Forage Modern Workshop

Walking into Forage is like walking into the home I wish I could design. There are vintage wool blankets draped over swanky rustic chairs, gorgeous handmade furniture, local art + jewelry, kitchen and serving miscellany, and most recently a little nook of vintage clothing!
The furniture at Forage reminds me of what you might find in a sophisticated, cozy cabin overlooking the Appalachians — or at least that’s where my dreamscape takes me. The pieces are functional works of art, with contemporary lines and gorgeous natural materials like benches made from logs and natural-​fiber settees fit for Mr. Bunyan himself. Much though I love to admire the goods and daydream about what my house could look like if I bought all of them, the pricetags on these gems mean I’ll have to give this fantasy a good few decades to materialize.
If you’re looking for more affordable finds, the mostly-​local handmade housewares and gifts are worth the trip in and of themselves. Leather wallets from Leatherworks, both vintage and handmade dishes, funky local art a la Artcrank, and even beautiful wooden electronics like turntables and iPhone docks.
All in all, Forage is a beautiful urban escape and offers a platform for Minneapolitans to support local and non-​local artisans and crafters. The staff are welcoming, friendly, and excited about all of the unique wares they get to sell. The shop really does reflect the foraging its curators do to bring morsels of hand-​crafted goodness our way!
Once you’re done ogling, head across the room to Parka for a Dogwood latte, brewed on a hot-​pink espresso machine! Indulge in a melt-​in-​your-​mouth rustic chocolate chip cookie, nestle up to the window, and watch the world go by. It’s the perfect complement to Forage.
A side note: one star is deducted for the fact that I have $ 50 in gift certificates to Forage and can afford, like, a spoon. It’s a bummer that everything is so expensive, even though your money is going to support all good things.

Forage is a wonderful space. The items are very selectively curated, peppered with fantastic vintage finds. I would recommend this place for house warming gifts, designer anecdotes, grooming gifts for tasteful men, or any furniture staple. The store itself is great to wander through, each space is thoughtfully arranged and reflects a love of classic chic design. The prices reflect the quality of the items and are therefore on the higher end.

Forage is a breath of fresh air in a pretty uneventful retail town. There is a distinctive point of view and curated balance of beautiful wares… many locally made and danish modern vintage. No not the crap from a yard sale or «your grandma’s», but quality modern heirloom pieces. You will find little mass produced trade show junk so everything is fresh and artful and original. On each stop I’ve purchased at least 5 things… and mind you… I don’t need anything. I merely DESIRE and that’s why I love this place. I’ve already settled on a coffee table I must have in the near future and I can’t wait to go back and see what new things will be sprinkled into the mix. While waiting for a table at Parka, you can pop in here and kill 2 birds with 1 finely crafted stone.
Connecting café, Parka’s food is to die for as well. Seriously one of the better new additions to the twin cities. Staff is sweet and service was good. Dogwood coffee… YUM.

This place is connected to Parka, which you should definitely check out.
Okay so this place is obviously a shop full of local artists and repurposed items.
It reminds me of a cross between my grandma’s house and a DIY Pinterest Board. I have said this in the past and my keen design sense has proven to be true — seventies style is somehow chic again! This place had some unique items and pretty cool stuff, but a small showcase of individual items. Love the succulents, love the seventies chic. I was inspired to open up my own store full of items I find in my grandma’s or my parents’ house though. Didn’t know there was a niche market there already.

I wonder if you went to an average garage sale and displayed it in this setting, if you’d be chomping at the bit for it. They have a way of making anything desirable. On display they had a bedroom set from the 60’s. The built in bookcase on the headboard gave that away. It was already sold. Near the bathrooms they had bookshelves that were to be envied. In the office looked like a consulting team at work. I’m guessing they will make custom furniture. There is someone very helpful on hand to answer all questions. I’m sure they’re used to lots of browsers, and it’s nice they don’t discourage it.

We stopped by Forage in hopes that Parka had opened (I think Tuesday the 22^nd is their official opening).
This place is cute! Is intelligently styled and really contemporary. There is a nice mix of vintage finds and local/​independent work. Like a good wine shop, Forage does a great job of describing the artist and gives fun facts and snippets.
You really couldn’t furnish your whole house with shop since there are a lot of different styles, but definitely a place for gifts or that occasional piece for your place. The prices ranged but never felt unattainable.

Found this place thanks to the 2012 Unilocaliest Gift Guide Ever! (Shout out to Annie D.!) I have to admit — when I first walked in, I got the impression that I could not (nor did I want to) afford anything in the place. It has an initial impression of some high-​falootin’ boutique gift shop just off 50^th and France. However, after checking out only a couple of gifts, you quickly realize that this place is what you WISH CB2 was.
There are gifts here that run the price point gamut. Everything from a one-​of-​a-​kind vintage couch for $ 1800 to a musical ruler (complete with instructions) for $ 12. Not only are the gifts unique and fun, but they include information about the artists so that if you like what you see you can investigate how to get more! That means that even if you don’t buy anything, you leave with more than you came. The more you know…*
The store definitely has a ‘local owned’ atmosphre — as if you could ask any question about any product and get a perfect answer. Not only that, but there is something here for just about anyone. Well… except me… but full transparency, I wandered in to pass time and not with a specific goal in mind.
Additionally, this would have been my first venture into Longfellow for anything other than a kickball game. Loved what I saw — need to see more.
All in all, I would highly recommend checking this place out. I will most definitely be back. With a purpose. And a list.

Oh… this is bad, guys. My brain can’t handle this much awesome in one store.
First of all, the merch. They showcase a ton of local artists. They have information about the makers displayed, which is cool if you want to learn more about these people. You’ll find everything from furniture to housewares to gifts to jewelry. It’s a mix of new and thrifted items, and I ended up finding a really cool vintage desk organizer for «Rubber Bands» & «Clips» that I’m now using for hair binders and bobby pins. I also found a green speckled vase that matches my planter collection perfectly. Everything is very mid-​century, high-​design and modern — the craftsmanship level is up there for sure. Yes, some of the prices are a tad scary (in the K’s for most furniture and even my small organizer was $ 25), but some are much less so (the vase was $ 10 and the Larissa Loden baubles are very affordable). And really it’s not any spendier than shops of similar quality.
Second of all, the shopkeepers complimented me on my granny shoes. Now I love them. (I’m so easy, I know.)
Third of all, they are working on an expansion that will connect the space next door. And not just any space — Parka, which is poised to be the raddest café in history with partners like Dogwood, Victory 44 and Rustica Bakery. It’s too good. My brain might explode.
That’s the kinda thing that makes a girl wanna move to Longfellow with a quickness.