Northfield’s latest shops embrace ‘do good, feel good’ philosophy

Walk into the All Good Things gift shop on Division Street in Northfield and you’ll be greeted with a smile and an enthusiastic explanation that items in the store, from jewelry to bath and body products, are made by people with disabilities.

A block away, Soulstice Boutique prominently displays signage that its clothing, jewelry and accessories are sourced from vendors with give-back programs — environmental, Race for the Cure and Doctors Without Borders among them — or practice ethical and sustainable work environments. Just around the corner, Mercado Local provides free retail space to immigrant communities to showcase artisan wares, snacks and other goods.

Downtown Northfield has long been a destination to shop local art, boutiques and antiques. These days, the college town 40 miles south of the Twin Cities is also carving out a niche for itself in conscious consumerism. Whether it’s a commitment to social, ethical, environmental or sustainability causes, these three shops are leading the charge.

As a mom of two kids with Down syndrome, Katie McElroy set out to bridge a gap with an online business selling advocacy and awareness apparel and products.

As the business caught on, someone commented how much they loved the products and asked if she had a storefront. That sparked an idea that came to fruition with All Good Things, a gift shop in downtown Northfield that opened a year ago, nine years after her online business launched.

This time, McElroy expanded the awareness concept. Gifts are made by people with intellectual disabilities, or by companies with strong programs employing them. Having attended conferences such as Dear Mom, a gathering of parents of kids with Down syndrome, she’s made connections with several makers around the country. Two artists, one who makes decorative trays and friendship bracelets and another who makes jewelry, also work at the store.

“I thought, well, it could be really cool where we have a place to highlight the products they make,” she said. “It’s a different concept, but also so very important — and the conversations that come with it.”

Next up, she is looking for a space to further highlight her artists who could teach classes in making home decor items, jewelry and more.

“The idea is that the community is engaging with these adults and maybe it’s making something and leaving with something they’ve made together,” she said. “We’re constantly trying to look at new ways to share advocacy and awareness and inclusion.”

305 Division St., Northfield; Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; bit.ly/AllGoodThingsShop

Shopping for a cause is the mantra at this boutique, where 80% of brands carried have give-back programs or promote sustainability and fair-trade practices.

Elizabeth Spaulding Vvenker is behind the endeavor. Inspired by her travels, she returned to the area where she grew up and opened the boutique.

Spaulding Vvenker partners with companies supporting organizations such as Dress for Success, Race for the Cure and Doctors Without Borders, as well as causes including clean waterways and animal preservation.

Reducing waste and keeping things out of landfills is also near and dear to her heart, and Spaulding Vvenker carefully curates boutique-worthy pieces that have been upcycled from recycled water bottles, denim and more. Each item at the store comes with information of its origins or the cause it helps support, whether jewelry, handbags, clothing, art or gift items.

“Education is huge; if it’s a little more expensive, it’s because you’re paying a fair, livable wage. Fast fashion is very dangerous because it’s so wasteful, and I think people are starting to become more mindful of that,” she said.

“It’s such a different way of thinking about shopping... the look good, do good, feel good — the warm and fuzzy of it.”

425 Division St. S., Northfield; Mon. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Thu. till 5:30 p.m.), Sun. noon-4 p.m.; mnsoulsticeboutique.com

Mar Valdecantos, director of Rice County Neighbors United, which runs Mercado Local, said the retail format gives community members who might not be able to afford individual storefronts a space while highlighting Northfield’s diverse community.

“People come into the store from out of town and say they didn’t know Northfield has such a large immigrant population,” said Valdecantos, who is originally from Spain and carries hard-to-come-by Spanish snacks she grew up on.

The concept has come a long way since its days as a pop-up market at the Northfield Depot. The space, which rolled out in late 2023, now also acts as a gathering place for the larger community, from hosting artists’ events to tours for students at nearby Carleton College taking civic engagement classes.

“This raises awareness and gives immigrant communities representation and visibility in a good way,“ said Valdecantos, who hopes to continue to secure funding. ”I’m working really, really hard to make everything sustainable so we can be here for a long time.”

108 E. 5th St., Northfield; Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m.; ricecountyneighborsunited.org/mercado-local