food & drink

Minnesota has birthed its fair share of food-world heavyweights, including SPAM, the cult-favorite pork brick adored globally; Pearson’s addictive Salted Nut Rolls; and JonnyPops’ rainbow-hued frozen treats. Add Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Totino’s, Old Dutch, Red Baron, T. Rex Cookies, and Land O’Lakes to the list, and you’ve got a pantry full of household names.

But locals also rally behind a thriving ecosystem of small-batch, family-run producers — many of whom got their start in home kitchens and garages. 

home decor & furniture 

Peek inside any Minnesotan home and there’s a good chance you’ll spot furniture, blankets, or pillows from one of three major players: Blu Dot, Room & Board, or Faribault Woolen Mills. While these are Minnesota Hall of Famers when it comes to interior design, the state has plenty of smaller, homegrown brands to help you zhuzh up your place.

Find a sampling of local furniture makers, lighting designers, ceramicists, broomsquires, and more items that are great for housewarming gifts and for those watching HGTV 24/7.

clothing & accessories 

Minnesota holds its own on the style front — and not solely for its heritage-inspired apparel brands. Sure, Askov Finlayson made a big splash with its “Keep the North Cold” campaign, blending climate activism with Nordic-cool outerwear. And yes, you should probably own a pair of lumberjack-tough Red Wing boots or hand-sewn Steger Mukluks by now.

But there’s a lot more good-looking gear where those classics came from. Surprise that fashion-forward person this season with one of these clothing and jewelry designers, cobblers, milliners, and more.

toys & gifts for kids 

Nerf footballs, Cootie bugs, Gumby and Pokey bendables, and other beloved toys and games trace their origins to Minnesota. Tonka Toys (née Mound Metalcraft), maker of the world’s most famous yellow dump truck, was founded in the 1940s in Mound, MN and later acquired by Hasbro. The once-scandalous party game Twister — originally named Pretzel and sold to Milton Bradley before eventually gaining entry to the National Toy Hall of Fame — was invented in St. Paul. And that’s to say nothing of behemoth transplants like Manhattan Toy, which relocated from NYC, and Jellycat, a British subsidiary, that have set up shop in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Look no further for more Minnesota-based toymakers, game designers, and artisans whose delightful products inspire imagination and foster out-of-the-box thinking for children and adults alike.

🌟 Find official Star of the North gear and goods >>

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🌟 Get ideas for a Minnesota-themed gift basket from Minnesotans >>