best gift shops in the metro

Boundary Waters-scented candles, potholders with cheeky phrases, cocktail mixes, and local candy baskets are among the treasures at this long-running gift shop, which has served the west metro since 1984. It has the vintage feel of a barn of treasures; every corner is piled with toys, throw pillows, lake-themed signs and brightly colored dinnerware. There’s even a cafe with as-Minnesota-as-it-gets creamy wild rice soup and popovers.

📍 MINNETONKA

Relationships with local artists are the core of I Like You, where makers consign their work at two shops, one in each of the Twin Cities. The treasures skew whimsical and handmade, down to the shopping bags for your purchases that come adorned with paper flowers.

It’s an especially good spot for finding gifts for babies, with loon-themed onesies, plush cat pillows, and silly books by local authors that capture Minnesota quirks. The greeting card game here is top-notch, too (e.g., “Adulthood: Where Lunchables Are Now Called Charcuteries”).

📍 MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL

This Minnesota-pride clothing brand (its signature design is two crossed paddles with M N on either side) began as a graphic design project at the U of M Duluth. It now offers all manner of slick and stylish Minnesota-themed apparel and gear — even a canoe! For Minnesota-adjacent gifts such as cookbooks, puzzles and candles, look no further.

📍 ST. LOUIS PARK & STILLWATER