Just a couple of days before Christmas my friend opK and I headed to Minneapolis to check out the 75% off sale at Bachman’s. I’ve mentioned Bachman’s here before, but for those of you who may not be familiar, it is a local chain of ‘floral, home and garden’ centers. They have been in business since 1885 when the founder began planting vegetable crops on a plot of land in south Minneapolis. That plot of land still contains their flagship store and corporate headquarters.
I normally shop at their Maplewood store, which was their 2nd location and opened in 1990, but the flagship store is a bit larger and opK and I were hoping that there would be a bigger selection of Christmas merch remaining. Spoiler alert, there wasn’t. But we each purchased a few things.
Then we decided that we should check out a couple of other shops while we were in the big city, starting with Loft Antiques.
I have to admit that I rarely actually ‘shop’ at antique stores. I mostly just like to scour them for inspiration, sort of making a mental list of items I should be snatching up at garage/estate sales. Like original oil paintings by unknown artists …
or … LOL … old crusty paint brushes!
See?! I’m not the only one who likes a crusty old brush.
There was a lot of inspiration to be found at Loft.
And by the way, I did ask for permission to take photos in their shop. Most shop owners are perfectly fine with someone taking photos, but every once in a while you run into one who is vehemently opposed. I’m thinking back to a shop Mr. Q and I visited in Summerville, SC. I’m not naming names though, it was not the shop I blogged about back then.
I actually even purchased something at Loft! I couldn’t resist this antique “Merry Christmas” shop signage.
My friend and fellow Reclaiming Beautiful vendor, Amy, has similar signage on the wall at her house (although not Christmas themed, but from an old church) and after seeing hers, I just had to have this one. I’ll probably repaint it, I’m not sure. But either way, I’m looking forward to finding a way to use it in my Christmas decor next year.
There are two more shops worth a visit right next door to Loft Antiques, Clarabel Vintage and A Rare Bird Antiques. They are fairly small and I totally neglected to snap any photos to share with you. But if any of you locals are in the neighborhood, they are worth checking out.
Our ultimate destination though was right across the street from Loft, Hunt & Gather.
opK had never been to Hunt & Gather, and I found it rather difficult to describe it to her before we got there. But I think seeing the outside is a good hint as to what you’ll find on the inside.
But really, how would you describe it?
Here is how they describe themselves on their website …
“a vintage amusement store. groovy. kooky. fresh. unusual. fun oddities & curiosities.”
Yep, that fits.
It’s definitely a feast for the eyes!
It’s your one stop shopping spot for all kinds of things, like silver trays …
souvenir shot glasses…
and creepy dolls!
I have to admit that seeing so much stuff packed into this shop makes my eye twitch just a little. All I can think about is how much work it would be to clear it all out if they ever needed to. I tend to think that way about my own house too, especially this time of year. I always make a New Year’s resolution to start cleaning out drawers and closets, but I rarely follow through. Maybe this year will be different.
How about you? Are you a fan of the ‘more is more’ sort of style? Or are you more of a minimalist? Leave a comment and let me know.
q is for quandie 
Yayyyy! You found one-I LOVE that sign! I missed ALL the after Christmas sales this year🤦🏼♀️😩🤦🏼♀️
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I was totally inspired by your sign!
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Hey. You never mentioned what you found at Bachmans. Love the merry Xmas signage.
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Well, that’s because it wasn’t terribly exciting. I just purchased a trio of small faux xmas trees to hang onto for next year. This way if my bomb box didn’t see this year (I’m not sure if it did or not, I’ll find out tonight), I can put a tree in it and try again next year. I’ll also have a couple of trees to fill other vintage containers for next year.
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I think I’m a more is more person in a way. There are pictures on all of the walls where it’s difficult to see the wall. In the same room are *collections* of stuff that cover the horizontal surfaces. It’s also the dining room/library where there are lots and lots of books. It’s the coziest area in the house, and we love it!
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Oh…and tell us about Bachman’s!
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Unfortunately the xmas merch was totally picked over. So I grabbed three small faux trees and that was about it. Oh … and also about a dozen plastic icicle ornaments that I’ll use next year on an outdoor tree.
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Then you would absolutely LOVE Hunt & Gather!
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Someone just asked me if I was a maximalist or a minimalist. Is there such a thing as a mediumist??? That would be me! My husband would probably call me a maximalist but he hasn’t seen homes that truly are that style. I have to say that since I started my vintage business 6 years ago there’s definitely more decor and layers in our home.
As for cleaning out, we’ll my husband left on the 27th for an off-road trip in Baja. I tore my side of our huge master closet apart the day after he left! So I have no option now except to finish putting it back together. It feels good.
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I think you’ve coined a new term. I would consider myself a mediumist as well 🙂
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I once had someone describe me as a “collector of junk” upon his first visit to my house so NO I am not a minimalist. I COLLECT and enjoy my treasures scattered throughout my house. I always try to clean drawers, cabinets and closets in January but I never seem to get to all of them. I have a similar shop to Hunt and Gather near me called LOOT. It’s always a fun visit.
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I always start out with good intentions in January too. I set a goal of one closet per week … I mean, really, how hard can that be? Yet somehow I never manage to make it past that first closet or two.
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Speaking of more is more, have you ever been to Center for Lost Objects in St. Paul?
It is an experience! 🤣
https://centerforlostobjects.com/
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I’d never heard of them, but clearly I need to pay them a visit. And their website is very entertaining too. I enjoyed the video about their furniture not falling over if you climb on it, because it’s old, and that means it’s solid. Too funny, and I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for sharing Sarah!
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Each year as I put up Christmas. I do a thorough clean of the “Christmas areas “. That’s about as far as I get to the clean out! I’m pooped ! I still have to redecorate my naked areas so I feel I’ve done enough 😂!
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Same here. I took the Christmas village down from above my pine cupboard, but still need to decide what’s going back up there.
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I really had to think about this and I’m definitely an “in-betweener” I love a good mantle or tabletop all dolled up with good stuff, but I love a simple clean look, and Hmmm… my closets are either highly organized or a big mess! It just depends what one I decide to clean?
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I think that makes you a ‘mediumist’ too Kimberly!
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I loved your adventure ♡ I am the less is more type, now!!! You keep me inspired ♡
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I’m glad you enjoyed it Diane!
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I have tried de-cluttering, mostly successful…however I have found that I am happiest with a bit of clutter. I am forever shopping at thrift stores, and I paint furniture, but I try to reason with myself, somewhat of an in out rule, when I bring something home I try to see if there is something I can donate. Or if I am just tired of something that goes into the donation pile too. I will never be a true minimalist, but I’m okay with that.
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I hear you Gillian. I try to go by the one in, one out rule too. We have a fairly small home, so it could easily get totally overwhelmed by too much stuff so I try not to let that happen. At the same time, I do love my non-collections 😉 I just try to keep them corralled.
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I’ve spent many hours Christmas shopping at the Bachman’s in Rochester, MN many years ago. It was always a fun place to visit in the wintertime!!! Thanks for the memories!
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