Retail Therapy? Well, sort of…

I was out at the Mall of America to attend a Women in Retail networking event put on by the Minnesota Retailers Association last night. It was held in a really hip new restaurant/bar at the new Radission Blu hotel, which is attached to the Mall on east end of the mall. What a beautiful new facility!

I always enjoy walking through and shopping at the Mall of America. All of the stores are such beautiful showplaces. I think the various companies make a special

effort to keep the Mall of America stores up to date and well merchandised. As a retailer, it is always inspiring and I usually find a new idea or two to bring back to my little Frame Minnesota custom framing store in Eagan. 

Last night was no different. The Radisson’s FireLake Grill House and Cocktail bar was beautiful with an interesting mix of barn wood walls and more upscale decor. Even the pool tables were covered in a fine dark green linen rather than the bright felt you usually see. And the Minnesota Retailers put on a nice event centered around small group discussions of various topics from the popular book, “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg. It’s was fun to rub shoulders and have glass of wine with some classy top Minnesota Retailers like Robertta Bonoff of Creative Kidstuff, Hillary Fedor of Ask Hillary (Hopkins, MN) and Jill Renslow, the MOA’s director of marketing. I met quite few new folks, including Laurie from Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers (Calhoun Village, Mpls…check her out). 

And of course,  I always find a little art to look at….There was a beautiful collage of varied selection of art right outside the entrance to the Firehouse. It might have looked like a huge mishmash, if not for the unifying white mats and frames. Here is a little photo from my phone–apologies for the blurriness, I guess the I-phone was a little off it’s game. Notice the asymmetrical method of hanging the art as well as the wide variety all tied together by white on white.

I didn’t have to go far to see this next example at Brighton Collectibles, another new store right outside the 2nd floor entrance to Fire Lake. They used some really beautiful picture frame moulding to create door fronts for recessed displays on the outside of the store! Much more interesting and upscale than one of those cheap looking metal doors like you’d see in a school or something. Not an easy or typical job for most frameshops but one we sure could tackle here at Frame Minnesota Eagan.