Self-Care

SPOT and Watershed Spa

We know – you’ve got to get your mind and body right before tackling those mean streets. Indulge yourself at Nell Rueckl’s SPOT Spas in fashionable Northeast Minneapolis and on the south side of the city in Uptown. The health and wellness guru and advocate began her therapeutic and holistic trend-setting treatment centers 15 years ago, focusing on giving clients “respect and honesty”, listening to their needs and helping them on their emotional and physical journey to healing. You can learn about global body treatments like Mayan Abdominal Therapy (low back and abdomen deep massage that increases energy and blood circulation) or just get the basics like massage and skin care. But if you’re an ‘all in’ kind of adventurer, you’ll want to experience Rueckl’s latest enterprise: Watershed – an 11,000 sq. ft. commercial bath house in the former Soap Factory, an renowned Art Gallery that was once part of a turn of the 19th century flour mill. Opening this spring, Watershed features salt scrubs, steam saunas, and a cold plunge tub. “We’ve been so busy, “says Rueckl. “People are in need. That’s an important element of what keeps us going.”

Kobi Co.

Kobi Co. is known for their hand-poured, luxury candles that are paired with curated playlists for the ultimate vibes. All have elegant fragrance combinations and will look great on your shelf — they're embellished with crystals and charms. Founded in 2020 by 17-year-old Kobi Gregory, Kobi Co. started as a self-care ritual to help her cope with the stress of distance learning during the pandemic. A few months into the pandemic, Kobi's candle-pouring hobby turned into a full-scale business, so her mom Tasha Harris stepped in to secure partnerships and retail spots throughout Minneapolis. Kobi Co. just opened a storefront downtown Minneapolis, so go shop the selection of candles, sprays, bath bombs, bath salts, and gift sets!

Shopping

D. Nolo and Queen Anna House of Fashion

Minneapolis believes in Black Girl Magic. So for the ultimate in feeling good, why not shop one of the two small business that are the biggest names in local fashion – and they’re almost next door to each other! D. Nolo is a “curated” shopping experience. A collective opened in 2013 by Veronica Clark, the ultra-contemporary boutique partners with other retailers like BlueBird and Bumbershute, high-end mainstays on 50th and France Avenue, the ‘Magnificent Mile’ of the city’s south side. Clark interprets shopping as a multi-sensory experience: from high end textiles and home furnishings to the aromas and flavors of rum, wines and liquors from co-op partners next door at the Cobble Social House – just a few steps down the cobblestone alley where the basement bar hosts an eclectic ambiance that lends to a mellow vibe for socializing.

Meanwhile next door, Queen Anna invites you in for an experience in luxury. You’ll feel as if you’re the center of attention from the concierge service One Posh Closet, which is all about styling and attention to detail. Here you'll find designs for women with curves like AND COMFORT’S chic and simple ruched Tokyo Skirt (in sizes up to xxxxl) or the tiniest of accessories like Keiok’s Minimal Tear Drop Rings. Owner Nicole Jennings says Queen Anna House of Fashion was not only inspired by her Grandmother’s incredible Joie de Vive, but incredible sense of purpose. Jennings puts people helping people first and encourages all shoppers to support her philanthropic goals that give purpose and strength to the black community. This includes buying ethnic designer labels and seeking donations and volunteering resources to create equity and social justice for People of Color in Minneapolis.

Roseline's Candles

Roseline Friedrich moved to the United States at the age of 14 from Cameroon. Years later she open her first brick & mortar store in Northeast Minneapolis selling sustainable candles. She began her candle making journey when she was living the zero-waste lifestyle. It was then that she started collecting jars and other candle vessels and eventually inviting friends over for candle-making parties. Her creations grew in popularity, leading to those close to her asking for her products constantly. Friedrich was then determined to create a business selling sustainably-made candles from start to finish. Her products use 100% soy wax, are hand-poured in recycled glass jars and have cotton wicks with lead-free wick tabs. When you visit the store you'll also notice other unique gifts from mostly local vendors. Friedrich made sure to choose vendors that also focus on the mission of sustainability and is hoping that by selling these items it will allow people to think about the impact and responsibility we have to the earth. Now, you can visit Roseline's Candles in St. Paul at 1652 Grand Avenue.

Cooks | Bellecour

Take a turn through the North Loop and glide through Cooks…the iconic gourmet shop was open in 1973 by sisters Martha Kaemmer and Mary Rice who thought traditionally bland Minnesota palettes needed a culinary awakening. Two moves, four added locations and 15 pop up stores later and Cook’s is state of the art EVERYTHING: 6,000 items from baking to barware, ramekins to rolling pins, cooking classes and Crop Shares (locally sourced seasonal produce). One more thing to make you feel great: Cook’s and its vendors give a portion of its sales to initiatives that focus on hunger, children and women’s issues.

Galleries & Entertainment

Kolman & Reeb

Feeling so good, you want to remember the night forever! Art is a great way to make the memories last. So take a walk over to the center of Minneapolis’ local art scene where the Northrup King building is home to hundreds of artists and galleries, like Kolman & Reeb. Owned and curated by Anita Sue Kolman (middle) and artist Jodi Reeb (right), the veteran gallery is home to a carefully curated group of outstanding Minnesota artists in a variety of mediums: clay, oils, wood and cold wax. Their process of discovery in their work and intimate relationships with nature and the environment are key in Kolman’s ability to match with clients who are curious about our interaction with the world around us. The gallery mentors and offers grants to emerging artists, hosts open forums to boost the public’s understanding of art and collecting. Kolman has been lauded for her ability to draw out the personalities in both her artists and clients through her delightfully warm and quirky Minnesota events, like building your own dessert cupcakes while taking in an exhibition.

Gamut Gallery

In Elliot Park, the owners of Gamut Gallery emphasize collecting art and supporting artists but view their space as more of a cultural hub that brings people together and stimulates conversation. For over 10 years, owners Jade Patrick and Cassie Garner have operated on the principle of art is for everyone, bringing a wide, innovative spectrum of visual and performing artists to a neighborhood steeped in rich history, nationally known commerce, and small-town vibes. Gamut is also a retail store for local and national artists, featuring prints, ceramics, jewelry and clothing as well as the collected works of Gamut Gallery artists. Gamut also partners with women’s collective The Coven, which creates shared community workspaces and environments designed for women, non-binary and trans people that are physically and psychologically safe. Garner also takes Gamut outside of their brick-and-mortar showcasing artists she can't get enough of throughout all locations of the HAUS Salons in Minneapolis. “We really embrace our name,” says the enterprising mother of three. “We show a wide array of media, content and style… and with each idea we want to push it as far as we can. Quality is the equalizer — and a sense of innovation.”

First Avenue/7th Street Entry

Dayna Frank grew up a princess in a rock and roll kingdom – Dad Byron was the banker for the musical Mecca and helped the club take hold of its destiny as the Epicenter of Sound in the Upper Midwest. Dayna got a royal seat to witness some of the biggest names in music: U2, Chemical Brothers and The Artist Known to Put First Avenue on the Map: Prince made the club his hangout, testing ground for new music and the setting of his funk/pop/rock cult classic Purple Rain. She also learned first-hand what it took to have the survival instinct of Madonna, the fearlessness of Nina Simone and the business savvy of Rihanna. Now fully in charge, Frank has expanded First Avenue’s reach to multiple music clubs, theaters and outdoor festivals across the Twin Cities. But Dayna’s most impressive move by far was leading the call during the pandemic for Congress to pass the Save Our Stages Act, called the biggest show of federal support for arts and culture in US History. All hail the Queen.

Restaurants

A Bar of Their Own

Meet Minnesota's first sports bar dedicated exclusively to women's sports. That's right - A Bar of Their Own shows only women's sports, all the time. Founder Jillian Hiscock went to a nearby sports bar with friends to watch the University of Minnesota Gophers softball team play in the national tournament. They didn't see the game on any of the 20+ screens, which were showing everything from football to a cornhole tournament. What if fans of women's sports had a place to gather and cheer loudly for their teams on the biggest screen in the bar with the sound on? The rest is history. Hang out with other women's sports fans and cheer on your team all while enjoying an extensive craft beer selection and tasty mocktails.

Herbivorous Butcher

If you're not into cooking tonight then make your way over to Aubry Walch’s vegan butcher shop. Sounds unbelievable, especially when its owned and operated by a young woman who grew up in Guam where meat and fish are an everyday food staple. But Walch will tell you with the fervor of a southern preacher: eat less meat, cut greenhouse gas emissions and prevent an environmental catastrophe. After years of perfecting meatless alternatives, brother Kale joined in, then his wife and a friend. The collective is passionate about adding a wide range of flavors and spices to their food, especially brother Kale, a recent convert from omnivore to vegan. All foods are high in protein and B-vitamins. Aubry's plant-based meats are a way to “satisfy your hunger so you can feel really good while feeling good about eating well.” And who doesn’t feel good when you’re eating your meatless mac and cheese or filet mignon on imported Swiss plates and modern wine glasses from Washington State?

Young Joni

Young Joni is the epitome of chic Minneapolis dining. Tucked away on a quiet Northeast side street, the warm, rustic James Beard Award Winner is the jewel in the crown of restauranteur Ann Kim, a former actress who learned a thing or two about set design as well as creating great food. You can try one of the eatery’s signature pizzas like the Basque, layered with goat cheese, piquillo peppers and castelvetrano olives or the sweet and spicy pork spare ribs with Korean gochuyang BBQ sauce – a recipe that keeps her parents happy. This wildly popular restaurant is a highlight for Minneapolis foodies (did we mention the soft-serve ice cream cones?), as well as the New York Times, Esquire, and food critics across the country.

Hai Hai

Christine Nyguen’s Hai Hai is a James Beard finalist, serving up a mélange of Thai street food tastes from pan fried cod with rice noodles, peanuts and pineapple-shrimp sauce or a crispy Vietnamese crepe with pork belly and shrimp. But the real reason for the extreme popularity of the University Avenue could be in its huge roomy deck splendid with flowery table cloths and plants. Nyguen gives the locals what they love: a place to socialize and take in those wonderfully long Minneapolis summer nights. (Hai Hai is also a supporter of Minnesota Rice, which fights anti-Asian hate.)

Khâluna

Chef Ann Ahmed's award-winning restaurant Khâluna (meaning "please" in Lao) transports visitors across the ocean with its colorful array of food and dreamy interior. The soft and beachy atmosphere and Lao dishes that Khâluna is known for provides a vacation right in South Minneapolis. Ann Ahmed creates precise and imaginative Laotian cuisine, and her restaurant offers a dinner menu with small plates, entrees, and chilled plates like pineapple noodles. The cocktail menu is also critically acclaimed and drinks come spritzed with macadamia oil. Before or after meals, visit Khâluna's shop, which is stocked with fair-trade goods Ahmed imports from Laos.

Hell’s Kitchen

Head to a rocking brunch and the ultimate Bloody Mary at Hell’s Kitchen. Blues, New Folk, African Soukous, Gypsy Jazz – The Kitchen serves up fantastic local music from 10am to 1pm Saturdays and Sundays. Same ol’ eggs and toast? Not hardly. Food bloggers says the Lemon Ricotta pancakes will make you sell your soul to the Devil. Sausage Bread? Sounds weird – tastes amazing. And you can get their legendary Bad Ass Brunch packaged up and shipped anywhere in the country. Manned by owner Cynthia Gerdes, the millionaire creative kids retailer switched hats to help out her restauranteur husband Mitch. Her touch made it one of the most-booked eateries in the country and gave her “the CEO job from hell”. Mitch passed away, and in 2020, Cynthia turned Hell’s Kitchen over to its workers – and in a unique twist also became one of the employee-owners. She splits her time helping her equally creative daughter Katy Gerdes. If the name sounds familiar the junior Gerdes was a Bravo reality competition star – first on Shear Genius, then on Top Chef. She owns Angel Food Bakery in St. Louis Park and at MSP Airport

Hark! Café

A Sicilian Creole Vegan? Sounds improbable – and unheard of if you’re from Louisiana. But all is forgiven once you visit Katherine Pardue’s plant based, gluten-free spot in the legendary Knickernick Building on First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. You’ll fall hard for baker Lisa Newman’s mini Key Lime pies. Try the panelle sandwich with fried chickpeas or the dreamy bagels as big as your fist, made with cocoanut flour. But you’ll rave about their vegan, house-cured cheese because, as the college buddies and alt rock lovers say… well, it’s cheese.

The Lynhall

Anne Spaeth was walking in an English countryside when a voice said, “If you build it, they will come.” (We know that didn’t really happen, but it was pretty close.) The former Hennepin County attorney and child protection advocate decided to rest her case, and exited the courtroom to create an English food experience – with uniquely American principles. The Art of High Tea is practiced every afternoon in nearby Edina, with traditional cucumber sandwiches, mixed with prosciutto and curried salads. There’s scones, tarts and macaroons – and a bit of the bubbly, if tea doesn’t quite cut it for you. Their catering services are also frequently sought out. The drop-off style catering menu features hot and cold breakfast and lunch options, like baked goods, housemade jams, charcuterie, salads and more.

Market at Malcolm Yards

“Chefs don’t have to go into debt to build their kitchens,” says Patricia Wall, the influencer half of the real estate duo who created the food incubator. She got the fever for a food craft hall after visiting Vancouver. She convinced her husband John to travel and research what food halls could also do to rejuvenate a community. He was hooked. He had his company take another look at a 20-acre parcel of land in southeast Minneapolis that was once a 19th century railroad manufacturing company. With the help of the city, neighborhood groups and idea innovators, the Market was launched with nine micro restaurants. You can try New Orleans po' boy sandwiches or dumplings from Nepal. Or maybe a Detroit style pizza is more your style. Once your finished you can hear local music, come back for a morning yoga class or grab a group of friends for a night of Drag Trivia. There’s even a night of beer and Shakespeare, if you like hops with your Hamlet.

The Dripping Root

Catiesha Pierson, walked out of her full-time job a few years ago and started Minnesota's first and only Black-Owned cold pressed juice bar. In 2018, she gained a following after posting her juice concoctions on social media. It was then that the dream of starting a juice bar really took hold. An inspired community helped her raise money to start her business through a GoFundMe and surpassed her $70K goal. The Dripping Root is meant to have a coffee shop vibe and space for customers to feel welcome and treated with kindness. Pierson takes pride in providing a healthier juice alternative and has done extensive research to learn the benefits of different fruits and vegetables to make each drink with quality ingredients.

Breweries & Distilleries

Finnegans

Ready to finish the night feeling great? Finnegans Brew Company was created by “Rambunctious Social Entrepreneur” Jaqcuie Berglund. In 1999 Berglund teamed up with local pub legend Kieran Folliard to brew the popular caramel-tasting Irish Amber Ale. 19 years and 100 varieties later, Berglund opened her own production brewery and taproom in the Elliot Park neighborhood. You might want to try a few of Finnegan’s specialties as you relax by the fire or take in the stars in the brewhouse open courtyard – a portion of your tab goes to Finnegan’s Community Fund, fighting poverty and hunger in the Upper Midwest. Berglund has been able to raise more than $2 million dollars to the help people go to sleep at night with a full stomach.

Marigold

Marigold sells nonalcoholic spirits, wine, and beer in South Minneapolis. Erin Flavin, decided to open Marigold adjacent to her wildly successful Honeycomb Salon after making the decision to cut alcohol from her life. In conversations with clients, Flavin noticed that drinking habits turned from social and pleasurable experiences to something darker during the pandemic. So Marigold aims to provided a range of products (local and international nonalcoholic beverages) for people in various stages of sobriety. Marigold is currently a retail bottle shop, but in coming months, Flavin plans to serve drinks in the space and make it a place for events.