Black Friday Agenda

I don’t mind shopping malls, really. But I intend to avoid
them this Black Friday, not to stave off those bouts of claustrophobia, but to
procure a series of gifts that are either high-quality second-hand or awfully,
awfully special. Here’s the action plan (a working document):

Roam (811 Glenwood Ave.)

It’s the latest store to open on the burgeoning design
corridor of

Glenwood Avenue

;
you’ll find it next to Ligne Roset. Featured lines include Minneapolis’s own Blu Dot as well as some fantastic
Scandinavian-designed minimalist wares, like those from Alessi.

Fashion Avenue (4936 France Ave. S.) Actually, I was just there last weekend and spotted
a half rack of vintage couture, like a gorgeous ‘60s-era emerald-green Yves
Saint-Laurent sweater. Of course, I can’t think of anyone on my list who might
want such a thing. But I’ll be shopping with my mother; and FA is fertile
ground for dropping hints.

Letterbox (2741 Hennepin Ave.) Again, there’s nothing used to be found
(unless you count recycled paper). However, this repository of fine stationery—the
best in the cities, if you ask me—is conveniently located near my house. I plan
to snag a few reams for the smart-ass chicks on my list; those crazy bitches just
lurves fancy stationery. And I suppose I’ll pick up wrapping paper while I’m there, too.
P.S. Letterbox will be serving free hot cocoa to all customers on Saturday and
Sunday.

Local Motion (2813 Hennepin Ave) Again, it’s right in the neighborhood, and I’ll
be dropping more hints. Love those elbow-length leather gloves!

ROBOTlove (
2648 Lyndale Ave. S.) My lucky niece might be getting one of
the locally-made plush dolls above. These are by a Minneapolis-based artist named Curster, or Erin Currie.

Minnesota
Center for Book Arts (1011 Washington Ave. S.) If
they won’t let me buy a gift certificate, redeemable for one of their family-friendly
book-making workshops, then I can at least pick up some supplies for the budding, ten-year-old
author on my list.