RMMB Favorite Things 2017

At Rochester MN Moms Blog there is no question that we are passionate about all things local.  We love to support local artisans, creators, designers, and business owners.  That’s why are are so proud to bring you this list of our Favorite Things from SE Minnesota.  Whether it be a product or a locally owned shop (many of them mom-owned), all of these items are available in our region.  We hope you will support these local businesses.  Here are our favorite items for 2017!

Offset Printing is a boutique screen printing studio located in the heart of downtown Rochester. They focus on creating great designs that you’ll  enjoy wearing time and again. Offset printing has a variety of products and techniques available to print anything from mugs, to shirts, to totes and much more! All hand created, Offset is the answer for all your custom print needs!

WHY WE LOVE IT: How many times have you thought it would be cool to have just one custom mug or shirt or two but you don’t want to have to pay an arm and a leg online? Offset can print small (even just one!) to large quantities and even help you create a design.  From birth announcement onesies to team shirts, Offset can do it all! *Special Note* These mugs and totes will soon be available for you to purchase to flaunt your #rochmn mama style!  Stay tuned!

Old skills made new again! The Root Cellar features a curated mix of do-it-yourself urban homesteading supplies and gifts as well as homesteading and cooking classes and events. Located just inside Forager Brewery’s Kutzky Market, The Root Cellar is a perfect place to pick up a gift or supplies for your latest urban homesteading adventure (for us that means fermented veggies)! 

WHY WE LOVE IT: This tea towel is the perfect addition to add a bit of farmhouse chic to your kitchen decor.  The chickens are whimsical and sure to bring a smile to your face.  The recycled book is clever and helps us teach our children about sustainability and the importance of caring for our environment and surroundings.

Flapdoodles is a family owned, Rochester MN original ice cream shop established in 2011. All of the ice cream is made in small batches with original recipes on site at the newly opened south store, and can be enjoyed in the fun and whimsical surroundings of either of the two Rochester locations.

The featured item is the Flagship: three scoops of delicious homemade ice cream with upside down mini cones on top of the scoops. The Flagship is meant to resemble a large sailboat, which is a prominent theme on the menu!

WHY WE LOVE IT: What’s not to love about locally made ice cream?  The stores are fun and smell AMAZING and the flavors are creative and seriously delicious.  Salty Carmel or Apple Pie, anyone?  Plus, the North location has a drive-thru…for ICE CREAM.

Gather + Nest Studio believes in handmade, thoughtful details for life’s special moments and places. They specialize in hand lettering, modern calligraphy, and styling for weddings, events, and interiors.

WHY WE LOVE IT:  Hand lettered coasters with custom calligraphy are the perfect way to elevate your dining and entertainment spaces. With clever and witty sayings, these sweet coasters are the perfect gift and are sure to be a conversation starter!

Made from scratch – Made just for you – Made to order – Everytime! The freshest “Minnesota-nice” cupcakes in town. With a personal touch to every order, Julie from You Betcha Cupcake will ensure that your special event – or just a regular old day – will be special! Can’t decide on a flavor?  Order a cupcake flight…4 mini cupcakes in 4 different flavors!

WHY WE LOVE IT: With 24 flavors, there is sure to be something that pleases every palette!  Our favorites are S’mores and the Minnesota Cupcake (of course).  You Betcha Cupcakes are Taste of Home award-winning…you can’t go wrong!

With a focus on the preparation of specialty coffee and tea, Cafe Steam serves as a welcoming environment for local friends, artists, entrepreneurs and community leaders. Café Steam seeks to create drinks and a space that is representative of the dynamic and vibrant Rochester that we know and love.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Café Steam’s Organic House Made Chai is the perfect blend of 7 traditional spices provided through The Peoples Food Co-op, locally sourced Bee-Shed honey (another RMMB Favorite Thing!), and direct imported tea from locally owned Mandala Tea. After months of trial and error they have perfected a complex and harmonious Chai that provides just enough energy for you to conquer the toughest of days!

Crooked Pine Farm & Goods LLC is a family affair that was founded in 2011 amidst the rolling hills and fields of Lewiston, MN. Every product is formulated on the farm and crafted by hand. Crooked Pine Farm & Goods LLC is devoted to offering holistic, plant based skincare from head to toe.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A powerhouse of healing herbs done by cold infusion, essential oils and menthol crystals, Spring Chicken Muscle & Joint Balm targets aches and pains. An excellent multi use product, Spring Chicken also does wonders for tension headaches, cold & flu and menstrual cramps.

Honeybees conspire with prairie and woodland flowers to combine the energy of the sun and the minerals of the earth into the perfect natural energy source – Honey! The Bee Shed has apiaries all around Rochester and sell a variety of honey products in regional stores and online. 

WHY WE LOVE IT: They’ve blended their raw honey with ground vanilla beans to make the perfect sweet treat for toast or tea. A seriously special treat and perfect for gift giving!

Back for a second year, we have seen Gardenaire flourish in just one year. Founded in Rochester by a mother-daughter duo, Gardenaire celebrates its Minnesota roots by using organic produce and herbs to create exciting flavors for food and drink. Gardenaire’s current products include shrubs (drinking vinegars), infused syrups, spice blends and teas.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The Pretty In Pink Gift Set features two summer favorites. The Grapefruit + Mint shrub, fermented with apple cider vinegar, is delicious added to water (still or sparkling), whisked into a vinaigrette or mixed into a cocktail (we love it with Bourbon or mixed with Prosecco for a hot afternoon). The Strawberry + Basil syrup truly is summer in a bottle and makes a perfect addition to drinks – think lemonades, iced teas, and more!  Try it drizzled over desserts like ice cream or cheesecake. 

Soul Purpose is one of Rochester’s newest shopping boutiques. Expect to find a variety of locally crafted, fair trade, dignity certified products – painted furniture, home decor, jewelry and clothing…an eclectic mix of vintage, rustic and modern. Unique furniture pieces are refinished on-site with a variety of techniques using Fusion Mineral chalk paint.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Truly a unique shop, it’s never quite the same place twice.   We especially love the focus on ethical, fair trade and dignity-certified products. Thistle Farms hand lotion is handmade by women survivors of human trafficking, prostitution and addiction. The lavender scent is soothing and calming.

Oh, we are big, big fans of Forager Brewery!  Our entire team loves everything about Forager Brewery. From the laid back ambiance, to the patio and live music, the wood-fired pizzas, the specialty small batch craft beers and their garden that surrounds the restaurant (not to mention the best tea-cup light fixture installment in all the land)…what’s not to love about Forager?  Family-friendly and mama-friendly, we encourage you to visit Forager soon and take advantage of all they have to offer.