Shop or Shoppe, either way it's ALL local!

Yippee! Another small business opened this past week, and this one lives and breathes by our local talents. It's Patina's lil' sister store, Shoppe Local, at 50th & Bryant just east of Patina. Offerings range from fresh Ames Honey and Apples, music by Solid Gold and Tapes n Tapes, clothing by Foat, readers by EyeBobs and my personal fav, art from the 2007 AIGA design show 35W Bridge Poster contest.

As you know Radar loves local, so this is a high recommendation for your upcoming holiday shopping. And with the fresh products from local farms, it's sure to be an ever-changing shopping experience. Stop in, shoppe to your local hearts content. And let them know, Radar sent you!

Mad for Modern

I have a soft spot, (which began 9 yrs ago as an obsession) for mid-century modern. I thought the obsession was going to be a phase, but today my love for it continues. Part of that obsession included driving by a flat-roofed mod home just around the corner from my apartment in Uptown. I would slowly drive by and wonder when, not if, I would get to see inside that mysterious modern masterpiece.

In 2002 Tim and I move moved into that home, I still pinch myself 9 years later. It was built in 1949 - true to the title of my favorite era in architecture and design.

So this personal passion of mine has overlapped into a perfect professional project. Radar was just brought in to handle the coordinating for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and their "Modern Module" event at Christ Church Lutheran in Mpls. Christ Church, first constructed in 1949, is on the National Register of Historical places and was designed by masters father and son architects, Eliel Saarinen and Eero Saarinen.

Details on this event, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 6-10: National Trust for Historic Preservation is holding a series of events designed to focus attention on places from the recent past, including Modern buildings and landscapes and other socially and culturally important post-war resources. Called “Modern Modules,” the two-day events held in cities across the country will kick off with a panel discussion on leading-edge topics in the field of preserving modern and recent past places.

Local bonus, food by Chow Girls, desserts by Beyond Chocolates and retro tunes spinning by Jake Rudh.

If you can't make the event, Radar highly recommends taking in a tour of Christ Church or a Sunday service. And a church insider shared that Saarinen's daughter/granddaughter, Susan Saarinen, a landscape architect, has committed to re-designing the Church's landscape. This is believed to make Christ Church the only public project in the world to have 3 generations of Saarinens.

Not Six, Seven for the Calendar

My calendar is filling up with events that allow for local community support and local (I'm gonna say it, holiday) shopping, Radar encourages you to add them to your calendars...

Starting tonight, the greenest of green events, Free - Eco Boudoir at Twin Cities Green.



The most unique line-up of green offerings I've seen, such as:

• Live Eco-Sleepwear/Underwear/Lingerie Fashion Show
• Workshop from Smitten Kitten - Uptown's own progressive adult toy and equipment shop!
• Local decadent treats and organic cocktails courtesy of our sponsors!
• HOT HOT HOT Organic mattress demonstrations!
• Make your own underwear from reclaimed fabric workshop - sponsored by the Do It Green! Resource Center

Opening tomorrow, Fri, Oct, 9 - StyledLife's new FlagShip store in the Galleria. if you are a Radar follower, you know I am a huge fan of this retailer, Kevin Quinn and his team do everything right. For some insight on this fashion, trend and brand ultra-forward thinking new store, read AliShops blog.

Sat, October 10th, 10am-Noon,Free. If you're a modern lover, this home tour supports conservation, it's a national organization I've been following, Docomomo (DOcumentation and COnservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the MOdern MOvement)


Sat, October 10th, 6-9 pm, Free. Art at 801, art too risky to purchase as a gift? Just getting out and supporting it gives our art community a lift.

Wed, Oct 14th, 6-8 pm - "A Men's night of Distinction"



Monday, Nov, 2th & Dec 7th - First Mondays at The Commodore - No formal site or invitation for this hidden two time holiday shopping event in the classic 1940s space of the Commodore Hotel in St Paul. One vendor I highly support is VintageWearsWares, Sheila will be there with her stellar vintage steals.

Thurs, November 5th, 5-9 pm, Maiden Minnesota - A celebration of Minnesota-based, women-owned companies, many that have been recognized as leaders in creative design. The fun, socializing and charitable shopping event will feature goods and services by leading women-owned businesses, as well as help support and raise awareness for Free Arts Minnesota, dedicated to bringing the healing powers of artistic expression into the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families.


Have something on your calendar Radar should know about?

It's what you'll Crave

Event-planner extraordinaire, Geri Wolf w/StyleLaboratory, invited Radar to the Crave West End private preview party on Saturday night. This St Louis Park location is the 3rd Crave restaurant to open for this local mini chain, other locations are the Galleria and MOA locations.

I wasn't sure what to expect at this party as Radar is a newbie to this type of invitation. But knowing Geri was involved, I was confident it would be a hit, and it was beyond that. It appeared Geri's Rolodex was in attendance. Tim and I arrived to a buzzing outdoor scene, valets, red carpet, pumping DJ music.



Once inside the energy was as big as the expansive space and food offerings of this St Louis Park hot spot. Menu ranges from classic creative American to sushi and much inbetween. All food focuses on fresh, local, organic and locally grown. We sampled the Nigiri and Maki sushi (delightfully fresh), the Chicken stir-fry with Vegetables, fantastic spicy flavors, and was displayed is perfect food fashion with Chinese to-go containers at the ready...


tried to nab the Mini Burgers, but they flew by, the pasta bar was a hit with creamy and classic options - Baked Truffle Macaroni, Roasted Chicken and Penne.


Drinks were flowing from the bar as well, complete with flat screens at every angle. My favorite design element was the large scale glass-enclosed wine cellar.






The new West End area seems to be a home-run for SLP. And whether you want to dine with friends, employees, family or just stop in to catch the unstoppable MN sports scene, after one visit, I bet you will thirst for, desire, long for, jones for Crave West End.

Looking for a spot to wear your purple?