Contributed by Lindsay Shugerman, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

The Twin Cities are known for friendly people, great lakes (or more correctly, Great Lakes!), cheese, and of course, cold weather. Really cold weather! But it’s also a great place to do some serious shopping!


Don’t let its Midwestern location fool you. The Twin Cities are home to some great local shops! Here’s my pick for the top 10 stores (and shopping areas) you really should visit in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Mara Mi

Sometimes the outside does matter

Tell me if you recognize this scenario…you spend HOURS finding the perfect gift for someone. And then you drop your treasure into a nondescript gift bag, stuff in some tissue and call it “wrapped.” Am I right?

Have no fear…Mara Mi is there to save the day. They have the paper that makes everything better. The right small-run imported wrapping paper that exactly complements your gift. The right card stock for your invitation. The right paper for thank you notes or your desktop to-do list. You can find these princesses of paper at 201 S. Main Street in Stillwater.

50th and France

The biggest problem is deciding where to start

I have seen shopping districts in a lot of cities, and believe me, this one takes the prize for the biggest, best, most extensive and diverse of any I’ve found. There are galleries … lots of them. And boutiques. Lots of those, too. And home decor shops and shoe stores and kids’ stores and jewelers and sporting goods shops … and that’s just the beginning.

You’ll find this shopping heaven at West 50th Street and France Avenue in Edina and Minneapolis. A word of caution … this is all outdoors, so dress warm if your visit isn’t in summer!

Pink Champagne Boutique

Release your inner rock star!

Face it, ladies. Most of us have a secret fantasy of being a rock star, right? Well, what if there was a shop that let you feel as sexy and stylish as that lead singer, without looking costume-y…and without breaking the bank?

Pink Champagne Boutique at 1645 Park Place Boulevard in Saint Louis Park is just such a shop. A bit of black, a touch of bling, and a hint of sexy and you’ll leave feeling like the star you always wanted to be. Well worth the drive from midtown or the ‘burbs.

Grand Avenue

St. Paul’s premier local business district

Billed as the most “walkable” urban shopping district in the Twin Cities, Grand Avenue is home to some of St. Paul’s favorite local shops and restaurants.

Sure, there are old favorites like Patagonia and North Face (both much needed in this often chilly area). But there are also plenty of locally-owned, unique shops and boutiques offering a taste of the talents and interests of Minnesota residents.

Common Good Books

Welcome to Lake Wobegon!

Yes, this cozy and comfy bookstore is owned by radio show host Garrison Keillor. But it’s not a fan-store disguised as a bookstore. This shop at 165 Western Avenue North in St. Paul is the real thing. The walls are lined with books from floor to ceiling, the chairs are comfy and the feeling is pure Minnesota warm and welcoming.

The Knot

Local wedding vendors, national website

When you’re planning a Minneapolis-St Paul wedding, the best place to start your search for the best local wedding vendors, merchants and wedding planners is at your computer on The Knot. They have the advice and tips brides need for planning a dream-come-true day without driving all over town. You might not find this amazing resource on any street map, but trust me, it’s pure Minneapolis-St Paul wedding magic.

Add them to your Minneapolis-St. Paul shopping list…just save your visit for a quiet afternoon at home.