Pam Mondale launched a new idea with a nod to the past. Her business, Guild: A Design Collective, operates like the medieval craft groups from which the name derived. In the St. Louis Park store, customers can find not only goods, but also services.
"It's the antique mall business model, but not the floor plan," said Mondale, noting that items from 16 dealers and a few consigners flow seamlessly from one area to another. "I wanted it to have the feel of ABC Carpet & Home in New York -- that sense of warmth; clothing, furniture, home accessories, everything on the first floor."
The 3,500-square-foot space at 4414 Excelsior Av. began life as a pop-up shop during the holidays. But Mondale said solid traffic persuaded the group to expand its mission. On a recent visit, the Guild had vases for $4, Amy Butler prints for $48 and a set of estate sale columns for $495. The store also has handmade jewelry, skin care from online reseller Organic Diva and items from Minnesota farmers markets, such as preserves, honey and soaps.
Many of the dealers hire out for interior design and personal styling. The store rents items for home staging.
The store also hosts monthly seminars on such diverse topics as lamp rewiring, decoupage and faux finishing.
Among the many Twin Cities styling and design vets on the Guild's roster: Jim Hanson and Laurie Luehmann, as well as dealers who maintain their own home decor stores, such as Kelly Dorsey of Nola Home and Shayne Barsness of Style Minneapolis. Vintage furniture recast by upholsterer Debra Pesek joins new items ranging from Mondale's peace sign products to Jennifer Finlay's handmade wine bottle candles.
Stylist Gwen Leeds, whose colorful clothing picks mingle with those of June Resale owner Daune Stinson, described the Guild as "a best-of place" that provides contributors a location to "show their wares without having to own a full-fledged boutique."
The collective is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment (952-378-1815). It announces its seminars and events, which take place the second Saturday of each month, on its blog, guildcollective.wordpress.com. The March 13 event is on entertaining and tabletop design and will feature a trunk show.
