There is no place like home. Sometimes it takes a trip to remember what you have in your own backyard. Now that I’m home with the baby and traveling less, I’ve become reacquainted with all that Minneapolis/St. Pablo. We often get emails from readers from the coasts who find themselves with a plane ticket to my adopted hometown. While I keep a list of my favorite restaurants, shops, and hangouts, our two cities are pretty big—about 20 miles of quaint neighborhoods, parks, lakes, and downtown blocks to explore.
With MSP having something of a moment, I hope to help out-of-town readers discover our northern city, one neighborhood at a time. Let’s start with 50 and France. They asked us to help sharpen their social media strategy this summer and during the process it seemed like a no-brainer to include a little guide to the city to kick off this effort.
A bit about the neighborhood: The business district known as 50th and France got its name from the two cross streets that mark the center of the neighborhood. The bustling business cluster is located in Edina, Minnesota, flanked by Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek. This city is known for its excellent school district, beautiful parks, bustling art fair, and ideal location within close proximity to city life with all the charm of a quaint town. The business district has flourished over the decades and it seems that now more than ever, this idea of a “main street” is as much to do with community as it is with prosperity.
Below is a new one of my favorite locations to visit. There is much more to explore, with a full list of companies available here.
- Park (5023 France South Avenue Minneapolis MN 55410) – I worked on the PARC brand in 2012 and really enjoyed watching them evolve over the years! PARC is a women’s boutique specializing in clothing, jewelry, accessories, apothecary, and shoes. They have a great selection of modern essentials for those who love special pieces that won’t break their budget.
- Grethen House (4930 France Avenue SouthEdina MN 55410) – For a long, long time, Grethen House was the only place in cities where you could find designer clothes. They went on to curate an exclusive collection of womenswear and accessories from cutting-edge designers, including Isabel Marant, Mother Denim, Yigal Azrouel, Cut 25, Frank & Eileen shirts, and Rick Owens. The personal experience you get at Grethen House is very different than what you get at Barney’s! This family boutique is one of my favorite places in France.
- Blue Bird Store (3909 West 50th StreetEdina MN 55424) – Established in 2004, Bluebird Boutique offers vintage jewelry as well as contemporary women’s brands, including Citizens of Humanity, Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, Elizabeth & James, Hanky Panky, and Saint Grace. This is a great store for quality basics!
- Room No.3 (4948 France Ave SouthEdina MN 55410) – Room No. 3 is a women’s lingerie, nightwear, shapewear and loungewear boutique with a super sophisticated stockist. I really want to live in this space! Once this baby weight melts away, I’ll be back to some lovely little things in this store.
- Fir and home flowers (4940 France Avenue SouthEdina MN 55410) – Lovely Describing themselves as “a hip florist with a fresh take on modern and romantic floral designs,” Spruce has become my go-to resource for beautiful arrangements and stunning flowers. Their beautiful boutique has great gifts and their vases are the loveliest keepsake after your flowers have died. They have a huge walk-in fridge filled with exquisite flowers and a great selection of houseplants, terrariums, fine home fragrances, vases and jewelry.
- bumper (France Avenue 5014Edina MN 55410 ) – Bumbershute is another fantastic boutique for the latest fashion designs. You’ll find 3.1 Phillip Lim, ALC, Alexander Wang, Frame Denim, Goldsign, Helmut Lang, IRO, Joie, L’Agence, Rag & Bone and more. It’s also worth checking out their selection of footwear, bags, jewelry and other accessories from established and emerging designers.
- Bone Adventure (5045 France South AvenueEdina MN 55410)- The best gadgets, gear, food and clothing for the furry friend in your life. This store is great for pet owners looking for well-designed products for their pets (and themselves) to enjoy!
- Yoga Fit (4507 France South AvenueMinneapolis MN 55410) – YogaFit’s mission is to provide yoga for everyone at all experience levels in an affordable and non-intimidating way. My favorite aspect of the YogaFit membership program is the 24/7 access, day or night, so you can do your practice at any time.
- dpHUE (4944 France South AvenueEdina MN 55410) – dpHUE is a whole new concept: they bring best-in-class professional hair color directly to you, along with expert guidance and step-by-step education. Think of it like a salon, on-the-go hair color. In addition to their hairstyling and color consulting services, they have created an incredible line of hair care products that are also great for uncolored hair. I reviewed your ACV product here and still love the results!
- goGlow (3922 West 50th Street, Suite 103Edina MN 55424) – goGLOW is the only sunless tanning provider in Minnesota to receive an Allure Best of Beauty Award and earn 5 stars in their New York to Los Angeles Best Spray Tans issue. You are in good hands with these guys!
- Pacifier (4942 France South AvenueEdina MN 55424) This is THE best baby gift shop in town. They have multiple locations around the city, and this one is within walking distance of all your other shopping needs. They have clothing (up to size 12), wooden toys, equipment, nursery furniture, decor, and more.
- leafy (3915 West 50th StreetEdina MN 55424) – Hello, bath bombs! You’re probably familiar with LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, they offer selections of eco-friendly skin care, hair care, bath and body products and gifts loaded with natural ingredients. The cosmetic deli is a really fun shopping experience and I like to stop by to try something new for a little “treat” time.
- Crocus Hill Cooks (3925 West 50th StreetEdina MN 55424) – Yes, there is even a place to improve your cooking skills! Cooks of Crocus Hill has been our state’s reference place for culinary products and instruction for 40 years. Since then, they have grown the business to include three cooking schools that host a variety of cooking classes and offer private event experiences, as well as three retail stores that sell culinary equipment, small items, books, and packaged foods. Joe and I will be taking a class at the Edina location at the end of the month and we are so excited to learn something new!
Like I said at the beginning of this post, this is just a little peek inside this little corner of Edina. For more information on the neighborhood and business district, visit www.50thandfrance.com.
2ndTruth images, Judith Marilyn style
Kate is currently learning to play the ukulele, much to the despair of her husband, children, and dogs. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
