Step Inside Kittsona Lifestyle

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Kittsona Lifestyle in Grand Forks, ND, and was delighted with what I found. Rustic wood planked walls and elegant chandeliers along with the carefully curated offerings made for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to meet the extremely sweet Tessa Hiney, co-owner of Kittsona, during my visit after working with her to create unique pillows for the store. Tessa and her business partner, Nicole Johnson, began their original store in 2011 in Grand Forks. Since then, they’ve rebranded their store to Kittsona, and expanded to 3 other locations!

Step inside Kittsona Lifestyle with me and get to know this wonderful shop better. Enjoy a little Q&A with Tessa as well!

When someone walks into your store, what do you want them to feel? ​

We want them to feel at home, and comfortable! We love greeting customers with a warm, and genuine smile - our absolute favorite thing is when we get to know customers by name! We are always changing displays around and getting new product. Nicole and I want customers to feel like it's a brand new store every time they come in! 

What inspired you to open a retail store?

 Nicole and I met by chance (or fate as we like to call it). We found that we both saw a big hole in retail shopping for mid-size cities, and knew we wanted to fill it. We each have a very different set of skills, and realized bringing those together would create a very well rounded business! It has turned out to be the best decision either of us has made! 

How did Kittsona Lifestyle get its name? 

We have definitely gone through some transitions with our name! Our original location was on the corner of Kittson Avenue, and 3rd Street in Downtown Grand Forks, ND. We opened our doors to the name Kittson & 3rd in Nov of 2011. Shortly after we realized that our customers affectionately started referring to us as Kittson. We loved it, and ran with it! After a couple of years (and 2 locations later) of operating as Kittson we realized we were limited with the name. It is a common name, geographical location, etc. and we needed a name all our own! We found that Kittsona kept our roots into consideration, but felt more feminine, and most importantly the word was all our own! At the time of our name transition we were working on renovations for our new home + gift location (in our original location on Kittson & 3rd.. More on that in #4). Kittsona Lifestyle felt very natural as we want our brand to embody and promote a well-rounded lifestyle! 

Why did you decide to open a separate store from other Kittsonas just for home décor? ​

In the beginning of 2014 we had bought out a bridal store, and moved locations to it in Downtown Grand Forks. It was a much bigger location, and more conducive to our needs! We left our original location on Kittson & 3rd after the Christmas season in 2013, but knew we couldn't give it up! A full "lifestyle" brand has always been a personal dream of mine, so I knew it would be the perfect opportunity in that location! We have an incredibly supportive community, and knew that Grand Forks was the perfect place to do it! The store incorporates many local goods, and ND + MN specific products. It is amazing to see the excitement from customers about our expansion of product lines! 

Why did you decide to expand your stores, and what are your visions for the future? 

Our lifestyle products will be incorporated into all our locations this year, and we can't wait! Nicole and I don't have enough time in the day to keep up with all of our ideas, but we are always working on getting better! We are focusing on quality, and plan to only improve! 

What specialty pieces is your store known for? 

I don't think we are specifically known for pieces, but more so for intangibles. We always hear positive feedback about our customer service, interesting (and always changing) product, fair prices, community involvement, and now local products! :)

How did the partnership between Nicole and you begin?

We met at a farmer's market in Downtown Grand Forks in the summer of 2011. I was selling my handmade jewelry, and Nicole came by and talked about how much she loved it! Nicole had passed by on her lunch break from her job at a downtown business. Later that day, my mom stopped into that business and started chatting with Nicole. My mom didn't realize Nicole and I had met that day already at the market, and thought that Nicole and I would hit it off. She helped set Nicole and I up for a coffee date, we started talking business, and the rest is history! We are now best friends, and I couldn't imagine doing it without each other! We have very different skills, but the same vision for the business so we like to call it the "perfect partnership"!

What do you most love about owning your own stores?

 ​

We both have a passion for working for a greater purpose. It feels like we can really make an impact with what we are doing, and that is the most rewarding thing of all! 

Shop Kittsona:

HOME GOODS + DECOR

28 S. 3rd Street

Grand Forks, ND 58201

402 DeMers Avenue

Grand Forks, ND 58201

117 N. 4th St.

Bismarck, ND 58501

610 Main Ave.

Fargo, ND 58103

A word of gratitude to Tessa, Nicole and their lovely staff for the interview! 

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Drop me a line at: taeamade@hotmail.com.

Step Inside A Creative Outlet

A Creative Outlet brings whimsy and fun to the downtown area of North Dakota’s capital city of Bismarck. With its creative offerings, the store highlights local handmade artists with its unique displays. Stephanie Smith is the owner and curator of A Creative Outlet, and I’m so excited for you to get to know this beautiful, quaint shop better!

Another unique offering at A Creative Outlet is the presence of a floral shop located inside the store. Crabapple Floral offers gorgeous modern bouquets that are as visually appealing as they are fragrant. This exclusive pairing of stores makes for a one stop shop for your gift buying needs.

If you’re still working on your holiday shopping this season, you’re in luck. A Creative Outlet will have extended hours of 9:30am-7pm on Friday, December 19^th as Santa will be coming to Downtown Bismarck! Find handmade pieces to be treasured for years to come. 

Get to know Steph and ACO better in the following Q & A!

When did your love of handmade begin?

My dad made me a dollhouse when I was about 5 years old. He made all of the fixtures, furniture and even put wallpaper on the walls! I would say that's when I realized how much love and thought goes into handmade creations. Architecture school is where I really started to appreciate craftsmanship. The time, effort and detail that would go into building an architectural model truly makes it an art. 

Are you a crafter yourself? If so, what do you like to make? 

I am constantly sketching and diving into new projects. Being around creative people on a day to day basis inspires creativity, it's contagious! 

What inspired you to open ACO?

Both my husband and I grew up in western North Dakota, and like many others we decided to settle down and raise a family here. There is a great community of young entrepreneurs in Bismarck, especially Downtown, and that energy really inspired me to create a space that celebrates the unique handmade works from around the region. 

How did your partnership with Crabapple Floral begin?

It's such a small world! Kelsey's husband and I work at the same Architecture firm and when they made the move to Bismarck from Grand Forks they were looking for a place for her to continue her business. I had been opening the shop one weekend per month, so with Kelsey being able to be at the shop full time it was the perfect fit! We did some renovations to add a sink, cooler, shelving and other necessities to run a floral shop. It has truly been a perfect match. Kelsey has really created a buzz with her business and continues to amaze me with the unique arrangements that she creates.

When customers step in your store, what can they expect to find?

Upon entering the shop you'll be hit by the most amazing smells from a new shipment of flowers. You'll very likely get caught up giggling through our collection of handmade greeting cards or browsing the unique prints available. We carry a variety of handmade jewelry, leather products, stationary and most recently have added a section to the shop featuring wedding items. 

Why should people shop at ACO for the holidays?

When you're looking for that perfect gift always remember that buying a handmade gift means that you're not only buying an item with an amazing story behind it, but also supporting an artist and helping them to continue to do what they love! 

Shop A Creative Outlet:

303 E. Main Ave.

Bismarck, ND

Thank you to the lovely Steph and Kelsey for their kindness, and for allowing me to feature them in this post! 

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Drop me a line at: taeamade@hotmail.com.

Kindness is Contagious

I'm a huge fan of kindness. Making a positive difference in someone else's life is something I strive for in my day to day living. My husband and I have made it a goal to complete one random act of kindness each month, with nothing expected in return. It's had such an impact on our lives, and made us happier people. 

When I met Diana about a year ago and learned about her Be Nice movement, I knew I wanted to take part. Diana has created boxes customers can buy to spread kindness, called the Be Nice Box. She wrote a blog about completing 365 acts of kindness, which led to her creation of the boxes as a way for others to share in her efforts. 

"As the blog was growing, I was falling in love with the idea of completing good deeds & spreading kindness. I was finding that I was happier, feeling more grounded & really feeling rooted in my community. I wanted to find a way to share that feeling with others across the country. After some brainstorming, the Be Nice Box was born!"  

Through my business, Taea Made, I contributed 100 fiber art bookmarks for this quarter's Be Nice Boxes. My hope in taking part in this project is that it will inspire others to do good and share their talents with others as well.

Let's take a look at the Fall Box I received!

(A sweet hand written note.)

(My favorite part of the box! 30 different kindness tasks :.)

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to take part in this project. Thank you to Diana for asking me to contribute, and for spreading kindness!

(Give Thanks banner from this quarter's Be Nice Box.)

Shop Be Nice Box:

Minneapolis, MN

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Drop me a line at: taeamade@hotmail.com.