Shopping the Community

As much as I can, I buy clothes from local boutiques and stores instead of shopping online.  Granted, Sid Mashburn doesn’t have a store anywhere near the North and Uniqlo’s deals are too good to pass up every once in awhile.  However, stores like Askov Finlayson now stock brands like Ring Jacket and Freemans Sporting Club, and MartinPatrick3 has a stellar selection of Eidos Napoli (some of which I’ve bought), which makes trying before buying both practical and feasible.

Last weekend, two local style strongholds collaborated on a pop-up in the lobby of the brand new Hewing Hotel.  BlackBlue has introduced cutting-edge brands to creative people over the past seven years.  They’re one of my favorite shops in town, thanks to their unparalleled raw denim selection and their dedication to clothes that stand out due to construction or details, rather than flashy designs.  Lanona Shoes is the 21st century answer to Red Wing.  That’s not to say the bootmaking stronghold is passe - rather, Lanona offers slimmer silhouettes and a wider, more adventurous color palette that will make workwear skeptics reconsider their reservations.

In a short amount of time, the Hewing has become the clubhouse for the see-and-be-seen set in the cities.  The rooms are populated by travelers, but the bar and restaurant, Tullibee, are filled with locals wanting to try some of Chef Grae Nonas’ (of revered Austin haunt Olamaie) innovative Nordic fare, or who want to soak up the hotel’s historic atmosphere over several Negronis.  These are the people - myself included - inclined to support companies like BlackBlue and Lanona, who care about the provenance and process of how their clothes - among other things - are made, so it makes sense that the brands would choose the hotel as the place to reach an audience across the river (both are based in Saint Paul).  

The edited selection each company featured at the pop-up was driven by winter’s biting arrival.  Lanona’s boots are ideal for trudging through the snow in style, and the S.N.S. sweaters and Raleigh denim BlackBlue offered at the pop-up make for a ready-made outfit.  Stroll up to Tullibee’s bar in such an ensemble, and you’ll be the best looking man in town and in all of the North.  

Location: Hewing Hotel