Revamped Petalina Mercantile features locally sourced gifts, merchandise

DID YOU KNOW? Petalina Mercantile is open year round Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The store, located at 313 Division Street. S in Northfield, is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 46d3a8fc-cf48-4b9b-a025-b0232a5528bf

Petalina Mercantile owners Derek Kruse and Ethan Solheid want their new store to be a destination gift shop.

The 1,900-square-foot store at 313 Division St. S. is located in a historic building dating back to 1910. The space was previously home to the Scandinavian shop Petalina. When Petalina owners Dennis and Karen Vinar retired earlier this year, Kruse and Solheid purchased the store and have since completely revamped the space.

The store’s transformation extends well beyond the name change.

In the front window, rainbow drapes signify that Pride for the LGBTQ+ community “lasts all year long, not just one day or one month,” said Kruse.

Right away, customers will notice that the space has a more wide open interior. Along the stone walls are antique furniture display cases, including an old sewing machine, as well as open shelving units. In the center, is a wooden table, upon which are displayed beautifully tooled charcuterie boards with built in wire cheese cutters, stacked next to a delightfully whimsical handmade picnic basket.

The store’s classy dark green and gold hues are not only eye catching, but inviting and luxurious. Kruse said he wanted the strikingly rich colors to evoke a refined environment where artists’ curated works can be appreciated.

“We are a brick and mortar place where customers can experience the works of local and regional artists,” he said. “At the heart, we’re a gallery that supports functional, unique art.”

The owners have hired two additional employees to cover the weekday hours, since both Kruse and Solheid have full-time jobs far outside the retail realm. Kruse is the director of public safety at St. Olaf College, while Solheid is a deputy in the Rice County Sheriff’s Office.

Both owners said they are pleased to be in business together and to have their new business based in Northfield.

In keeping with the storied history of Northfield, Kruse said they wanted to pay homage to the former store names, which was originally the Paper Petalum, which became Petalina after the Archer House fire; as well as to pay homage to the previous store’s focus on Scandinavian merchandise, stationary and greeting cards.

“I’m a huge history buff,” said Kruse.

Of the store’s 15 vendors, eight have Northfield/Dundas connections, including Allison Albright, Andrea Turini, Kate Chipinski, Kris Davis, Krista Komis, Sarah Grant, Sara Connelly and Liam Cofell-Dwyer.