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Ali Shops Blog

Archive for March 27th, 2011

Autumn Cottage: New Digs, New Direction

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Autumn Cottage, the Stillwater-based resource for New England cottage furniture, has moved back to its original space in the Brick Alley Building at 421 South Main Street in Stillwater.  Although a smaller indoor space, the company will be designing an outdoor area in front of the store to showcase its growing Autumn Cottage Outdoors furniture line. Outdoor furniture is a growth area for the company – don’t be surprised if the line shows up at other stores soon. While retail will continue to be a focus locally, Autumn Cottage plans to push its manufacturing business beyond Stillwater.

A Grand Re-Opening Sale is on now through April 5. Save 20 percent storewide. Mention that you read about it in AliShopsBlog for a double discount on select items (see store for details).

Inizio Closing

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Just a year after moving to South Minneapolis, Inizio is closing. The 11-year-old gift store relocated from Calhoun Commons to 50th & Penn in Minneapolis, which seemed a risky proposition for a store that was always solid, but never a true destination like Patina or Bibelot. But once I saw the warm space, reinvigorated merchandise, and owner Patricia Hefferan’s enthusiasm for bringing a gift shopping to her own neighborhood, I thought 50th & Penn might finally have found a store that would stick. But even in an urban neighborhood, it’s tough to draw a crowd – especially during a long winter. I thought Hefferan was smart to post big signs inviting customers to park in the Broder’s lot, but even that, it seems, was not enough.

“This difficult decision was something I have been thinking about for a very long time,” Hefferan says. “I enjoyed the last year in the new location – I am glad I made the move. After 11 years, it simply feels like the right time in my life to close the store and move on to something new.”

Good thing Patina is rebuilding at 50th & Bryant.

As for Inizio, save 30 to 60 percent storewide, including spring arrivals. The store will remain open through April, if inventory lasts.


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