Minnehaha Mile — a stretch of shops along Minnehaha Avenue and some offshoot streets nearby — is an emerging shopping district in Minneapolis’ Longfellow neighborhood like no other. The area is home to quirky, locally owned shops with plenty of heart and soul.

The area is especially a destination for shopping antique, vintage, repurposed and upcycled pieces as well as specialty stores. Enjoy a bite to eat at one of the neighborhood eateries or take in the area’s arts and entertainment scene.

Here’s a selection of shops, some officially part of Minnehaha Mile, others we found while strolling the vicinity. Your best strategy is to come up with a game plan of shops to walk or drive to, depending on how far apart the stores are you want to visit. While most stores have regular retail hours, a few have limited hours, so plan accordingly.

Start on 46th Street just east of Minnehaha Avenue, where Solid State is a spot to sift through a well-curated selection of used and new records. In addition to vinyl, the shop also buys and sells CDs, cassettes and other music options. On the corner of Minnehaha and 45th Street, Minnehaha Falls Nursery & Landscaping offers a wide range of items for your landscape and garden needs, from garden art to pots as well as gifts for those green-thumb enthusiasts in your life. Design and installation services are also offered here.

Three blocks north, find a few places to shop all on the same block along Minnehaha between 41st and 42nd streets. With the tagline “gifts and guidance for the soul,” Awakenings is a place to shop a wide variety of health, wellness and spiritual-related items from essential oils and bath salts to Himalayan lamps and crystals.

At the time of our visit, The Nature of Beauty eco-beauty boutique was not open yet, but is expected to soon and will spotlight organic and natural beauty products in skin care, hair care, makeup and beyond. According to the owner, a grand opening is slated for sometime in March. Also on the same block, MPLS Frame Shop not only offers custom framing services, but it is also a destination to shop wall art in various media, from layered images to paintings. If you’re looking for larger-than-life statement pieces, those are carried here, too.

Just north of 41st Street, more shops can be found, including several vintage, repurposed and antiques stores. There’s plenty to browse at the sizable, 3,000-square-foot Junket: Tossed & Found. The shop features an eclectic assortment of vintage as well as creative reused, repurposed and locally made pieces. Items include furniture, home accessories, apparel and art. The spot also hosts classes, including learning Suminagashi, the Japanese floating ink art, and how to repurpose vintage books.

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The Lectric XP electric bike is a bit crude, but has quality where it counts Continue north, where Time Bomb Vintage features flashback pieces, including an impressive selection of collectibles such as toys, stylish vintage clothing and midcentury and art deco home pieces. Repurposed and locally made products are also in stock.

A block north, the eclectic E’s Emporium, open the first and third full weekends each month, is anything but boring. The occasional shop spotlights 1950s through ’80s furniture and household pieces as well as local art. Standouts include unique lamp shades and throw pillows.

Turquoise Vintage is a shoppers’ haven for those who want quality, stylish, eye-popping vintage pieces. The Pyrex collection here is the biggest we’ve seen, where pieces seem to come in every pattern, shape and size. Designer clothes and midcentury pieces are also a draw.

At Minnehaha and 39th, Meseret’s Market spotlights spices, beans, Ethiopian flatbread and other foods common in Ethiopian cuisine that might not easily be found at mainstream marts. Clothing, kitchen accessories and decor are also offered. A block away, Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio is a place to shop art with a conscious. Grassroots and social justice posters and cards can be found here in categories such as Seeds of Peace, Labor and Justice.

Next, The Fix Studio is not only a draw for its serious cycling and running classes with state-of-the-art equipment, but it’s also a place to shop hydration mixes, energy bars, bikes, helmets and other accessories for the active lifestyle. On the same block, Paris Antique and Gifts offers a range of antique and contemporary home decor and gift items. Standouts included unique lamps and jewelry. During the warm weather months, enjoy its “Paris Courtyard” in the back yard. The store is open Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment.

A few blocks south at Minnehaha and 34th, Strange Boutique features a mix of vintage, antique and repurposed pieces such as furniture, home decor, clothing and jewelry. Next door, Heroic Goods & Games is a place to shop new board and card games as well as vintage and retro video games.

In late November, Moon Palace Bookstore opened on Minnehaha and 30th, two blocks north of its previous location. The store’s new-release section as well as its selection of local, national and international authors is just as thoughtfully chosen as ever. The larger space will allow the bookstore to eventually open a cafe in the space, which will serve beer, wine and pizza.

Not too far away just south of Lake Street and east of Minnehaha Avenue, Glass Endeavors spotlights stained, fused and mosaic glass art and offers everything from windows to lamp shades, not to mention custom creations. The spot is also a place to shop gifts. Classes are also available.

EAT

Hungry? There are plenty of places on Minnehaha Avenue and nearby to grab a bite.

The Howe Daily Kitchen and Bar is a contemporary spot that draws crowds for its craft cocktails, 40 beers on tap and menu of salads, soups, wraps, burgers and broasted chicken.

On Minnehaha, Parkway Pizza is a popular neighborhood institution. Recently, Parkway Pizza owners joined the movement led by Red’s Savoy to declare “Minnesota Style Pizza” — thin crust pizzas loaded with toppings, served under the cheese and cut into squares — on its menu. Hoagies and various pastas are also on the menu.

For more diverse tastes, Dumpling offers Vietnamese, Chinese and Cambodian comfort food. Small plates such as shrimp and beef skewers and, of course, dumplings are on the menu. Varieties get creative, such as dumplings with falafel or squash. Entrees include kimchi fried rice, pad Thai and ramen.

For some of the most authentic and affordable Mexican fare in the area, order at the counter of Taqueria Mi Guanajuato, tucked inside a convenience store. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, gorditas and sopas are on the menu. The spot is cash-only, so come prepared. Seating is limited to a small counter and a four-top table.

Peace Coffee, known for its fair trade, organic beans, also has coffee shops in the Twin Cities. The Minnehaha one, referred to as the Wonderland Park location, offers a range of traditional to fancier java. The spot also carries well-selected local bites, such as pastries from Patisserie 46 and bagels from St. Paul Bagelry. Another option for coffee along Minnehaha Mile is Selam Coffee, across from Meseret Market, serving traditional Ethiopian coffee as well as espresso drinks.

Off Minnehaha, consider a few neighborhood spots to energize yourself. Riverview Cafe & Wine Bar, which is kitty corner from the iconic Riverview movie theater, has long been a neighborhood draw. The cafe and wine bar offers coffee and lighter, casual fare by day. At night, the cozy spot turns into a wine bar with a menu of small plates and entrees such as pizza, steaks, chops and seafood.

Another option is FireRoast Cafe & Wine Bar on the corner of 37th Avenue and 38th Street. The casual spot is a place to grab a cup of java, beer or wine as well as muffins, scones, bars, house-made soups, breakfast and deli sandwiches, burritos and quesadillas.

Come spring, a few more options become available. During the warm weather months, crowds line up at the seasonal Sea Salt Eatery pavilion restaurant for its quality fish and seafood offerings that range from raw oysters to soft shell crab sandwiches. The spot is also a draw for dining al fresco with the pretty backdrop of Minnehaha Park and the falls.

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The Lectric XP electric bike is a bit crude, but has quality where it counts Slated to open this spring, All Square is getting buzz for its unique business format. The gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich spot not only serves up oozing sandwiches cut into squares, but the nonprofit restaurant led by civil rights attorney Emily Hunt Turner and other community leaders seeks to hire and serve as a training institute for those having difficulty finding jobs because of criminal records. A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway and a $1,000 investment gets you free grilled cheese for life.

Also in the spring, The Minnehaha Scoop will return for its second season serving Blue Bunny and Chocolate Shoppe ice creams. Rosati Italian Ice is also on the dessert menu.

PLAY

The area also abounds with entertainment and arts options.

Take a step back in time in the Riverview Theater, playing everything from blockbusters to art films at bargain prices. Moviegoers also have the option of going to TRYLON, a quaint theater screening classic films. It’s worth noting that the spot is cash only at the door, but advanced tickets can be purchased online. Another play option is dancing at Tapestry Folkdance Center, where beginners are welcome, no pre-registration is required for most classes and you can pay at the door. Dance lovers also will want to consider Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center, which is celebrating its 20th year in business. The spot offers drop-in classes for adults ($15) in everything from cardio funk, ballet, tap, hip hop and modern. Youth hip hop is offered on a drop-in basis as well.

DIRECTORY:

> SHOPPING

Awakenings, 4165 Minnehaha Ave. S.; 612-656-9007

E’s Emporium, 3911 Minnehaha Ave. S.; 612-702-5355

Glass Endeavors, 2716 E. 31st St.; 612-721-9553

Heroic Goods & Games, 3456 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-200-9354

Junket Tossed & Found, 4049 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-293-6863

Meseret’s Market, 3867 Minnehaha Ave. S.; 612-354-4419

Minnehaha Falls Nursery & Landscaping, 4461 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-724-5453

Moon Palace Bookstore, 3032 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-454-0455

MPLS Frame Shop, 4145 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-208-0808

Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio, 3745 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-455-2242

Paris Antique & Gifts, 3721 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-729-3110

Solid State, 4022 E. 46th St.; 612-916-0990

Strange Boutique, 3458 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-886-1614

The Fix Studio, 3725 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-220-0215

The Nature of Beauty, 4151 Minnehaha Ave.

Time Bomb Vintage, 4008 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-724-2662

Turquoise Vintage, 3869 Minnehaha Ave.

> EAT

All Square, 4047 Minnehaha Ave.

Dumpling, 4004 Minnehaha Ave. S.; 612-724-8795

Fireroast Cafe, 3800 37th Ave. S.; 612-724-9895

Parkway Pizza, 4359 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-729-9090

Peace Coffee, 3262 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-877-7760

Riverview Cafe & Wine Bar, 3753 42nd Ave. S.; cafe 612-722-7234; wine bar 612-729-4200

Sea Salt Eatery, 4825 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-721-8990

Selam Coffee, 3860 Minnehaha Ave.; 612-722-2768

Taqueria Mi Guanajuato, 3909 Minnehaha Ave. S.; 952-687-1282

The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar, 3675 Minnehaha Ave. S.; 612-729-3663

The Minnehaha Scoop, 3352 Minnehaha Ave. S.

> PLAY