#smalltownshopping

[nothernexposuretravels]

Artistic Junk and Exquisite Scents

There’s nothing I love more than a good boutique (the only exceptions being a great cup of coffee and my cats).  And boy, oh, boy, do I have two incredible boutiques for you located in McIntosh, Minnesota!

McIntosh is located on US Highway 2 in Northwester Minnesota.  When you first exit the highway and turn into the town, it looks pretty old and empty.  But I PROMISE YOU, if you keep going into the town, you’ll find two hidden gems: Minnesota Rust and Howard Soap Company.  Once you’ve walked through their doors, you’ll be thrilled you’ve made the detour of the main drag!

Minnesota Rust

Minnesota Rust immediately catches your eye with its modern black and white exterior, a refreshing, updated look that really adds sophistication to the area.  During my visit in September, the outside ushered in the fall with a vast assortment of pumpkins, greenery, and antique items.  But it was the INSIDE of Minnesota Rust that took my breath away.

I’ve seen a lot of upcycle design shops, but this one took the grand prize.  When pitching it to local friends, I’ve described it, modestly, as the most artistic upcycle and antique shop I’ve been to.  You can spend over an hour in this shop just admiring the way the owner has create works of art and features of interest with the interior.  A black book case with rolling ladder made my jaw drop (because who here hasn’t secretly always longed for a book case with a rolling ladder?).  The center contained a huge focal piece that really requires a 360° viewing to fully take it all in!  If there’s any criticism to this store, it’s that the design of the inside is so wonderfully done, you end up admiring that and forgetting to shop!  Oh, who am I kidding?  That’s not a criticism!  That’s a compliment!

The owner is also very personable and friendly, eager to talk about her shop and items on display.  This is not only worth the stop if you happen to be passing by, but worth a specific venture to this destination itself.  BONUS, her daughter’s shop, Howard Soap Company, is right next door, and a beautiful green space connects the two.

Howard Soap Company 

I first stumbled upon Howard Soap Company at a Home Show two years ago, and I’ve become their biggest cheerleader!  Locally made in McIntosh, Katherine Howard’s soaps, lotions, candles, etc. are beyond my ability to describe.  I could, and have, literally spent over an hour spelling every single product she had on hand, taking photos and notes of my favorites, and having to hem and haw over which scent(s) were coming home with me.  Because there is NO WAY I can run into her goods and NOT buy some!

What sets Howard Soap Company apart from other candle and lotion maker in the area, or in general, is her unique blend of scents.  You’ll find yourself inhaling the candles over and over, trying to let your nose capture everything good inside the wax, your senses pondering the combination.  “I’ve never smelled anything like this, BUT IT WORKS SO WELL!”  I’ve bought her lotions for friends, her candles for my home.  It’s the first candle I light, and the first one I burn until it’s gone.

I cannot wait to go back and visit this evening and see what new goodies she has on hand!  Bonus, if you can’t make a trip to her store in person, you can purchase some of her lotions at Total Betty in Thief River Falls, MN; at Palubicki's in Fosston, MN; or order them online from her Etsy store (see link below).  But, honestly, you need to go take an afternoon and enjoy her store and smell these divine things yourself.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HowardSoapCompany

Haunted Marketplace Event

And as if these ladies aren’t busy enough creating magic in their stores, they’re also hosting it!  Both companies partook in the Fosston area Fall Shop Hop, and they’re back with a “Haunted Marketplace” event Friday, October 25th, 5-8pm in downtown McIntosh!  

Festivities include:

Adult Trick-o-Treating

Shopping

Food and drinks

Giveaways and prizes

Music

Tarot card readings

Heck yeah!  

My friends and I are getting Halloween glammed up and headed out to the events.  I’ll be sure to post an update  Come on out and enjoy some adult boutique fun!

[the-grove-gift-shop]

Our hearts are so sad to hear that one of our favorite legends has received her crown! Betty White, one of our favorite Golden Girls, passed away today at 99 years old. She would have celebrated her 100th birthday January 17th! In honor of Betty, we are going to be having a sale for all of the exciting things coming that we haven’t announced publicly yet! Our permanently on hold, due to the pandemic, restaurant partner is also a big time Betty fan! Many may not realize that The Grove Gift Shop was created to be the fun & quirky gift shop for the restaurant we all planned to open. The pandemic put a huge hold on those plans, which ultimately was a blessing, being that many of our restauranteur friends have freely shared their struggles over the past year with having workers, etc. I do believe one hundred percent that our building/construction delays were a blessing in that we didn’t end up over our heads. I also believe that we have all been able to adapt, change, & grow in ways that we never saw coming. As we prepare to enter the new year, stay tuned!! There are many exciting changes in order that we are all so excited to share! Here’s to 2022… expanded opportunities & serving you all! We are so excited! #staytuned #changes #growth #celebration #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopdowntownboaz #smalltownshopping (at The Grove Gift Shop) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYKmrwbOCen/?utm_medium=tumblr

[visitamador]

Gorgeous, spacious BLUE SKIES! Sneak out today for your Amador County road trip and explore more of Everything! Only 45 minutes East of Sacramento Amador Beauty is waiting for you ❤️ Photo 📸 by @amadorflowerfarm Open 9am-4pm Daily. #FinalFriday #FridayVibes #welcomeback #Sneakaway #daytripping #Roadtrip #Hwy49 #Latrobe #Hwy88 #hwy104 #amadorcounty #exploremore #freshairtherapy #sunset #winelovers #restaurantsopen #openforbusiness #smalltownshopping (at Visit Amador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkGg1hseuQ/?igshid=1sx52q81ieba7

[hillcountrychic]

The Willow City Dress #inhouse #instock ❤️ . . . . #dresses #hillcountrychic #LOVEHCC #summertime #springstyle #shopping #clothing #boutique #southernstyle #texashillcountry #smalltownshopping #ootd #instafashion # https://www.instagram.com/p/B94sYm8pYC9/?igshid=1pjkna4mqc9up

[rahrags]

So happy to be a small part of this fabulous shop! @vintagecottage150 . . Celebrating #momandpopshop day! So thankful for @bertgarris and her vision and hard work. . . Such a great example of making #downtownasheboro great! . . Let’s celebrate 🎉 all #momandpopstores this weekend. . . Thanks to all the other vendors and staff at Vintage Cottage for all your support! #smalltownshopping #smalltownrevitalization #downtownasheboronc #lovemyhometown #smallshoplove (at Asheboro, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmRey5A9kj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pyczgxpan5v0

[glimmerbugart]

So excited to participate in this wonderful event. Mark your calendars! #harvardartists #boltonharvardopenstudios #openstudios #supportlocalartists #smalltownshop (at Glimmerbug Handmade Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRaW22eFgfG/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cotiqueshop]

Just redid our windows. So many cute things available including these tees! The pink and leopard heart soft tee is available in small, medium and large. We have a lighter pink matching one for little girls and we also have them available in gray. This beautiful bright tee is just the cutest! It says “fear is a liar” and it is. We will look fear directly in the eye and conquer it!! Hope you’re having a fabulous day even if it’s raining! Our denim Kan Can jacket is available in small thru 3XL and KanCan denim shorts are too. Everything should be on our website. Check it out when you can. Www.cotiqueshop.com #cotiqueshop #winowdisplay #onthesquare #smalltownshop #boutiquestyles #shoplocal #sezzle #onlineshopping #sezzleit (at Cotique Boutique, Forsyth, GA, Monroe County) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtBRF8p6Xj/?igshid=nvfwuuoswy23

[theroguecrusade]

Another late night #marchmeetthemaker entry, but I took this one yesterday for my “where” entry! Our studio is located on the corner of Court Street and 3rd Avenue in #gallipolisohio - this is the view from our front door. It’s a lovely little River Town, the kind of place one might imagine starting an epic quest in. 😊 We started opening the doors to visitors this past June. It’s been a wild ride full of learning experiences, but we have a great landlord who accepts our weirdness (and says he thinks it’s kinda cool), and omg was it nice to get all the Crusade stuff out of our kitchen! 😆 Our building has quite a bit of small-town history to it, from being the local musical instrument store to being a teenager hangout spot. Overall I’m pleased with our “where” and am happy to add our chapter to 61 Court Street’s story. #smalltown #smalltownusa #smalltowngirl #smalltownlife #smalltownohio #smalltowncharm #smalltownvibes #gallipolis #gallipolisohio #gallia #galliafirst #galliacounty #dontquityourdaydream #femaleentrepreneur #girlboss #girlbosses #mycreativebiz #creativehappylife #shopsmall #smalltownboutique #smallbiz #smalltownshopping (at Gallipolis, Ohio)

[jvdwight]

#smalltown #oldtown #smalltownshopping #bigbearlake

[enchantedshoes]

Clearance corner buy 2 get one free this week.Stop in tonight open this week 4:30-7:30pm. #qupid##springbreak2017#smalltownshopping

[familiarbooksohio]

"In the meantime the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ work with thee, gentle reader, in all thy studious readings." -John Foxe . Easter Sunday is just a few days away! Be sure to swing by the Shop and take advantage of our 50% off sale, it’s a delight to behold for sure. Happy Easter 🐰 . . . #christian #christianstudies #christianbooks #christianbookstagram #bookstagram #books #bookshelf #bookshelfie #bookshop #ohio #ohiogram #easter #eastersunday #eastersunday2019 #christ #church #springfieldohio #harmonyohio #local #localbusiness #smalltown #smalltownshopping (at Raven Books) https://www.instagram.com/ravenbooksohio/p/BwZo6dwAggY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=q3ja67li9zj1

[maxxspeed15]

Support The Local Small Businesses!! They Are Someone's Parents, Kids, Uncles, Aunts, and Friends!! #smallbusiness #local #supportsmallbusiness #liketheirpage #marketing #shopsmall #mainstreetusa #momandpopshop #smalltownshops #hereishow #theyneedyou #business #entrepreneur #entrepreneurlife #instagram #instabusiness https://www.instagram.com/p/BrWbrUHjSzm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1v1ajbmy1260i

[merryabouttown]

After being away for the weekend, a trip to town was non-negotiable. I wanted to go NOT AT ALL. I bribed myself by going to @eastsideeatery for a quick lunch. I thought I was going to have soup but I changed my mind and had the tuna sandwich instead. It was delish! With lettuce, hot peppers and cucumbers, it might be my new favourite. It kept me going while I looked at 5 different stores for cookie cutters. Lunch was DEFINITELY the best part of my shopping trip. #lacombe #smalltownshopping #lakelife #tunasandwich #lunch #nomnom #eeeeeats #feedfeed https://ift.tt/2QNqJCc

[jimsmeatsauce]

Not just any pit stop, the @westmainpitstop in #swainsboroga. #jimsmeatsauce is restocked. #cloudyday #smalltownshopping (at West Main Pit Stop)

[glimmerbugart]

I'll have my shop open tomorrow from 10-4 for holiday shopping! Please stop by (bring your mask!) and enjoy unique and handmade gifts. Paintings, ornaments, journals, gifts, cards and lots more! #handmadeinharvard #holidaygifts #smalltownshop #artsandcrafts (at Glimmerbug Handmade Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH_vdxEAi8z/?igshid=1ldau5yxkm9i8

[theroguecrusade]

I use Jazi’s lotion bars on a daily basis, it’s one of the things she’s really nailed! And her latest batch came in adorable mini size in carryable jars. I think I’m in love. 💙 . . . #skincareaddict #skincarejunkie #skincare #yourskin #skincareproduct #skinluxury #instaskin #loveyourskin #naturalbeauty #beautycare #gallipolis #gallipolisohio #gallia #galliafirst #galliacounty #dontquityourdaydream #femaleentrepreneur #girlboss #girlbosses #mycreativebiz #creativehappylife #shopsmall #smalltownboutique #smallbiz #smalltownshopping (at The Rogue Crusade)