts! They have seven stores in the Twin Cities area and also offer their plants and flowers at Lunds & Byerlys locations throughout the metro area.
Patina
One of the place I’m most sad that I can’t shop in store during the holiday season is one of my local favorites, Patina. Patina has a series of eight stores across the Twin Cities, but my favorites are in St. Paul.
Beginning in college, I’d pop into the Highland Park location while going out to dinner or shopping in the area, and eventually, I started going more to the Selby and Snelling location as it was near my condo and work. I’ve continued to shop this one because it’s in a really special place. The nice thing is that Patina does have an online shop, as well, but I will say – it’s not the same as browsing all of their fun displays in-person.
Cakesmith Baking Co.
If you’ve been around for a couple of years, you know that I had some AMAZING cookies at my bachelorette party and they were shared over and over. My beautiful (and equally delicious!) cookies were done by Amy, of Cakesmith Baking Co. which is a small business in Minnesota.
Since the famed cookies, I have done two cookie decorating classes (pre-COVID) with Amy and have done porch pick up orders of her tasty baked goods. She also creates many other tasty treats beyond cookies and cakes! Her stuff goes FAST because she has gotten very popular, but she is SO worth supporting and is a fantastic human, too!
Jays + Jewels
I discovered Jays + Jewels a couple years ago after one of my other favorite small shops, Chalkfulloflove launched a collab with J+J.
I was immediately taken with how gorgeous the jewelry was and decided to order a personalized necklace from the collaboration. It was shipped so quickly, is amazing quality, and I’m already lusting over several other pieces from the shop, like these knot earrings.
