George Ryan of Bloomington and his daughter Kim Hughes of Woodbury enjoy lunch at Angelina’s Kitchen at Valley Creek and Woodbury Drive, in Woodbury in December 2015. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Angelina’s Kitchen in the Eagle Valley retail area at Valley Creek and Woodbury Drive, Woodbury. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Shrimp Risotto with cremini mushrooms and fresh spinach at Angelina’s Kitchen in Woodbury. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Tamarack Hills shopping center is at Bielenberg Drive and Tamarack Road in Woodbury. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Rebecca LeVander of Woodbury checks out a rack of dresses at Primrose Park in the Tamarack Hills shopping center in Woodbury. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Primrose Park in the Tamarack Hills shopping center in Woodbury sells Minnesota-themed items. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Minnesota-themed T-shirts for sale at Primrose Park in Woodbury’s Tamarack Hills shopping center. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Patina on City Centre Drive carries adult coloring books. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
The large Patina store in Woodbury offers a variety of merchandise from furniture to jewelry. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
A sofa by C.R. Laine and armchair by Rowe at Interior Impressions in the Eagle Valley retail area at Valley Creek and Woodbury Drive, Woodbury. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Amy Leferink owns Interior Impressions in the Eagle Valley retail area at Valley Creek and Woodbury Drive, Woodbury. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
A monogrammed pillow by Ryan Studios at Interior Impressions. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Shannon Danielson prepares an order of shredded chicken burrito bowl at Let’s Dish in Woodbury, where customers can assemble meals to take home and make later, or buy meals already assembled. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
Customer Cathleen Bearrood of Eau Claire, Wis., right, buys pre-packaged meals from Ellen Eddy at Let’s Dish in Woodbury in December. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)
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At first glance, Woodbury may appear to be all about big-box retail and specialty storesHe does not know much about his childhood, only that his parents were farmers in Ethiopia,. But a closer look reveals a city rife with local clothing boutiques as well as locally owned home and gift stores. Shopping areas are spread throughout the city, so plan on a driving tour.
In addition to unique shops, take time out for lunch and some playtime. The east metro suburb is also filled with restaurants and leisure spots.
RADIO DRIVE
At Tamarack Village, just south of Interstate 94, The Woods is inspired by cabin fever, life at the lake and seasonal décor, judging from the cozy and festive finds. Cribbage boards, cabin décor and gifts abound. The Woods also features a gourmet foods section, bath and body products and jewelry and fashion accessories. La Vie Boutique, also in Tamarack Village, is where you’ll find sought-after jewelry brands such as Pandora and Swarovski. Waterford crystals and Vera Bradley bags are also part of the mix.
Across the street from Tamarack Village, shoppers looking for home décor and garden pieces should stop in at Sweet Peas Floral at the Seasons Market Shopping Center. While the space is small, there is no lack of sophisticated, elegant pieces for the home. In the same center, The Book Corner offers new and used books, including a large selection of paperbacks.
Further south, you’ll find a few more local boutiques and home stores at City Centre Plaza off Radio Drive near Valley Creek Road. MODE opened last year, offering designer jeans at deep discounts. Grace, Liverpool, James Jeans, Henry and Belle were some of the labels spotted. In addition to jeans, the racks also feature a selection of trendy tops and accessories.
Also at City Centre Plaza, Patina offers a wide selection of well-curated home and gift items ranging from kitchenware to throws. At nearly 6,000 square feet, the Woodbury location is the largest of the locally owned gift boutique line’s seven metro-area stores. With that, expect a larger variety and more to choose from, including furniture.
Still in City Centre Plaza, Kelley Gallery is a destination for art and other creative pieces, featuring work from more than 75 local artists as well as national artists. Offerings include paintings, mixed media, metal sculptures, pottery and jewelry.
WOODBURY DRIVE
Several shops also dot the area around Woodbury Drive.
Near the intersection of Valley Creek Road in Eagle Valley center, Upscale Consignment features designer clothing that is gently used or, on occasion, new with tags still intact, at discounted prices. Pieces from Ralph Lauren, BCBG and J.Crew were on the racks recently. Also in Eagle Valley, Interior Impressions is worth a stop for quality, contemporary home décor and gifts. Design-savvy pieces in a variety of prints and poppy colors can be found here, along with pillows, artwork, lighting and furniture. Jewelry by Elly Preston and Lenny Eva also stand out. Be sure to check out the shop’s bargain corner, which has dishes, tableware, baby gifts and home accessories at 40 to 50 percent off.
Head north, where more shops await at Woodbury Commons on the northeast corner of Woodbury Drive and Hudson Road. Clothes Mentor is a Minnesota-based resale franchise that has several metro locations, including Woodbury. Clothing and accessories are gently used or like-new, at up to 70 percent off retail. Brands include Banana Republic, Anthropologie, Alfani and Anne Klein. Another Minnesota apparel franchise, Plato’s Closet, carries consignment clothing catering to teens and young adults. Trendy labels range from Charlotte Russe and Hollister to Free People and Lucky Brand.
Also in Woodbury Commons, Schuler Shoes strikes a balance between comfort and design. Footwear brands include Frye, Naot, Finn Comfort and Fly London. Nearby, Once Upon a Child is a locally based chain offering gently used children’s clothes and toys.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Off Commerce Drive, Posh Pooch offers high fashion for Fido, plus the latest in dog toys and accessories. Across the street, Pomegranate has stylish and quality home décor and furniture pieces with an eye toward high design.
Amid national retailers, a few locally owned stores can be found at Woodbury Lakes, including fashion boutiques. We recommend Primp, a trendy women’s apparel shop with a youthful vibe. Prices are affordable, and the store will carry only a few pieces of one style. So the chances of someone having the same top or jacket as you are slim.
Another popular boutique with Minnesota roots is Evereve, offering quality, stylish clothing for women that fits a variety of body types, from slim to curvy.
Not too far from Woodbury Lakes, another Minnesota-based national consignment retailer, Turn Style, includes a Woodbury location that offers not only brand-name clothing but also items for the home.
On the corner of Tamarack Road and Bielenberg Drive, Tamarack Hills center includes a few local fashion boutiques. Just opened in November, Primrose Park features pieces that are sophisticated and so on-trend that it feels as if you’re shopping from the latest fashion magazines. Pieces come from Los Angeles, London, France, Spain and elsewhere.
A few doors away, Sisu women’s boutique also features quality and stylish clothing, including coveted labels such as Sanctuary and Yumi. Mainstream Boutique, which has several locations throughout the metro, is popular for its trendy women’s clothing and accessories at affordable prices. Still in Tamarack Hills, Merriment spotlights décor pieces for the abode. Some body-care products and clothing are also in store.
EAT
When it’s time for lunch, Woodbury is home to plenty of diverse, locally owned restaurants. Many offer traditional American fare — from diners and burger spots to sit-down restaurants — but you’ll also find options for cuisine from around the globe.
Recently, Woodbury has enjoyed an influx of contemporary dining spots. Here are a few trendsetters:
For reliable, contemporary dishes and attentive service, and if you’re in the area after 3 p.m., head to the new Sovereign Kitchen for a mix of American and Asian-influenced flavors. It can be as casual or formal as you want. Choose from tuna tataki, scallops, fish and chips, a burger with duck-fat fries, salmon and steak, to name only a few.
Cravings Wine Bar Grille in Tamarack Hills is another contemporary spot. The menu is an inventive fusion of flavors, such as seared tuna with carrot confit and sausage flatbread with mint pesto. But don’t confuse that with the new Crave in Woodbury Lakes — a large, trendy hot spot with an eclectic mix ranging from sushi and bento boxes to burgers and steaks. There are several seating areas to keep things interesting, from booth spots to a sushi counter.
Osteria at Prestwick Golf Club is an elegant place to get a bite to eat — especially when you’re seated at a table overlooking the golf course. Tacos, quesadillas and grilled pizzas as well as a large selection of pastas, steak and seafood options share the New American and Italian-influenced menu. Calamari lovers won’t want to miss the one here.
You can also get Italian fare at Angelina’s Kitchen, a quaint place for pizzas, pastas and fancier entrees such as grilled salmon and marsala-braised beef. Booth seating has been added within the past year for an even cozier setting.
For a more casual setting, the fairly new Tamarack Tap Room is packing a crowd for its dozens of taps as well as a wide-ranging menu of burgers and flatbreads. The menu also includes entrees such as steak, fish and pasta.
Craft Beer and Kitchen is another destination for beer and food. The menu is giant, with items such as reubens, burgers, pastas, steaks, chops and seafood. Asian-influenced dishes such as tempura green beans and lettuce wraps are on the menu, too. The Tavern Grill also provides a large drink and food menu. The appetizer section offers things such as sliders and wings, while entrees include burgers, pastas, meat and seafood entrees as well as the popular build-your-own pizza section. Some worldly fusions such as grilled gyro on naan bread and shrimp po’boy pizza also appear on the menu.
For dessert, the latest contemporary cool spot is Nadia Cakes. The cupcakes have as much pretty decoration, whimsy and originality as the space. Cupcake varieties range from luxurious salted caramel to over-the-top versions such as Dew-Rito. There are plenty of other options for feeding your sweet tooth, such as sundaes, cake pops and cannoli.
PLAY
Call it grocery shopping and a play date all in one. A popular group outing is Let’s Dish, where ingredients for meals are on hand so you can assemble to take home, freeze and reheat to enjoy later. Meal options change monthly and can range from pot pies and mesquite steak tips to jambalaya and sesame chicken.
DIRECTORY
SHOPPING
Off Radio Drive
Kelley Gallery, 8320 City Centre Drive; 651-738-7776
La Vie Boutique, 8306 Tamarack Village; 651-738-8351
MODE, 8320 City Centre Drive; 651-348-8483
Patina, 8320 City Centre Drive; 651-578-2538
Sweet Peas Floral, 783 Radio Drive; 651-730-9115
The Book Corner, 783 Radio Drive; 651-730-0661
The Woods, 8300 Tamarack Village; 651-458-4011
Off Woodbury Drive
Clothes Mentor, 10150 Hudson Road; 651-714-4488
Interior Impressions, 2190 Eagle Creek Lane; 651-337-2184
Once Upon a Child, 10150 Hudson Road; 651-734-9009
Plato’s Closet, 10150 Hudson Road; 651-739-8737
Schuler Shoes, 10150 Hudson Road, 651-731-8700
Upscale Consignment, 2230 Eagle Creek Lane; 651-436-8522
Off the beaten path
Evereve, 9100 Hudson Road; 651-330-7013
Mainstream Boutique, 755 Bielenberg Drive; 651-739-8111
Merriment, 803 Bielenberg Drive; 651-219-4597
Primp, 9020 Hudson Road; 651-493-0954
Primrose Park, 779 Bielenberg Drive; 651-493-3038
Posh Pooch, 650 Commerce Drive; 651-578-7674
Pomegranate, 710 Commerce Drive; 651-738-4898
Turn Style, 9470 Hudson Road; 651-578-6684
Sisu, 755 Bielenberg Drive; 651-436-2076
EAT
Angelina’s Kitchen, 2170 Eagle Creek Lane; 651-998-0474
Craft Beer and Kitchen, 700 Commons Drive; 651-735-1997
Crave, 9100 Hudson Road; 651-756-1000
Cravings Wine Bar Grille, 755 Bielenberg Drive; 651-528-6828
Osteria at Prestwick, 9555 Wedgewood Drive; 651-294-3160
Nadia Cakes, 429 Commerce Drive; 651-314-4444
Sovereign Kitchen and Bar, 10060 City Walk Drive; 651-330-4804
Tamarack Tap Room, 8418 Tamarack Village; 651- 330-2889
The Tavern Grill, 772 Bielenberg Drive; 651-578-3000
PLAY
Let’s Dish, 10150 Hudson Road; 651-730-6600