Photo by Stephanie Colgan
The little-city-by-the-river has been an antiquarian’s stomping ground for decades, but it is a crop of hip retailers that’s currently feeding our shopping need.
June 2008
By Melissa Colgan
 Sweet-tooth satisfiers at Tremblay’s Sweet Shop. |
There’s no better cure for the cooped-up blues than hitting some of our area’s best day-trip destinations. From shopping boutique-lined streets to tasty bites at one-of-a-kind restaurants, our editors will be bringing you the best destination spots to shop.
Our first stop is gorgeous Stillwater. Nestled along the St. Croix River, its picturesque Main Street has seen a recent injection of on-trend boutiques and hip home décor stores that are attracting more than just collectors.
Best of the Boutiques
Stillwater has had an influx of fashion boutiques the past few years. Stella shines with premium denim for men and women (Joe’s, Citizens of Humanity) as well as designer separates, accessories, and a smattering of apothecary.
The vintage-charm interior and second-story location is an ideal setting for Collaborations’s offerings of designer jeans, vintage-inspired lingerie, and separates by BB Dakota, Kenzie, and Tulle.
While it may be best known for its vintage furniture and rows of buttons, ribbons, and pretty papers, Rose Mille is also stocked with coats, dresses, and tops with a distinctive haute bohemian feel.
 Finding the perfect stuffed specimen is easy at Red Rover Kids. |
For children, Red Rover Kids is filled with things the little ones will love, including plenty of nursery gifts, toys, and baby gear, while Doozie and Oh–Sus–Anna offer pint-sized fashion statements.
For the tots, check out Kmitsch Girls for toys from around the world, including dolls and unusual objects from the Orient. Or shop for the home—there’s a surprising amount of (really good) furniture and accessories from Indonesia, India, and Tibet.
Paper lovers must not miss Pulp Fashion. More than half of the goods are made by Gartner Studios (paper provider for mass merchants including Target), but you’ll also find pens, picture frames, and specialty papers from around the world. Plus, the back of the store houses a wedding room where every conceivable customization can be made—and where the men and children can comfortably hang out.
| More to Love
Kathe Wohlfahrt for German-style nutcrackers, smoking men, hand-painted ornaments, and music boxes. Katydids for fun jewelry and casual separates. Wisteria Gifts & More for garden accents. Raffine Bridal for moderately priced, stylish bridal, attendant, and flower girl gowns. Our Shop for classic dresses for the bride-to-be. 45 Degrees for stay-warm outerwear, active gear, and camping essentials. Primitive Blessings for mostly locally made rustic wood furnishings, decorative carved signs, art, and gifts. Art n’ Soul for beads, stones, and all the supplies for jewelry making. |
 Vintage glazed cookie jars with just the right amount of kitsch. |
The Home Front
Stillwater was officially put on the home décor map when interior designer Jeff Schreier moved his design practice and store to town. Schreier Home is one of the strongest freestanding design stores for miles–with furniture, lighting, and home accents by Baker, Century, and EJ Victor, as well as a signature upholstery line.
For more casual home and garden pieces with a polished shabby-chic feel, Alfresco Casual Living offers summery décor, including bright pieces by Maine Cottage.
But no store embraces the cottage lifestyle better than Autumn Cottage. Find furniture and home décor by Relics, the St. Croix Collection, and Vermont Tubbs, plus an expanding Autumn Cottage Kids brand with furniture and items for infants.
From cookware, utensils, and gadgets to gourmet food and a state-of-the-art teaching facility, The Chef’s Gallery will satiate all of your culinary desires.
 Vintage LPs at The Mill Antiques. |
The Best Antiques
Of course, you can’t go to Stillwater without seeing some antiques. American Gothic’s well-rounded selection includes furniture, pottery, knickknacks, and jewelry with plenty of deals to be found; Midtown Antique Mall has a mind-boggling amount of furniture and architectural salvage on its third floor; and The Mill Antiques is great for textiles, pottery, primatives, and fine glass. But Stillwater Antiques is still considered by many to be the best with a possibility of finding something special and rare among the mass of furniture, china, books, vintage clothing, jewelry, sports collectibles, toys, paintings, and more.
 Soaking up the sun and sipping a beer on the patio at the Freight House. |
Dining Delights
If all of the shopping’s made you a bit hungry, Stillwater is home to a slew of locally owned eateries. For a quick wine-and-cheese fix, Cesare’s offers a full menu of light eats as well as a wine bar. Or stop into Lily’s Grill & Malt Shop for a burger, fries, and a shake. If you prefer to sit and be served, Savories Bistro has a nice selection of salads and light entrées while the Freight House offers some heartier fare and Stone’s has a great happy hour menu. Finish it off with a taste of something sweet such as peanut brittle from Tremblay’s Sweet Shop or mouth-watering chocolate from Barbara Ann’s Fudge Shop.
WHERE TO FIND IT:
1. 45 Degrees 209 S. Main St., 651-430-3609
2. Alfresco Casual Living 321 S. Main St., 651-439-0814
3. American Gothic Antiques 236 S. Main St., 651-439-7709
4. Art N’ Soul 202 S. Main St., 651-275-0255
5. Autumn Cottage 229 S. Main St., 651-275-1333
6. Barbara Ann’s Fudge Shop 317 S. Main St., 651-430-2071
7. Cesare’s Wine Bar 102 S. 2nd St., 651-439-1352
8. The Chef’s Gallery 324 S. Main St., 651-351-1144
9. Collaborations Boutique 129-1/2 S. Main St., 651-430-9100
10. Doozie Chic Boutique 402 S. Main St., 651-430-3201
11. Freight House Restaurant 305 S. Water St., 651-439-5718
12. Kathe Wohlfahrt of America 129 S. Main St., 651-275-1072
13. Katydids 113 S. Main St., 651-439-0166
14. Kmitsch Girls 214 S. Main St., 651-430-1827
15. Lily’s Grill & Malt Shop 131 S. Main St., 651-351-3943
16. The Mill Antiques 410 N. Main St., 651-430-1816
17. Midtown Antique Mall 301 S. Main St. 651-430-0808
18. Oh-Sus-Anna 402 N. Main St., 651-430-3873
19. Our Shop 421 S. Main St., 651-351-1087
20. Primitive Blessings 229 E. Chestnut St., 651-351-0614
21. Pulp Fashion 102 N. Main St., 651-439-7148
22. Raffine Bridal 200 E. Chestnut St., Ste. 103, 651-430-0990
23. Red Rover Kids 421 S. Main St., 651-351-7711
24. Rose Mille 125 S. Main St., 651-439-0205
25. Savories Bistro 108 N. Main St., 651-430-0702
26. Schreier Home 124 S. 2nd St., 651-426-8428
27. Stella 216 S. Main St., 651-439-7935
28. Stillwater Antiques 101 S. Main St., 651-439-6281
29. Stone’s 324 S. Main St., 651-439-1900
30. Tremblay’s Sweet Shop 308 S. Main St., 651-430-0087
31. Wisteria Gifts & More 223 S. Main St., 651-275-9288 |
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