It’s official, and sweet: Strawberry Patch, a children’s boutique shop specializing in vintage and handcrafted goods moved from Stillwater to White Bear Lake. And we’re not talking about strawberries, the fruit; we’re talking about a red-haired woman, Katie Nuss, the shop owner and creator.
Nuss, it turns out, began rearranging and decorating spaces back in grade school. “I created little vignettes using things around the house,” Nuss says. “I had older furniture, so my love for vintage started then. I used sheets, fabric, whatever for curtains, and to partition off parts of my room." It continued during high school, when she took some interior design classes and worked on set building for theater. Now, as a stay-at-home mom of four from Grant, she loves to whimsically decorate her children’s bedrooms seasonally with trees, wreaths and light strands.
With her love of decorating, and ample amounts of available time when her youngest son started school, she set out to fulfill a dream of owning her own shop. Strawberry Patch was open in Stillwater for a year, and moved to White Bear Lake last November when she needed a more visible, open and brighter location. “The new space has offered more than what I could have wished for,” Nuss says. “The space is larger and has much more parking.”
Walking into Strawberry Patch, to the scent of candles, the sight of vintage inspired accessories and the sound of children in the TV craft corner, there is something bound to catch your eye. You’ll find one-of-a-kind repurposed furniture, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, blankets, as well as aromatherapy bath salts, candles and more. Nuss, who supports local vendors, is constantly rearranging and decorating the space with seasonal and holiday décor geared towards children, moms and families. She also offers design consultation services, classes, mom’s night out events and story time.
Nuss also touched on the importance of being a mother, and continually playing an active role in her children’s lives. She feels blessed to be in White Bear Lake, where her family and friends live. “I couldn’t be more pleased to be among a supportive community,” she says.
Some sweet Strawberry Patch gift ideas for Mother’s Day
Gift cards of any amount are available for classes and services.
Strawberry Body Care Basket
The basket contains Strawberry Daquiri sugar scrub, Strawberry lip scrub, lip balm and lotion bar. $32
Gilmore Girls Candles
100 percent soy wax candles inspired by the show's most popular characters, locations and moments. They come in a variety of scents, such as Richard’s study and coffee at Luke’s Diner. It’s a way to get sensationally involved in the Gilmore Girls show. $12–$20
Vintage Valley Girl Jewelry
These eclectic and one-of-a-kind pieces are recreated from vintage items. $20–$80
Hours: The second weekend of every month, Thursday thru Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Event: Highway 61 Junk Jaunt will be held on May 10–12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a weekend to gather your friends and tour locally owned shops along Hwy. 61 from White Bear Lake to Forest Lake.
