When you enter Hunt & Gather, you might feel as if you’re in an art exhibit. Lights of all colors reflect on the walls, chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and oddities surprise you at every corner. Located on 50th and Xerxes in South Minneapolis, Hunt & Gather self-describes as a “vintage amusement store,” holding two levels crammed with clothing, furniture, art, books, and plenty of other eclectic items you’d never expect to walk out with.
The owner, Kristi Stratton, inherited a love for collecting and selling rare antiques from her great-grandfather, a Norwegian immigrant who passionately ran a business selling rare and peculiar items. Stratton opened her own business in 2002, which has remained a beloved standout in the Minneapolis area, especially among eccentric, alternative crowds. The store blurs the lines between art and business, actively rejecting the mundane shopping experience many of us are accustomed to.
The store itself is hard to miss. Plants, clothing, and signage lead the way inside, as if they spilled out of the packed store. Once inside, you can explore their vintage film slides, antique busts, or unsettlingly large collection of dolls. Once you’re done, you can make your way downstairs for clothing, their pinball machine, or even vintage taxidermy. Personally, I gravitate towards their posters and large collection of fun stickers. Just as you’re about to leave, you’re surrounded by nostalgic candies, pins, and extremely friendly staff. No single visit is the same, as items are being brought in as quickly as they sell, which makes for a novel experience each time you come.
Hunt & Gather reinforces a sense of community, with a space for the scrapbookers, art collectors, fashion enthusiasts, and anybody else who may find their way inside. I highly recommend paying them a visit if you’re looking for something vibrant, loud, and exciting on your next shopping trip.
