Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are just two weeks away. It’s probably too late to buy anything online, but there’s still plenty of time to shop at a locally-owned business in your neighborhood.
This local gift guide will steer you in the right direction. It’s organized by genre of gift recipient to help you pick out the perfect gift for your loved ones.
Downtown Voices has also put together a roundup of holiday pop-up markets, where you can also find unique gifts from local businesses, so scope that out too.
Worst comes to worst, purchase a gift card from any downtown Minneapolis business, whether it’s mentioned in this list or not. That might sound kind of boring, but gift cards offer some freedom to choose, which can be the best option for gift-giving since they’re almost guaranteed to be used and appreciated. A friend who works remotely would enjoy a gift card to their favorite coffee shop as an escape from their home office, and a relative who regularly goes into the office would eat up a gift card to their go-to skyway lunch spot. Plus, businesses love selling gift cards since they're guaranteed revenue, and now is a good time to get deals on them.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A BOOKWORM…
Strive Bookstore – 901 Nicollet Mall
Located in the historic Young-Quinlan Building, Strive Bookstore supports independent publishers and local authors, with an emphasis on books that amplify Black voices.
Open Book – 1011 Washington Ave. S
There are two bookstores on the ground floor of Open Book. The Shop at Minnesota Center for Book Arts offers an array of bookish gifts, cards, handcrafted journals and paper, artists’ books, prints, art supplies, books, and more. Milkweed Books sells literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from independent publisher Milkweed Editions.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A FASHIONISTA…
Hermine – 323 N. First Ave.
A new, upscale vintage shop in the Warehouse District that carries fashion-forward clothing and accessories for both men and women, as well as some home decor.
Martin Patrick 3 – 212 N. 3rd Ave.
A unique, sophisticated men's store with stylish apparel and furniture, plus apothecary items and gifts.
Moth Oddities – 13 Fifth St. NE
A vintage shop that specializes in curated clothing and accessories from the '50s to '90s.
Jaxen Grey – 226 N. Washington Ave.
A men's boutique in the North Loop.
Olio Vintage – 21 Fifth St. NE
A unique collective of specialty vintage retailers under one roof.
The Golden Pearl Vintage – 507 E. Hennepin Ave.
A clothing and accessories boutique that specializes in men's and women's fineries from the 1920's through the 1990's.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A COFFEE-LOVER...
FRGMNT Coffee – 729 N. Washington Ave., 43 SE Main St., and 1011 S. Washington Ave.
A multi-roaster cafe with multiple locations in downtown Minneapolis.
Vitality Coffee Roasters – 601 S. Marquette Ave.
A female-operated specialty coffee roastery that got its start in St. Paul and opened its first cafe in the downtown skyway.
Backstory Coffee Roasters – 528 N. Washington Ave.
A specialty coffee roasting company based in St. Paul with a very popular North Loop cafe.
Hola Coffee – 326 Central Ave. SE
A new, Latina-owned cafe that sells specialty drinks, coffee beans, and Boludo empanadas.
SK Coffee – 50 South Sixth St.
A St. Paul-based specialty roaster that explores unique and rare single-origin coffee.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR SOMEONE WITH A SWEET TOOTH…
Candyland – 27 S. Seventh St.
An old-school confectionery offering homemade chocolates, popcorn, and sweets.
Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Cafe – 306 E. Hennepin Ave.
A cafe that sells homestyle ice cream, specialty coffee drinks, and pastries.
Mother Dough Bakery – 225 S. Sixth St. and 205 Park Ave.
A Fhima family-owned cafe that makes breads and pastries, including macrons, from scratch.
Cardigan Donuts – 40 S. Seventh St. and 80 S. Eighth St.
Handcrafted doughnuts and coffee.
Treats Cereal Bar & Boba – 314 N. Second St.
Cereal-infused ice cream treats and refreshing boba drinks.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A WINO….
Surdyk’s – 303 E. Hennepin Ave.
The family-owned liquor store that's been in business for 90 years.
Haskell’s – 81 S. Ninth St.
One of downtown's longest-standing retailers known for its expert staff.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A GAMER…
Level Up Games – 1425 Lasalle Ave.
Find games of all kinds, from video to tabletop, as well as comics, graphic novels, and trading cards.
IF YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR AN ECCENTRIC:
Twelve Vultures – 507 E. Hennepin Ave.
A self-described "curiosity shop" offering oddities such as taxidermy, natural history specimens, and skulls, in addition to regular antiques.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A SELF-CARE QUEEN…
Kobi Co. – 48 S. Ninth St.
An intergenerational Black woman-owned business that sells candles, bath bombs, sprays, gift sets, and accessories.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR A HOMEBODY…
Story & Teller – 316 N. Second St.
A woman-owned home and lifestyle boutique offering hand-selected items from small, diverse producers and interior-styling services.
