Grand Old Day – St. Paul, MN

Grand Old Day – St. Paul, MN

by | May 25, 2025 | events/locations, evergreen

Grand Old Day

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Grand Old Day is the largest one-day festival in the upper Midwest!

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Saint Paul’s original Sunday fun-day tradition returns with Grand Old Day on the first Sunday in June. With “the first parade of the summer,” over 150 food vendors, a family fun area, art district, and entertainment district with live music from dozens of the Twin Cities’ favorite bands, there is plenty of fun for the entire family! Grand Old Day, produced by the Grand Avenue Business Association.

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Grand Old Day Schedule

8:00 AM – Grand Old Day Fun Run 5K & Kids 1/2 Mile (Register Here)

9:30 AM – Grand Old Day Parade presented by Flint Hills Resources (Dale St. to Snelling Ave.)

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Food & Arts Vendors

Arts & Nonprofit Zone

Sports & Wellness Zone at Willwerscheid Funeral Home parking lot (Grand & Dunlap)

Family Fun Zone featuring 3M Visiting Wizards at Kowalski’s lot (Grand & Syndicate)

Car Show presented by White Bear Mitsubishi (Grand & Hamline) Contact Chris Jensen at chris.jensen@planethomelending.com to sign up.

12:00 PM – Wiener Dog Races presented by Brian Wagner, Coldwell Banker Realty (Register Here)

Mini Kids Zone at Niko Niko Boba (Grand & Oxford) 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Entertainment and Beverage Gardens

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Live Music on 6 Stages powered in partnership with The Current and Poppy Red Productions

One day. Six stages. Dozens of bands.

Music Passes are required to access five of the live music stages at Grand Old Day!

Purchase your pass before June 1st for a discount. Pit Passes and Premier Parking are limited.

The Grand Stage, powered by The Current and the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment, is free for all ages.

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Event

Grand Old Day

Sunday, June 1st, Sunday, June 7th

Tickets

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Location

Grand Avenue

725 Grand Avenue

St. Paul, MN

View map of location

Grand Old Day spans from Dale to Cretin Avenue

There is parking at the University of St. Thomas Anderson Parking.

Riding Metro Transit and the light rail is encouraged as parking is tight.

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 Directions

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doitinnorth shop/share gallery

70s Saint Paul T-Shirt

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ICYMI

Metro Retail Update: New and Opening-Soon Stores

ICYMI: The Best Hats at the Kentucky Derby

ICYMI: The Best Hats at the Kentucky Derby

by | May 25, 2025 | style/mode

The Best Hats at the Kentucky Derby

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From traditional hats to fascinators and headdresses, the best looks at the 151st running of America’s most fashionable sporting (or Summer) event!

 

When discussing the history of women’s hats in the United States, the designer and author Steven Stolman was reminded of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” in which Joanne wryly asks, “Does anyone still wear a hat?”

Hats come and go in women’s fashion, but there is one place you can always find them. Mr. Stolman is well aware of that. He was in Kentucky to help Britainy Beshear, the first lady of the state, get ready for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, which she was attending in a dress he designed and a hat he helped select.

No American sporting event can match the sartorial splendor of the Derby, and Mr. Stolman, who is no stranger to such affairs, having donned a top hat to attend Britain’s Royal Ascot races, had many opinions on what made a good hat (and many more on fascinators and elaborate headdresses being entirely separate things).

“I think that the whole goal should be that you see a beautiful lady wearing a hat,” he said, “rather than a beautiful hat being worn by a lady.”

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A woman in a pink and white hat, shirt and skirt stands against a white wall.

Britainy Beshear, the first lady of Kentucky, worked with the designer Steven Stolman on her outfit for the Derby.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times
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In Mrs. Beshear’s case, that meant having Mr. Stolman pair a pink-and-white silk check shirt and skirt from his Steven Stolman for J. McLaughlin collection with a hand-blocked white sinamay hat by Gigi Burris that was trimmed with twisted goose feathers.

When looking ahead to the array of hats that would be seen in the crowd on Saturday at Churchill Downs, Mr. Stolman expressed some dismay that more than a few women were likely to choose poorly as they no longer had the help of trained milliners and sales people when shopping.

“Buying a hat online is really risky business because there’s no opportunity to see if it even fits,” he said, adding that “genuine millinery is made to fit the wearer, and that makes all the difference in the world.”

Heavy rain throughout the day complicated things, but the crowd of 147,406, as always, ran the gamut from extreme to understated. And nearly every woman (and plenty of men) still managed to wear a hat, because some traditions are worth keeping, regardless of the weather.

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Profile of a person wearing a large orange and pink hat with pink ribbons and an orange flower.
In Lori Walker’s case, the rain on Saturday created a fun effect on her hat. Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A woman in a transparent hat and large white sunglasses.
Indra Mumba’s sunglasses went so well with her outfit that she kept them on despite the dreary day.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A person wears a colorful patterned dress and a large black hat.
Cathy Shannon was among the attendees who took a break from the weather by finding a dry place inside.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A person looks at the camera wearing a white cowboy hat with orange trim and orange and white flowers and an orange tie with a white shirt.
Jim Oehmcke’s white shirt and hat made his accessories pop.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A person wears a flapper outfit including a large feathered headdress while another person wears an orange pin stripped suit with a brown vest and hat.
Carrie and Jeff Ketterman did not let the weather get in the way of their spectacular ensembles. Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A woman in a floral dress and a red hat cheers while a young man in a blue suit stands next to her.
As the day went on, the party atmosphere managed to come through.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A man in a black hat and gold and black suit stands in a doorway.
Ronnie McCraven went with a loud outfit and an understated hat.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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View from behind of a person wearing a large hat with rainbow colored feathers.
A rainbow of feathers would stand out in any crowd, but a dreary day made it pop even more.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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Profile of a person earing a hat that has toy horses, fencing, and roses on it.
Some hats blurred the line between hats and dioramas. Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A group of people wear yellow tuxedos with white hats while one person wears a yellow floral dress, a yellow sweater and a hat with yellow flowers.
Butter yellow is a color of the moment, and this group was ready for that moment.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A woman in a black and white hat with red flowers in the bow holds a phone while wearing a black jacket.
A large splash of red in a black and white outfit made for a striking look.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A woman in a large hat has a yellow rain coat over her floral dress.
Cheryl Hamilton-Hill leaned in on the rain and added a yellow rain coat to her outfit.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A woman in a large green hat and a rain poncho cheers while standing next to a railing.
A hat this large made you want to see the dress that went with it. Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A person wears a blue furry coat, a patterned cowboy hat, dark sunglasses and large gold and sparkled jewelry.
Bruce Asmussen’s Pabst Blue Ribbon hat was as creative as they come.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A group of people in the stands wear protective rain gear and a variety of hats.
The people who went out to their seats did so in ponchos, with some covering their hats as well.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A man in an orange shirt and hat sits in a chair with a woman in a peach dress sits on his lap.
Albert Smith and Julie Nickel coordinated their outfits nicely. Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A woman in a rain coat looks at her phone against a green wall.
Some rain coats blended more seamlessly than others.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A woman with a pink fascinator.
Svetlana Mumba stood out in pink.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times
…A large group of people cheers in the crowd. They are wearing a variety of hats.
Fascinators, fedoras and baseball hats could all be found at Churchill Downs.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times
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A woman in a white and pink dress has a clear raincoat over it. A man in a blue suit, red tie and straw hat has his arm around her.
A clear raincoat was as unobtrusive as possible, though some people chose to just get rained on.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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Joe Rogers and his daughter, Talea, made some adjustments outside Churchill Downs.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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Amelia Hauschild stayed dry under an overhang with her husband, Martin Garcia.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A person wears a blue flat cap and a blue suit with a stripped tie.
The weather may have been lousy, but Katherine Darius managed to let a smile sneak through while standing under a tree. Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times

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A group of people are seen from behind standing up against a fence. The women in are in dresses and wraps and the men are in blue sport coats and light pants.
The weather left a well-dressed crowd a bit water-logged, with dreams of nicer weather next year.Credit…David Kasnic for The New York Times
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Text by Benjamin Hoffman

Benjamin Hoffman is a senior editor who writes, assigns and edits stories primarily on the intersection between sports, lifestyle and culture.

See more on: Churchill Downs Inc.
Metro Retail Update: New and Opening-Soon Stores

Metro Retail Update: New and Opening-Soon Stores

by | May 18, 2025 | shop/share

Studiiyo

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Spice up your annual wardrobe refresh by hitting some of these new and opening-soon stores across the Twin Cities

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Like flowers, we too tend to assume a period of rebirth when spring rolls around each year. As we shed our winter skins, we turn to fresh manicures, fresh chops, and, above all, fresh wardrobes to revive us after a long season of parka weather. Luckily, the Twin Cities is prepped to accommodate your spring overhauls this year, with a variety of new and opening-soon stores sweeping across its many malls and shopping districts. Check out our list of notable openings to imbue your seasonal shopping with an air of freshness this spring. 

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OPEN NOW: Studiiyo

You might recognize this trendy urban shop from its flagship Studiiyo 23 location in Uptown (or maybe even its second location in Studio City, Los Angeles). Owner Moh Habib has officially extended his sneaker-focused retail experience to Edina, setting up shop at Nolan Mains in the 50th & France neighborhood, and changing the name to simply Studiiyo—derived from the Japanese phrase “iiyo,” meaning “no problem,” “it’s OK,” or “sure, go ahead.” Known as the top Nike and Jordan destination in Minnesota, the shop brings an upscale, artful vibe to 50th & France, melding the effortless cool of street-style fashion with the sophistication of modern Japanese design.  

Studiiyo is known as the top Nike destination in Minnesota

Provided by Studiiyo

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OPEN NOW: New Balance Galleria/COMING SOON: New Balance Mall of America

There have been few comeback stories in fashion quite like that of New Balance—a brand that went from the “uncool” to the height of street-style fashion in less than a decade. The Galleria officially joined this sneaker revival by opening Minnesota’s first standalone New Balance location last fall, and Mall of America will soon follow suit with a New Balance concept store of its own (dates TBD). Shop the coveted trendy running shoes straight off the shelves at Galleria this spring to elevate your everyday style.  

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OPEN NOW: Inkwell Booksellers

The Twin Cities has long been known for its variety of independent bookstores and engaging literary experiences, and its newest bookstore-slash-cafe in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis is sure to extend that reputation. Inkwell Booksellers Co. now occupies the ground floor of Hencen apartments, and curates a selection of over 9,000 books across multiple genres, as well as locally made candles, apparel, and bookmarks. The conjoined cafe inspired by French coffee culture also serves up local favorites, including Wesley Andrews coffee and pastries from Rose Street Patisserie. 

Inkwell Booksellers Co. is open now

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COMING SOON: Alo Mall of America

After opening its first Twin Cities location at Galleria last summer, Alo set its sights on Mall of America, with plans to open a 6,000 square foot store this summer. The cult-followed activewear brand is known for its “studio-to-street” concept, offering elevated athleisure that can seamlessly follow shoppers from the gym to everyday life. A former online-only brand until 2016, Alo’s second Twin Cities location marks a significant achievement in its rapid expansion, with over 50 stores now open across the United States.  

Alo Yoga opened at the Galleria last summer. Mall of America opening soon
Alo’s grand opening at Galleria last June
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COMING SOON: Skims Mall of America

If you’re looking to step into something a bit more comfortable, Los Angeles-based SKIMS will soon be your go-to. Co-founded by Kim Kardashian, the globally popular shapewear brand is set to gain its first physical location in Minnesota, with plans to open at Mall of America in the coming year (dates TBD). Renowned for its size-inclusive offerings and body-positive ethos, SKIMS offers a range of breathable shapewear, swimwear, intimates, and loungewear for men and women.   

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COMING SOON: The Fitting Room, 50th & France

A longtime staple of Minneapolis’ Kingfield neighborhood, The Fitting Room is officially moving to 50th & France, with plans to bring its biannual runway show EVOLVE to the neighborhood on May 3 for its soft opening weekend. The boutique assembles a range of handmade women’s clothing and accessories by independent designers, elevating local talent and bolstering the slow fashion movement.  

Opening soon: The Fitting Room curates pieces from independent designers

Photo by Moments by Marki

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COMING SOON: Luxury Wing Southdale

Southdale Center in Edina is amid an era of massive growth, with a slew of new store openings dotting the horizon this spring and beyond. Among these openings will be the mall’s new luxury wing, set to open in June. Think of it as the Rodeo Drive of Southdale Center—set apart and stocked with high-end designer stores and luxury brands. Among the confirmed brands will be Moncler, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, Gucci, and Burberry. Check out our recent blog on Southdale Center for an additional six store openings to be on the lookout for.  

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COMING SOON: Daiso

Lovers of Japanese culture will be delighted to hear that popular Japanese retail chain Daiso will soon gain a presence in Minnesota. Known for its affordable prices and quirky, innovative products—ranging from onigiri bath bombs to sofa armrest organizers—the diverse lifestyle store is sure to bring a unique cultural shopping experience to the Twin Cities. Daiso will hold its grand opening at Crystal Town Center mall in April  and has plans to open two additional Twin Cities stores this summer.

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The Oval Room Reborn – Minneapolis, MN

The Oval Room Reborn – Minneapolis, MN

by | May 18, 2025 | style/mode

A Retrospective of Minneapolis Designer Fashion Presented by Sip N Bloom & Amy Seeman

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Sip-n-Bloom: For decades, The Oval Room defined luxury fashion in Minneapolis, a space where the city’s most visionary designers and style icons converged. View this iconic legacy is reborn at the Hollywood Theatre Event Center in Northeast Minneapolis—reimagined through a cinematic lens for a new generation of fashion lovers. The fifth-anniversary runway production reimagines The Oval Room in a new light!

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Featuring Fashion and Home Decor by Martin Patrick 3, Hair by Paul Felipe, Makeup by Daria Kruchinina and Models, Berlin Mossak and Riley Rutledge. Styled by Amy Seeman with photos by Profeshie.

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Sponsorship
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Event

The Oval Room

Thursday, May 22nd, 5:30 PM

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Location

 2815 NE Johnson St
Minneapolis, MN
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Como After Hours – St. Paul, MN

Como After Hours – St. Paul, MN

by | May 18, 2025 | eat/drink

Como After Hours

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Como After Hours is a casual night of grown-up fun for a great cause.

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Join us and spend a balmy spring evening exploring Como, and leave the crowds—and the kids—behind. Como After Hours is Como Friends’ adults-only event to benefit the gardens, animals, and free access you love at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

Grab your friends or bring a date, and explore Como like never before—with a drink in hand and nature all around. Wander through the coastal vibes of Como Harbor, the natural beauty of Polar Bear Odyssey, and the golden glow of the African savanna, all while discovering fun facts at interactive discovery hubs highlighting our animals, plants, and conservation efforts.

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• A cash bar • Picnic-style concessions for purchase • Up-close animal and plant experiences • Conservation talks & hands-on activities • All your favorite parts of Como—without the daytime crowds

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Como After Hours May 20! Tickets On Sale Now! - Como Zoo Conservatory

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