10 Twin Cities Small Businesses for Local Gifts All Year Round
Minneapolis and St Paul is bursting with creativity, craftsmanship, and community. Whether you’re hunting for a last-minute holiday gift or want to shop more mindfully year-round, the city’s independent shops are full of character and stories worth sharing.
From ceramics and stationery to handmade jewelry and sustainable fabrics, here are ten local spots where every purchase gives back to the people who make this city unique.
Ampersand Shops
Best for: The art lover, design-obsessed friend, or home décor enthusiast
A vibrant boutique in the Galleria, Ampersand Shops has a curated mix of home goods, tableware, and gifts. You’ll find a thoughtful edit of artisan and heritage brands: Simon Pearce glassware, Juliska dinnerware, Diptyque candles, Molton Brown bodycare, and Mackenzie-Childs homeware, alongside Italian ceramics from Vietri and playful gifts from Jellycat and Lafco New York.
Ampersand brings global brands to Minneapolis, offering a local space to discover beautiful, meaningful gifts.
Rose & Loon
Best for: The proud Minnesotan, creative spirit, or host with cozy-home energy
Located in Rosedale Center, Rose & Loon brings together makers from across the Midwest under one roof. You’ll find everything from locally roasted coffee to “Minnesota Minimalism” prints by artist Liz Derby of Little Dipper Art, known for her color-forward depictions of lakes and landmarks. It’s a one-stop shop for gifts that feel like Minnesota - creative, cozy, and community-minded.
Northwind
Best for: The minimalist, traveler, or someone who loves timeless craftsmanship
Northwind crafts small-batch leather goods designed to last a lifetime. From wallets and journals to custom straps and accessories, each piece combines quality with clean, functional design. These gifts work for anyone, from a father who appreciates well-made essentials to a sister who loves handcrafted accessories. Whether it’s a sleek cardholder, a personalised key fob, or a classic tote, Northwind’s designs are understated, durable, and made to be loved for years.
As they relaunch their brand, Northwind’s products continue to capture what we love most about Minnesota makers: durable beauty and authenticity.
Greenhouse Salon & Shop
Best for: The self-care enthusiast, plant parent, or eco-minded friend
Part salon, part plant paradise, Greenhouse Salon & Shop is where beauty, sustainability, and community intersect. The plant-filled space offers personalized hair services alongside curated local goods and greenery. It’s the perfect stop for eco-friendly gifts - from natural haircare and candles to trailing pothos for a friend’s apartment.
Rock Candy Shop
Best for: The curious soul, spiritual friend, or rock collector at heart
When silversmith Christa and her husband travelled the world, they noticed that candy shops and rock stores were always separate, so they decided to combine the two. The result is Rock Candy, a woman-owned boutique that blends beautiful stones with sweet treats in the most unexpected way.
Each stone comes with an information card so visitors can learn as they browse, and the shop regularly hosts creative workshops with local artists and a Reiki master. This shop perfect for if you’re looking for someone who loves experiential gifts.
Looking for ideas? Pair a bag of handmade candy with a healing crystal set, gift a workshop ticket for a friend’s birthday, or curate a “sweet and spiritual” care package.
Best for: The crafter, sustainable shopper, or creative beginner
The Textile Center gives new life to fabric, yarn, and other materials through reuse and community sharing. It’s designed for creatives who love to sew, knit, or upcycle and a wonderful place to find affordable, eco-friendly gift ideas. Pick up a bundle of colorful yarns for a knitting friend, or a mix of textiles and craft books for someone rediscovering their creative side. Every item here tells a story of sustainability and imagination, proving that thoughtful gifts don’t have to come wrapped in plastic.
Northern Clay Center
A cornerstone of Minneapolis’s art community, Northern Clay Center is dedicated to the art of ceramics. Its gallery and shop feature handmade pottery, sculptures, and different vessels from local and national artists. A hand-thrown mug paired with beans from a local roaster makes a perfect morning ritual gift, while a statement vase or serving dish brings lasting beauty to a home.
For those who love experiences over objects, the center also offers pottery classes - a creative gift that supports both the artist and the recipient.
Simply Creative
Best for: The DIYer, hobbyist, or someone who appreciates an ‘experience’ present
Simply Creative combines a craft studio, boutique, and gift shop under one roof. You can join one of their hands-on workshops (like candle-pouring to resin art) or gift the experience to someone else. Their curated retail section offers DIY kits, art supplies, and locally made gifts that inspire creativity long after the wrapping paper’s gone. For a personal touch, pair a workshop voucher with a handmade ornament or a set of paints - it’s a perfect combination for the maker who loves trying new things.
Love From MN
Best for: The Minnesota native, transplant, or proud local
If Minnesota pride had a storefront, it would look like Love From MN. This shop celebrates everything that makes the state special. Think cozy sweatshirts emblazoned with local slogans, mugs that nod to northern lakes, and accessories that say “home” without words. It’s a go-to for anyone who’s recently moved away (or moved here and fallen in love). These gifts are sentimental without being sappy!
Bench Pressed
Best for: The stationery lover, romantic, or witty gift-giver
Letterpress studio Bench Pressed is where humor meets heart. Each card, print, and notepad is hand-printed on vintage presses, resulting in tactile, art-quality stationery. Their designs range from cheeky and irreverent to sweet and sentimental, making their gifts ideal for birthdays, holidays, or “just because.”
A set of thank-you cards, a minimalist art print, or one of their famously funny holiday cards makes a gift that’s small but deeply personal. For the friend who still loves snail mail, Bench Pressed is pure perfection.
Shop Local, Give Thoughtfully
Minneapolis’s makers remind us that the best gifts are often the ones that come with a story - a spark of creativity, a moment of connection, a reminder of home.
Whether you’re shopping for the holidays or just because, these small businesses make it easy to find something that’s both thoughtful and local.
