John Ewoldt,  Star Tribune
September 9, 2004 JE0909

Three friends from the Minneapolis Washburn High School classes of 1963 and 1964 ditched their husbands and grandkids last week and set out for a little shopping and a smart lunch on their way to the cabin.

Linda Campbell of Eden Prairie, Ginny Hawkins of St. Louis Park and Donna Rognlie of Roseville knew just where to go: They stopped in Buffalo, Minn., during their annual trip to Campbell's lake home near Paynesville.

The three have discovered what many Twin Citians have not -- a picturesque town cuddled up to Buffalo Lake with an abundance of good shopping, casual restaurants, golfing, shoreline fishing and apple orchards. Only 40 miles west of Minneapolis, Buffalo makes a perfect day trip for a warm autumn afternoon and evening.

It's also a good place to find retail trends. When Rosalie Darden started the monthly Second Hand Rose occasional sales eight years ago, she didn't envision hundreds of people lining up for the inexpensive, primitive home furnishings sales or several of her co-workers branching out on their own. Now Buffalo, a town of only 14,000, is home to about five occasional sales, all held the same weekend as Rose's, with her blessing.

Donna Bodin, who owns the Wooden Nickel, noticed how much Darden's customers loved her once-a-month "event" shopping concept. Although her country living store, housed in a 1948 barn, is open daily, she started "girls' night out" parties several years ago. She discounts everything 15 percent and adds a fun theme like "back to the '50s," and hundreds of women join her party.

Retail experts point to successful malls as a blend of shopping and entertainment, a k a "shopertainment." They have nothing on Buffalo. Instead of a climate-controlled box, go west.

Occasional sales

Buffalo has cornered the market on inexpensive vintage home furnishings. But some of the shops are open only the first Thursday through Sunday of each month. The next sale is Oct. 7-10.

Cheryl Neal moved to Buffalo from New Brighton several months ago and thinks prices are lower in Buffalo than in the Twin Cities because the furnishings she finds at occasional sales are "a little rougher around the edges." The furniture is less refined, with less restoration than what may be found in the Twin Cities, she said.

Second Hand Rose (500 2nd Av. NE., 763-684-0124) is the original occasional sale and still the largest. The furnishings are affordable, whimsical and primitive. Even the largest pieces, such as an armoire, are rarely more than $300.

The Porch (32½ Central Av., 763-684-1254), owned by one of Darden's former vendors, is housed in part of the original Buffalo post office built in 1902. Against the old stone walls you'll find a few antiques, some new home decor and shabby chic chandeliers. Darden affectionately describes it as "Second Hand Rose with class."

Barn Chix (1164 Hwy. 25 SE., 612-290-0540) runs occasional sales in an 85-year-old unheated horse barn from May through November. The hay loft boutique on the second floor is filled with shabby chic furniture and vintage accessories at reasonable prices.

In Like Flynn Furnishings (6 E. Division St., 612-730-2324) is owned by another of Darden's former vendors and debuts in October. The owners bring in a variety of flavors of the month: European, Americana, rustic, shabby fancy and seasonal. Small, original oil paintings go for $49 and a painted chest of drawers for $80. Nothing over $200.

Three Sisters Collectibles (18 Central Av., 763-684-0472) also opens in October. About five dealers will sell items that include high-end 18th-century accessories, Red Wing crocks and shabby chic.

Home furnishings

When you can't wait for an occasional sale, these stores are open daily, although a few may be closed Sundays or Mondays.

Who could imagine a better place to shop for country living accessories than a dairy barn? The Buffalo Nickel (1004 S. 3rd St., 763-682-4735, www.buffalonickelantiques.com) is two floors -- 12,000 square feet -- of a mixture of new, vintage and antique wares from 75 vendors. The holiday open house (Nov. 11 through 14) is a big draw when all of the shops raise the rafters with holiday trim.

Home Sweet Home (1010 E. Hwy. 55, 763-682-6278) sells a nice assortment of folk art. New wood hutches and cabinets are reasonably priced. The fall open house Sept. 18 and 19 includes gourmet food samples, giveaways and in-store specials.

Renaissance West (18 1st Av. S., 763-682-5798) is a blend of country and Victorian home furnishings. The big draw is a fine selection of lace curtains, doilies and tabletops. Other highlights include wine decor, an Up North section, porcelain dolls, jewelry, Red Hat Society accessories and a tween girls' corner.

A must-see for home furnishings buyers who cast aside clean, simple and spare for bold colors, textures and patterns is A Wreath of Franklin (11 E. Division St., 763-682-0188, www.awreathoffranklin.com). Framed oils are a strength, as are the sumptuous rugs, lamps, pillows and furniture.

Southern Comfort Living (2 E. Division St., 763-682-7074) could be plopped into downtown Wayzata without missing a beat. The new shop mixes influences from the South, Southwest and Europe in earthy reds, oranges, greens and yellow.

Specialty shops

The most successful small towns paint their retail landscape with a broad variety of retail shops. Buffalo's downtown offers scrapbooking at Scrap n Chat, (15 1st Av. S., 763-682-4959), quilting supplies and fabrics at Lady of the Lake Quilt Shop (1 W. Division St., 763-682-1990), and custom stained glass and supplies at Suzanne's Stained Glass (3 W. Division St., 763-682-4074).

Rebecca's Fashions (2 E. Division St., 763-682-3100) is a new store with affordable plus-size fashions in sizes 1X to 6X.

Buffalo Books and Coffee (6 E. Division St., 763-682-3147) is a cozy, independent bookstore with a coffee shop in the back. The store just opened a second-level deck for light reading, chatting and gazing at the lake.

Traditional antique shops include Annie's Attic (1205 N. Hwy. 25, 763-682-2818), Behind the Picket Fence (30 Central Av., 763-682-9490) and Waldon Woods (2612 E. Hwy. 55, 763-682-5667).

If you're in need of a big-box retail fix, Buffalo has that, too. The newly expanded Wal-Mart SuperCenter opened last week. Grocery prices don't get much lower than at a SuperCenter.

Eats and drinks

BJ's Deli (2 1st Av. S., 763-682-0140) is a town favorite for sandwiches, soups and pies. Best bets include the turkey artichoke ciabatta sandwich for $7, the seafood bisque on Fridays and Saturdays ($3.25), and the rhubarb or peach pies ($2.50). Closed for dinner and on Sundays.

Mill Creek Inn (891 W. County Rd. 35, 763-682-9936) is a family tavern with outdoor seating, knotty pine booths, and a walleye fillet for $7.

A list of golf courses, apple orchards, recreational activities and other shopping options in the Buffalo area can be found at www.buffalo-mn.org or www.buffalochamber.org. Call the tourism office at 763-682-4902.

This article appeared in the Star Tribune on September 9th, 2004.

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