UPDATE: Now through 4/10, Gov. Walz has declared a stay-at-home order, which means retailers can no longer offer curbside pickup or private appointments. Online shopping and gift cards are still available.
Note, this post is being updated continually as new information emerges. Sign up at the bottom of this post with your email for updates.
These are strange and anxious times for us all, but especially for those who work in the service industry. A lot has changed in a week as the reality of the coronavirus COVID19 pandemic set in—all local shopping events for the foreseeable future have been canceled, and local retailers, restaurants, artists and performers, and other small businesses are starting to feel the strain caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Here are some ways you can help out:
Shop online + virtually. Even if they don’t have an online store, many stores offer delivery (many offering free and same-day local delivery). Many shops and makers are also hosting virtual shopping events on their Instagram story. (More on those below.)
Buy a gift card to use later. This will help stores stay on their feet now, and you can wait to shop until it’s nicer outside.
Make a social post & leave positive reviews. Show your support and spread the love any way you can!
All salons and beauty studios will be closed until May 2. Support them by purchasing a gift card, booking your next appointment, and shopping products from their e-commerce stores.
See special offers, deals and more ways local retailers and makers are reacting to the coronavirus below:
VIRTUAL SHOPPING & STYLE EVENTS:
For the next three Fridays, Springboard for the Arts is partnering with the American Craft Council, CERFplus, and the Society of North American Goldsmiths to present Innovation in the Face of Adversity, a series of webinars from artists and makers for our times. Registration is now open at Eventbrite.
Monthly vintage pop-up Minneapolis Vintage Market is hosting daily virtual sales from a different vintage vendor each day. Shop from the safety of your couch on their Instagram story @mplsvintagemkt daily beginning at noon.
In the wake of the outbreak, a group of local and national makers joined forces to create the Virtual Makers Collective. The collective is made up of (mostly) local womxn artists and makers offering unique, handmade items. How it works: Participating local artists include A MANO ceramics, nestPURE handbags, Mezamé Designs, Jovy Rockey Jewelry, Moxie Malas, Marisa Martinez Jewelry, ROMI Apothecary and more. The group plans to host a virtual event every Sunday afternoon starting at 10am for 24 hours. Follow them at @virtualmakerscollective on Instagram or @VirtualMakersCollective on Facebook to learn more.
GIVEAWAY: Minneapolis lighting and glass maker Hennepin Made is giving away $1k in handmade lighting from its online store via its Instagram, @hennepinmade. To enter, fill in the form linked at its Instagram bio. Contest ends 4/5.
Want to get a mask to protect yourself without taking needed supplies away from medical professionals? Local maker Winsome Goods is making and selling masks for $15 (shipped free) made from deadstock cotton fabric. For every mask sold, they will donate a mask to medical and service professionals in need at winsomegoods.com. You can also donate without buying a mask. While you're on the site, be sure to check out the brand's collection of sustainable apparel and receive free shipping on all orders.
GIFT CARD INCENTIVES, DEALS, FREE SHIPPING & MORE:
Many local retailers are offering special incentives to encourage people to shop—and new ways to shop, like virtual personal shopping appointments. Here’s a roundup that I will continue to update as news is announced:
1004 Designs is offering 75% off (!!!) its Fall/Winter 2019 collection of hand-knit apparel and accessories, plus free shipping, with code STAYHOME at 1004designs.com.
Alora Ambiance, a Minneapolis-based fragrance brand, is offering 25% off .8-oz. diffusers all month at www.aloraambiance.com with code SPRING
Al’s Tailoring is offering 15% off all handmade goods at alstailoring.com with code FRANDZ
Amani’s Fashions is donating 100% of all online sales during the month of April to a local food shelf. Shop via amanisfashions.com.
A MANO Ceramics is offering free shipping on all orders over $50 at www.weshopamano.com with code SHIPPINGLOVE
Angela Valentine Handbags: Save 40% sitewide from the local handbag brand through 3/3 1at angelavalentinehandbags.com with code SPRING
Atelier957 is offering 20% off sitewide for a limited time at atelier957.com (no code needed). VIrtual styling sessions are also available.
Bluebird Boutique in Edina is offering 20% off everything online at bluebirdboutique.com (no code needed; discount added at checkout). It’s also running a gift card special: Get a $125 gift card for $100, $250 for $200, and $375 for $300.
Brow Chic (where I get my eyelash extensions done!) is offering 10% off gift cards for use when they reopen on May 2 at browchic.com.
Cake Plus-Size Resale is updating its online shop and offering virtual style sessions at cakeplussize.com.
Covered is available for virtual shopping appointments and offering free shipping. Find them on Instagram @covereduptown.
Local brand De Nova is offering 20% off its luxe robes (great for lounging around the house) with code BETTERTOGETHER at mydenova.com.
Duke Albert is offering free shipping and free same-day local delivery on all orders at dukealbert.com
dugo is gifting an extra $25 credit when you buy a $100 gift card, available on their website at dressupgoout.com/collections/gift-cards.
EC Design is offering 40% off all in-stock rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets with code DDSALE40% (Rings can be sized for an additional fee.) Ends 4/5 at ecdesignstudios.com.
Minneapolis beauty company Essence One recently rushed a new hand sanitizer product into production with an alcohol content of 70%, per CDC recommendations. It also includes Aloe Vera, essential oils and Vitamin E and comes in three scents: Lavender, Morning Calm—a mint and patchouli blend, and Energy—a citrus blend. It sells for $12, or three bottles for $32, now available at essenceone.life.
Everthine Jewelry is offering free shipping with code FREESHIPPING at everthinejewelry.com.
Filigree Jewelers is offering 15% off sitewide plus free shipping with code SALE15 at checkout through 4/3 at filigreejewelers.com.
The Fitting Room is offering a free $20 gift card for every $100 gift card purchase made online via thefittingroommpls.com. You can also make a virtual shopping appointment.
Flirt Boutique recently launched an online shop through Stephanie’s boutique in St. Paul, stephaniesshop.com/flirt, to make it easier to shop its luxe lingerie and loungewear. (Plus: Free shipping!)
Goldfine Jewelry is offering 30% off sitewide plus free shipping through the end of the day Wednesday, 4/1. Also on Wednesday, the brand is kicking off a partnership with Loaves & Fishes to donate 20% of all online sales for the month of April. Shop online at goldfine-jewelry.com.
From Grasse with Love—a French-crafted, locally-based fragrance label—is offering 20% off its calming lavender fragrance collection, Fleur de Lavande, as well as all personal-size fragrances at grassewithlove.com.
Golden Age Design is offering free shipping on all orders (excludes furniture) at goldenagedesign.com.
The Golden Pearl Vintage recently launched an online shop for its vintage goods at thegoldenpearlvintage.com.
Golden Rule is offering a series of one-day-only promos in the coming weeks Visit @goldenrulegallery on Instagram for daily deals. Plus each day, save an extra 30% on sale items for a limited time with code SPRINGCLEANING at shopgoldenrule.com.
Grethen House has just taken new markdowns on spring arrivals, from 20 to 80 to percent off. Plus, get an additional $25 gift card to use when stores reopen when you buy $100 in gift cards now at grethenhouse.com, virtual style sessions and free same-day local delivery.
Hackwith Design House is offering a 30% off promo code for its collection of sustainable shoes for Dr. Scholl's with code HACKWITH30FS at drschollsshoes.com.
Hazel & Rose is offering a free $15 gift card and free shipping for every $100 spent through March at shophazelandrose.com, plus an extra 25% off sale items with code SAFERATHOME
Hemlocks Leatherworks is offering 20% off and free shipping on everything at hemlocksleather.com with code “2020”. Looking for something to keep your hands busy? The maker has launched a stitch-your-own wallet kit for a leather clutch. It comes with everything you need including a digital instructional booklet, at a discounted price of $38 via hemlocksleather.com.
Holistic Purity CBD is offering 20% off all CBD products from the local brand at holisticpurity.com with promo code CORONA
Idun boutique in St. Paul is offering free shipping online at shopidun.com., plus save 20% on KAMM pants with code KAMMPANTS20
Jac & Violet jewelry is donating 50% of all online orders to Second Harvest Heartland. Shop at jacandviolet.com.
June Resale is loading up its online store and offering free shipping online at juneresale.com with code SOCIALDISTANCE
Kisa Boutique is offering free shipping on orders over $100 via its online store kisaboutique.com, plus Kisa Turkish towels on sale for $25 each.
Larissa Loden Jewelry has restocked her quarantine jewelry craft kits and is offering free shipping all month at larissaloden.com.
Local Motion Boutique is showcasing spring fashions on Facebook and Instagram Live in styled segments two times a week on an ongoing basis @localmotionboutique and @mplsboutique, so you can support local shopping from home. The store is also offering $5 flat-rate shipping and personal delivery of orders over $500 via localmotionboutique.shop.
Lula Vintage Wear is offering virtual shopping via its Etsy store.
MartinPatrick3 is offering 25% off on everything (including gift cards). Shop via virtual personal shopping services, phone calls or DMs at @martinpatrick3.
Mille is offering 25% off all in-stock pieces at shopmille.com with code ATHOME, plus the shop is donating $20 from each sale of its signature sweatshirt to a local food bank in your area. (Sweatshirt sales not included in 25% off discount.)
My Sister’s Closet recently launched an online store. Shop it at my-sister-s-closet-mpls.myshopify.com.
Neal Jewelry is offering free shipping plus 25% off ready-to-ship jewelry (excluding fine jewelry) with code BEWELL at nealjewelry.com.
Noisy Eye Vintage is offering 20% off all pieces in their Etsy store, etsy.com/shop/noisyeyevintage.
Parc is offering free shipping on all orders at parcboutique.com.
Pharmacie gift shop and menswear store is offering free shipping with code SOCIALDISTANCE via pharmaciempls.com.
Children’s clothing brand pip & pal is offering a free $20 gift card when you spend $100 at pipandpal.com.
Proper is offering free shipping through 4/13 at proper-shops.com.
Now you can shop all of your favorite Queen Anna fashions directly from your phone. Download the Queen Anna Fashion app for iOS or Android and enjoy special savings for first-time customers, and take advantage of virtual styling services. Plus, get free shipping and free returns. Download the app here or shop online at queenanna.co.
Now might be a good time to inventory your stuff since many people are WFH. Repair Lair, a locally owned shop that fixes and consigns outdoor gear and apparel, has closed its shop and moved to accepting mail-in repairs. Send in your rain jackets, down winter parkas, wool socks and hiking boots–right in time for all those secluded outdoor excursions we’re going to be taking to get some fresh air in the coming month(s). The store will also be ramping up its online presence at www.repairlair.com. Questions? Email therepairlair@gmail.com.
Requisite North Loop has extended its 20% off sale on all full-price items through 4/10. Plus, get an extra 20% value on any gift card purchase. (Note, promos cannot be combined.) Shop virtually at @requisitenorthloop on IG; DM or call/text 612-840-7339 to order.
Roe Wolfe is available for virtual shopping on social or FaceTime, and offering a special gift card promo: $10 bonus on $50 gift cards, and $25 bonus on $100 gift cards.
Stephanie Lake Design is offering complimentary door-to-door delivery, free domestic shipping, and gift certificates in any amount, now offered at a buy one, get one 50% off discount. The jewelry designer is also offering VIP services including jewelry repair and customization for customer-owned jewelry. Shop online at www.stephanielakedesign.com. You can also shop her annual wardrobe and household edit, featuring distinct and designer items priced at 80–95% off retail on her Facebook page.
Stephanie’s is donating 20% of its sales from April 1–7 to St. Paul–based clothing manufacturer, Clothier Design Source, for production of masks for local hospital workers. Plus, get free shipping on orders at stephaniesshop.com over $50 with code FREESHIP
SPF clothing brand Sun50 is offering 25% on all clothing for the month of April with promo code WECARE25 at sun50.co. Plus, Sun50 will donate 10% of all promo sales directly to its food bank partners like Second Harvest Heartland.
Tessa Louise is offering 30% off all items from its online shop at tessalouise.com with code SHOPSMALL
Up Six Vintage is selling curated swag bags of vintage goodies at a discounted price on its IG feed @upsixvintage, plus it’s adding new items to its new Etsy store daily at etsy.com/shop/UpSixVintage.
Local maker United Goods has dropped price on select items, like its First Avenue candles, plus is offering free shipping with code SAFETYFIRST at unitedgoodsusa.com.
WAY the Label is offering an additional 25% off sitewide and free shipping with code SHOPLOCAL at waythelabel.com.
Via’s Vintage is shoppable via its Instagram feed, @viasvintage.
Got something to add? Email me at jahna.peloquin@gmail.com!