Come on over to Stillwater and visit some of the most fashion-forward, innovative and savvy businesses in all of the Twin Cities. There are so many fabulous women owned businesses in downtown Stillwater you can make a full day or weekend out of your visit. It’s a perfect getaway for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend, or just a sunny spring Saturday!
I am here to debunk any and all myths about Stillwater AND give you the hottest tips on where to go when you visit! (I will write more about the shops in my next Stillwater blog—this is to just get you there!)
1. “It’s all antiques”
From one end of Main Street to the other, Stillwater boasts shops filled with the latest fashion (Collaborations 129 1/2 Main St S, and Stella), fitness/yoga (Studio Cates), a trend-setting salon (Monde), gourmet restaurants (Savories), sophisticated home decor (Alfresco, Interior Motive, and Maison Galleria), an adorable yarn shop (Darn Knit Anyway) a charming kids store (Red Rover Kids), not to mention the perfect stop for coffee and a scone (Supreme Bean Expresso Cafe – 402 Main St N). And that’s just Main Street!
2. “There’s no parking”
Rubbish! I have been to Stillwater three times just since December, and every time I find plenty of on-street parking! If you are planning a visit, call any of the local shop owners and they will happily suggest the closest FREE parking lot!
3. “Traffic problems”
I zoomed right into Stillwater without incident nor traffic every time. But here is an inside scoop: Follow signs on Hwy 36 and Take Cty Rd. 15/Manning to Cty Rd 12/Myrtle and zip on down—lickety split!
4. “It’s full of tourists!”
Are you a tourist if you live in Excelsior and shop on Grand? No! It’s metro shoppers who know Stillwater is THE place to shop for fabulous finds! My good friend and fashion maven (and her husband!) drive into Stillwater from Minneapolis once every 6 weeks just to get their hair cut! They make an event of it by grabbing a bite to eat and doing a bit of shopping too. Would they do that for the past 8 years if it wasn’t a fun way to spend an evening?
5. “It’s expensive!”
NO WAY! I bought a fantastic designer dress at Collaborations that was under $50! Fashion forward design, fabulous fit, wool/cashmere, no tailoring necessary. Simply perfect. Looks like I bought it in the Oval Room but I supported a local designer AND shop owner! Many of these shop owners travel around the country to buy lines that big box stores do not carry. As you shop the marvelous stores in Stillwater, remember that your purchases send money back into the community. 76 cents for every dollar spent goes back into the community when you shop local versus 46 cents when you shop big department stores and ZERO when you shop online!
Don’t forget to meander around Stillwater and find more great shops tucked away: Camrose Hill Flowers is a must stop, simply to check out their incredibly charming space—it feels like you’re in a 100-year-old English mansion! Bring home fresh flowers grown on a local farm, too.
Down the road a bit is THE BEST stop for all your summer picnic goodies. Heather at Bread Art makes everything herself from artisan breads to cookies, pies to pastries. They look and taste so yummy that you’ll want to throw a backyard party! Scratch baking never tasted so good!
If that is not enough incentive, right next door is La Cocinita Restaurante where Angelina boasts award winning salsa and scrumptious homemade Mexican dishes that must be accompanied by her delicious margaritas! We came for lunch and were tempted to just stay through dinner because the hospitality and the food was so warm and welcoming.
So come visit Stillwater in the next few weeks. You will be so happy you did! We promise!
5 Responses to “5 Myths About Stillwater We Simply Must Crack!”
Ditto!!!
I’ve lived downtown Stillwater at The Terra Springs Condos for 5 years and have been a Realtor in Stillwater for 10 years. Absolutely is one of the best places I’ve lived and worked, and I doubt if we will ever tire of it. It’s charm, history and great river community is hard to beat anywhere! The Lund Team of Edina Realty:)
Spending time in Stillwater is worth dealing with the occasional traffic {mostly caused by the beautiful lift bridge, if you aren’t aware}. Parking is absolutely not a problem, as there are many places to park just a couple blocks off Main Street. Definitely worth a trip!
La Cocinita and Bread Art are both located in Bayport, another great town!
Moved from Sarasota Florida to Stillwater…grew to love the small town beauty that Stillwater is! My heart now belongs only to Stillwater.
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