This past Sunday in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, another black man named Daunte Wright was killed by police during a traffic stop over an air freshener and expired tabs. He was 20 years old and leaves behind a baby who will grow up without him. He was shot dead in the street at 1:47pm and left there for hours.
Police violence against Black people is an epidemic and I believe we need to work toward creating a new public safety system. In the meantime, here are some ways you can help:
WHERE TO DONATE?
DONATE TO THE WRIGHT FAMILY:
Cash App: $HUBBY98 (Daunte’s mother Chyna's direct Cash app).
Monetary & non-monetary donations for Daunte Wright’s son and girlfriend: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNkyQbJHoWM/
Daunte’s Funder & Burial Cost GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Dauntes-funeral-and-burial-cost
The Daunte Wright Sr. Memorial Fund GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dauntewright
DONATE TO THE COMMUNITY:
Brooklyn Center is a food desert, and the community has been traumatized by this event. Here’s how to help:
Brooklyn Center Mutual Aid: Support Our Community GoFundMe, hosted by community organizer Paige Ingram: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brooklyn-center-mutual-aid-support-our-community
Rebuilding Brooklyn Center’s Small Businesses GoFundMe hosted by MN Teen Activists nonprofit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuilding-brooklyn-centers-small-businesses
Student & Family Support for Brooklyn Center schools GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brooklyn-center-school-dist-students-and-families
More ways to help the Brooklyn Center community, via Sahan Journal: https://sahanjournal.com/helping-out/how-to-help-brooklyn-center-daunte-wright/
DONATE TO BAIL FUNDS:
Minnesota Freedom Fund is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for bail for protestors. Donate at https://mnfreedomfund.org/donate.
DONATE TO INDEPENDENT NEWS OUTLETS:
Unicorn Riot has been doing on-the-street reporting throughout the past year and offer an unfiltered look inside the protests. They’re a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donate here: https://unicornriot.ninja/
Sahan Journal is an independent, 501c3 nonprofit digital newsroom dedicated to providing authentic news reporting for and about immigrants and communities of color in Minnesota. Donate here: https://sahanjournal.com/about-sahan-journal/
LEARN MORE:
MPD150.com is a great resource to learn how a police-free city is possible.
Community Commons at Mall of America. (Image courtesy Mall of America)
NEW THIS WEEK:
Community Commons Grand Reopening at Mall of America: Last fall, the Mall of America debuted Community Commons, a new, rent-free space dedicated to businesses struggling due to the pandemic or displaced due to civil unrest over the summer. Following its first run, the store has reopened with a fresh mix of local businesses owned by people of color. New vendors include Arway Bags, clothing brand Love Disorder, Bogaballoons, Silk Road Wellness, LEVELS apparel and more. The storefront is also acting as a launching pad for some brands—Herbal Alchemy, a former Community Commons vendor, has just opened its own storefront. Community Commons is now open at Level 2, South, Mall of America, Bloomington, mallofamerica.com/directory/communitycommons
Now open: Herbal Alchemy
Minnesota-based, Asian-owned skincare brand Herbal Alchemy has opened its very own store at Mall of America. Founder Phoebe Nguyen started developing natural skincare products to care for her child after a bad reaction to a bubble bath. She now creates nature-based, advanced treatment formulas that draw on the Easter and Western philosophies of traditional healing. Now open @ Mall of America, Second Floor West, Bloomington, www.herbalalchemyshop.com
Now open: Homespun MN Maker Market
Following a holiday stint at a pop-up, Minnesota-made retailer Homespun MN has opened a permanent location at Ridgedale Center. Shop handmade goods from over 80 local makers, including designer Christopher Straub of Project Runway fame, who will have his kids’ books, plush toys, pins, stickers and leather bags for sale. Now open @ 2nd floor overlooking the center court, Ridgedale Center, 12401 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka, homespunmn.myshopify.com
HAUS Salon goes green
Hair salons are a major contributor to global warming, creating 877 pounds of waste every single minute. That’s why a Canadian organization called Green Circle Salons is helping salons across North America make less harmful choices. Minneapolis salon, HAUS, has just announced its new partnership with the organization to help it divert up to 95% of its beauty waste—just in time for Earth Month.. The salon is now able to separate send salon-specific waste such as foils, hair clippings, hair color and wax strips to recycling facilities that repurpose them. HAUS is also offering even more in-salon recycling. To make this type of recycling possible, HAUS services will now include an Environmental Stewardship Fee (ESF) of $3 per visit. Learn more & book your appointment at haussalon.com
NEW: Upcycling workshops from ReThink Tailoring
If you have a sewing project pile at home that keeps getting bigger, conquer the pile by learning some new upcycling and sewing techniques from ReThink Tailoring. Bring in a pile of your projects, and ReThink owner Kristen will help you turn your ideas into reality. The workshop is available at a two-person class (masked and socially distanced). Class includes all materials needed. Sign up & learn about more sewing workshops @ store.rethinktailoring.com/shop/classes/23
THURSDAY:
New Alice Riot Scarves Launch
Local brand Alice Riot is rolling out their latest artist collaboration with San Diego–based, French/Afghan artist Manaz Raiszadeh. Artwork from her painting, “Cutie in QT,” will be featured on Alice Riot’s 100% hand-rolled Italian silk scarves and numbered, limited-edition prints. A new small scarf design by Alice Riot co-founder and artist Kate Iverson is also launching Thursday. Pre-order now @ aliceriot.com
Darning 101 with An Upcycled Closet
Learn the beginner basics to preparing your mend, fixing your garment using the Swiss darning method and look stylish with this virtual class from An Upcycled Closet’s Lauren Callis. Darning is possible on knit garments such as socks, sweaters or blankets. Class costs $40 per person and includes a kit with everything you need in advance of the class. Thursday from 6–8pm. Register at https://anupcycledcloset.com/pages/calendar
SATURDAY:
Stephanie Dillon Art introduces Citizen-T Project
The Citizen-T Project is a “next-to-nothing carbon fashion line” by local painter Stephanie Dillon, featuring materials sourced from landfills, thrift stores and closets that brings art, charity, fashion and humanity together. The artist celebrates the launch of the new line with this launch event, where you can shop the new apparel line along with jewelry from local brands Bold Soul Designs and Realia by Jen. You can also shop the collection online at https://citizen-t.com. Saturday from 10am–3pm @ 1651 Park Place Blvd, Minneapolis, https://www.facebook.com/events/1133124507132167/
Singing the Hues: A Roho Collective Art Heals Event
In response to community trauma responses to the current trial of police and disturbing reliving of disrupting images and testimonies in the Derek Chauvin trial and the police killing of Daunte Wright, local art group Roho Collective is focusing on healing through art and expression that will expand conversation and critical thinking. This week, the collective will be showing some of their artists’ works for purchase, including TaCoumba Aiken, Ron Brown and Barbara Thomas, at North Loop store MartinPatrick3. On Saturday, several Roho artists will appear in person for live poetry, music and art making. Saturday form noon–6pm @ MartinPatrick, 212 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis, https://www.facebook.com/The-Roho-Collective-105076738045160
Lindsey Ries Studio Trunk Show
Head to The Fitting Room boutique for a jewelry pop-up with local maker Lindsey Ries, who’ll be bringing along her fun, bright, candy-colored spring collection of earrings. Saturday from noon–5pm @ The Fitting Room, 316 W 38th St, Minneapolis, thefittingroommpls.com
Strey Collective Makers Mini-Series
Local fashion makers cooperative, Strey Collective, is hosting a series of in-person events over the next couple of months at its Northrup King studio during Open Saturdays at the building. First up is a DIY leather wallet project class with Strey Designs and custom jewelry process with Vikse Designs, who will walk through her custom jewelry process and how she cuts stones. The event is free to attend, but $40 to participate in the wallet-making class. Saturday noon–4pm @ Strey Collective, 1500 Jackson St NE #179, Minneapolis. Learn more about this and upcoming events at www.instagram.com/streycollective
SUNDAY:
Earth Day Clothing Swap
In honor of Earth Day, LiveTV Events invites you to finish your spring cleaning by bringing your old, gently used clothes to this free, local clothing swap. There will also be an art gallery on view, and a price for the best upcycled look. All genders and sizes welcome. There will be COVID precautions in place. Sunday from 11am–3pm @ Creator's Space - Flow Studio, 218 7th St E, St. Paul. Learn more and register @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-day-clothing-swap-tickets-149394381617
ENDS SUNDAY:
Bunny Days at Grethen House
The designer retailer’s annual Bunny Days event is back. How it works: Get a scratch-off card at either location and bring your items up to the register. Then scratch off your card to receive your discount of 20 to 50% off. Online, you can take 20% off any purchase beginning Saturday; the 20% off sale continues through April 18 online. Ends 4/18 @ Grethen House North Loop (212 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis) and 50th & France (4930 France Ave S, Edina), grethenhouse.com
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE:
Tickets are now on sale for select Fashion Week MN Spring 2021 events (4/28–5/1), including EVOLVE Fashion Show, the closing event of Fashion Week MN’s spring season, presented by The Fitting Room. Get tickets at fashionweekmn.com
CONTINUING:
Now open: Leo Footwear
Two neighboring Selby & Snelling shop owners have come together to found a new shoe boutique with a sustainable focus. Leo Footwear was the brainchild of Kristie Case of Teeny Bee Boutique/Peregrine Kidswear, and Jill Erickson of women’s sustainable fashion shop, Spoils of Wear. The new footwear shop is located just a couple of storefronts down from Teeny Bee and features Brooklyn-based shoemakers Stivali and the Spanish artisan–made Pons Arvacas. You can also shop the store online. Now open @ 1554 Selby Ave, St Paul, leofootwearstpaul.com. For updates and hours, follow @leofootwearstpaul on Instagram.
Now open: Scout at Nolan Mains
The St. Paul men’s apparel and gift boutique has just opened a second location at Nolan Mains at 50th & France. The queer-owned, “planet-positive” shop carries a variety of casual, outdoorsy brands with a focus on eco-conscious materials and manufacturers. Now open @ 3927 Market St, Edina, www.scoutstp.com. Hours: Monday–Saturday 10am–7pm, Sunday 11am–5pm.
Noodle Earring Restock from Larissa Loden x Ashley Mary
Local jewelry maker Larissa Loden has restocked its fun collab with local artist Ashley Mary. The Noodle Earring is made of custom-cut UV-printed acrylic in three dual colorways that you can wear as a matching set—or mix-and-match. Now available @ larissaloden.com
Minny & Paul Spring 2021 Collection
The local gift box brand has just launched three new boxes for spring inspired by longer days, outdoor strolls and budding flora. Each box is filled with a variety of goodies from Minnesota makers, like Fair Trade coffee, honey and caramel treats, SPF skincare and artisan teas. Now available @ minnyandpaul.com
Arc’s Value Village Ambassador Pop-up
Every month, one of Arc’s Ambassadors will be popping up with a themed display at one of their three locations. This month, the special guest is yours truly! Check out my display at the Bloomington location beginning Wednesday just in time to celebrate Earth Month (because thrift shopping is sustainable shopping) and Autism Awareness Month. Arc’s Value Village raises funds for The Arc Minnesota’s mission to support those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Stay tuned to instagram.com/jahnapeloquin to preview the display and to learn more about a special gift card giveaway. Bonus: Dressing rooms are now available for shoppers! Now @ Arc’s Value Village, 10546 France Ave S, Bloomington, arcsvaluevillage.orgCONTINUING:
Bread. A Unique Pop-up Market
What began as a holiday pop-up market over the holidays is returning to Maplewood Mall as a more permanent fixture. Created by local entrepreneur Marsha Magdalene as a shared opportunity to help small businesses market and scale their businesses, Bread features a mostly BIPOC group of locally owned brands and goods from local makers, including Marsha’s son’s brand, Ice Cream Bow Ties. For Thursday’s grand reopening, the store’s brands will be joined by Maplewood Mayor Abrams, MN State Rep. John Thompson and St. Paul City Council member Nelsie Yang, and there will be raffles and refreshments. Hours: Monday–Friday from 12–7pm and Sunday from 12–6pm (closed 4/4 for Easter Sunday) @ Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave N, Maplewood, www.facebook.com/breadpopup
Now open: Bumbershute’s new location
After more than a dozen years at its 50th & France location, high-end designer store Bumbershute has moved one block east to a new location. Owner Kathryn Paulsrud's mom started the store in 1970 in Fargo, N.D., before moving to Deephaven in 1978, then to Wayzata in 1995. Paulsrud took over in 2004. Today, the store stocks women’s clothing and accessories from brands like Rag & Bone, L’Agence, Alice & Olivia and Helmut Lang. Bonus: The new store has its own dedicated parking lot. Now open @ 3811 W 50th St, Minneapolis, bumbershute.com
Rebekah Niemeyer Spring Drop at Strey Collective
The local designer is back with a new collection of limited-edition pieces just in time for spring in a color-drenched palette of late ‘60s-inspired patterns in size S–L (custom sizing also available). Available beginning Saturday @ Strey Collective, 1500 Jackson St NE #179, Minneapolis, rebekahniemeyer.com
ACG “Welcome Back” Sale
Almost a year after shutting down due to the pandemic and having a baby, local clothing maker and artist Anna Chambers-Goldberg of ACG is back. She’s kicking things off with a big sale at its online shop, and she’s also opening up private, masked studio visits and video appointments. Look for some events to take place at her studio at Northrup King Building and at Gallery 360 coming soon. Shop now or make an appointment @ www.acgmpls.com
Faribault Woolen Mill Upcycled Collection Launches
MInnesota heritage brand, Faribault Woolen Mill, has just launched three new collections of goods made in collaboration with three local makers. A collection of upcycled throws (created by Al’s Tailoring and Dinosaur Hampton) and rugs (by Makwa Studio) are produced using remnants of throws and blankets from past and current collections. Not only is each piece sustainably made, they’re all one of a kind. Shop now @ www.faribaultmill.com/pages/upcycle
Papier at American Swedish Institute
A juncture between art and fashion, Papier is an international touring exhibition showcasing artist-designer Bea Szenfeld’s striking paper couture—dresses and other sculptural fashion items made entirely from paper and worn by such pop icons as Lady Gaga and Björk—united with artist-author Stina Wirsén’s evocative and colorful illustrations. Papier has made its Midwest debut at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis (in one of only two U.S. stagings). Get a first look and read more about my visit to the exhibit on my blog HERE! On view through July 11. Hours are Thursday–Sunday, 10am–4pm; advance, timed reservations are required to visit the museum and can be made at www.ASImn.org or by calling 612-871-4907 during museum hours.
Now open: LEGACY
After designer resale shop June announced its move to 50th & France, we wondered what was coming to its former storefront near Lyndale & Lake in Uptown. The secret’s now out: The storefront is now home to LEGACY, a vintage clothing and home shop run by June owner Daune Stinson’s daughter, Ruby, who recently moved back home from NYC after over a decade working in the fashion and retail industry. June’s little sister store features a fresh, more casual mix of brands, more vintage goods, and a lower price-point than June, similar to that of most vintage stores. Now open. Hours: Wednesday–Saturday 11am–5pm @ 3406 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, 612-545-7470, instagram.com/shoplegacystore
Now open: Dugo pop-up at Nolan Mains
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. At least that’s the case with Dugo, the locally owned, special-occasion retailer that had announced it would permanently close its longtime Galleria storefront. It will be setting up shop at the new Nolan Mains development at 50th & France. They’re now open within a 825-square-foot, temporary pop-up space there while their new permanent storefront is built out. According to MSP Mag, “expect a tighter, more focused selection of what Nancy knows best: dresses and evening separates and the accessories that accompany—like handbags and jewelry—plus, a special, rotating schedule of pop-ups of more casual wear and contemporary brands.” Hours: Monday–Saturday from 11am–5pm @ 3919 Market St, Edina, dressupgoout.com
First Thursday & Open Saturdays at Northrup King Building
Northeast's largest artist and maker studio building has open studios every Saturday and the first Thursday of the month. Fashion highlights includes Strey Collective, a co-op shop featuring apparel, leather goods and accessories by several local designers (#179) and local jewelry favorite, Larissa Loden (#265). Thursday from 5–9pm & Saturday from 10am–5pm @ 1500 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis, www.northrupkingbuilding.com
Fair Anita Showroom: Thursday & Saturday Open Hours
Minneapolis-based fair-trade brand Fair Anita recently opened a showroom in Northeast Minneapolis, where you can shop and view their fair-trade collections in person. Fair Anita collaborates with over 8,000 artisan partners across four continents and 9 countries for its jewelry, scarves, face masks and handbags, and each artisan cooperative specializes in different techniques and materials. Visiting in person also gives you the chance to shop new pieces before they arrive on the brand’s website. @ 1620 Central Ave NE #156, Minneapolis, fairanita.com. The showroom will be open Thursday afternoons from 12–5pm and the second Saturday of the month from 10am–4pm from March–May.
Now open: June at 50th & France: A new year can often signal a time of renewal. For local designer resale store, June, that means shuttering its original Lyndale Avenue location for a new storefront at 50th and France. The upscale retail and dining destination is a fitting move for the retailer, which sells a beautifully curated mix of designer pieces, including some vintage gems. Look for an opening announcement with more details this week @juneresale on Instagram. As for their former storefront, owner Daune Stinson plans to be “continuing our commitment to resale, sustainability and our neighborhood,” adding to “watch for a new women’s resale clothing store” coming soon to their former Lyndale site. Now open @ 5027 France Ave, Minneapolis, juneresale.com
Minneapolis Craft Market Online Marketplace: As Minneapolis Craft Market’s live markets are currently on hold through at least winter 2020, you can now shop their makers online as well as live each week on virtual streaming app Popshop Live, where they’ll showcase a different maker each week. Use invite code MCMPOP to join for easy holiday shopping from the comfort of your couch. Download the free app @ bit.ly/mcmpsl & find upcoming live streaming dates and times at mplscraftmarket.com/events. You can also shop the full Minneapolis Craft Market collection from local makers online 24/7 @ mplscraftmarket.com
The List Virtual Makers’ Marketplace: One unfortunate consequence of the COVID outbreak is the dearth of makers markets, which many local makers and small businesses had relied upon for a majority of their income—especially during the upcoming holiday season. Hoping to fill that void is The List, a new, Minnesota-based online maker hub that is fully launching this week. The marketplace aims to be a one-stop shop for high-quality artisans, makers and other small businesses, just in time for holiday gift-giving season. Find a mix of fashion, home goods and skin care by 40 top local makers, including Strey Designs, Adam Turman, Essence One, FOAT Design, Hackwith Design House, ILO Design, J.Lux Jewelry, Joeleen Torvick, Julia Elise Skincare, Tiny Loud and Minny & Paul. Shop now @ www.findmeonthelist.com
Check out my new Minnesota Vintage Directory, a curated listing of vintage stores and online sellers across the state for both clothing and home.
SUBMIT your upcoming shopping news and events to jahna.peloquin@gmail.com