local businesses downtown

I would love to support local/smaller businesses, but have genearlly found chain stores along the skywalk. do I need to get further out of downtown, or could you point me to some unique shops (bookstore, tea, artsy shops, etc.)? given the current temps I wouldn%26#39;t mind walking miles through the skyway, but am willing to walk outside to find local places- don%26#39;t want to fly so many hours to shop %26amp; visit stores/chains we have in Massachusetts. Thanks! Am going now to mia :).

local businesses downtown

I%26#39;m not super familiar with downtown, but if you have a car, head to uptown. If no car, catch a number 12 bus.

Patina is a little boutique shop on Hennepin and Franklin.. Its also next to Sebastian Joes Ice Cream which is fantastic.

There is a tea shop across the east side of Hennepin Ave at about 26th I want to say.. Its across from the uptown diner which is also an awesome place if you like huge greasy breakfasts ;)

Walk or drive up and down Hennepin and Lyndale Aves, and check out Lake and Lyndale streets as well. Lots of little local shops in and around that area.

local businesses downtown

thanks, I appreciate the tip! On the way back from the MIA (which was fantastic), I got off the bus a few blocks earlier than where I got on and wandered around a bit...found a terrific used book store, whose owner told me that real estate prices have driven out many locally owned/smaller businesses.

From downtown if you walk over the hennepin ave bridge across the missisppi there is a nice area - it is what you would call an emerging neighborhood of shops and restaurants.

You could also take of a thousand busses down hennepin avenue to uptown. there is a wonerful used bookstore, some great food and even a spice shop.

it%26#39;s a bit of a night spot.