The Chinook Book... take some time to check it out!

The Chinook Book- you've heard of it, but have you ever really looked into what it's all about?

I wasn't sure what to write about today, then one of our gift buyers suggested that I take a closer look at this book and let our customers know how great it really is... and she was right, it's a fantastic resource!

 The Chinook Book is a coupon book, resource directory and source for ideas and inspiration, jam-packed with deals from local companies.  There are even maps of Mpls/St Paul neighborhoods, pointing out where you can use a coupon...

There are many considerations as to what companies are included: they are fair and good to their employees and suppliers, they are usually locally owned, they give back to their community, and they try to minimize their impact on the environment.

                          The book includes coupons for: 

• farmer's market
• local grocery
• cooking
• dining
• entertainment
• wellness
• fashion & gifts
• travel & recreation 
• grocery products

Why is it called the Chinook Book?

"We launched our very first book, called Chinook Book, in Portland, Oregon in 1999. The Chinook salmon is one of the most amazing species on the planet. Chinook jargon was the language of commerce used between Native Americans and early settlers throughout the West. This combination of environment and commerce is the essence of Chinook Book – and  who we are as a company." -the Chinook Book Sept 2010 press release

The Bibelot has a coupon...

With this coupon, you will receive 20% your entire purchase of $30 or more... save this one for a big purchase, it's like your own special sale day!

The book has over 350 offers and an app for your Android or iPhone with even more offers... how can you go wrong?  Your money will help to ensure this book with continue year after year and will, invariably, pay for itself (it's $20 and available at all of our locations).

Click here to link to the Chinook Book's website- they have quite a bit more info if you're interested.

The Chinook Book is made for people who strive to make healthy, sustainable choices.  I'd say that's the Bibelot customer! Wouldn't you?

The Bibelot's home base

Here at the Bibelot Shop, 

we have a place called, "the house."  

The House is our corporate office situated very near our Grand Avenue store.  It's located in what looks like just another house on the block, when in fact, it's filled with...  

• the offices of the gift, stationery, and music buyers
• the marketing department
• the web department
• our shipping and receiving department
• our accounting department
• a surprisingly beautiful array of woodwork

Today's post showcases a few gems in "The House."  A well known Confucius quote goes something like this... “Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.”   

Check out the beauty that surrounds us...

The first floor, where the shipping and receiving department is located...

  

The second floor houses the desks of the owner, a few buyers, and our accounting department...

And finally, the third floor.  

This is the marketing department floor...

Life is full of beauty.  Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams. 

 ~ Ashley Smith

Work is work no matter what... but if you take time out of the day to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, work just may be a little easier!

Keepin' it local!

Hey Bibelot fans, 
like to shop local for locally made products?

This one is just for you!

Our buyers work hard to find well made, exciting products that are handmade by artists in good 'ol Minnesota.  Since this is often what customers are looking for, I've compiled a small group of our best sellers in the gift department!  In the next few weeks, I'll work on jewelry, stationery, and even some clothing.

Bungalow Pottery... creamers, bowls, vases, mugs, the list goes on.

Wood From The Hood... salvaged lumber from local trees.

Bryan Becker bowls, made in WI (close enough to "local")!

Boards by Joel, harvested locally. Great for cheese plates, trivets, even cutting boards.

Front Avenue Pottery... natural imagery.

Dock 6 pottery... glistening and magical.

Boreal Stone- jewelry and frames

For those of you enjoy body products or who like a nice smelling home, we even have a few candle and soap makers in the mix!

Thymes... simply the best!

New to the store, Serenade Natural Products.  Smells like real flowers!

Colors made from minerals, candle made from plant and bees wax.

Can't get more pure than 100% beeswax.

Sunleaf Naturals... every single one smells amazing!

Johnston Honey's Helping Hand Cream, a crowd favorite!

Just because we live up here in the North woods, doesn't mean we don't like a little color!  Here are a few bright and fun things made right here!

Utile Mud... make your kitchen a little more sunny!

Brand new to the store!  7two7 Glass!

City in a Jar... wear your favorite landmark!

Trigo monsters... spare change,  please!

Mark Herman prints

Nicole Coffman Glass Stars

Ducky Uglings... the definition of cute!

We even have a couple lamps made by locals!

Jen Hanlon Ash lamps

Ink Orchard

Below is a link to our Minnesota made products on our website.  You can find many things I've listed above as well as a few other products.   

Click here to see our Minnesota made products available online. 

If the item isn't available online, you can call any of our stores and a sales associate can help you out.  

Grand Ave 651.222.0321

Linden Hills 612.925.3175

Saint Anthony 651.646.5651

Northeast 612.379.9300

Of course, there are many, many other things made in Minnesota available at our stores.  This is just a selection of some of my favorites.

Meeting the Neighbors!

Last Wednesday was a bluebird kinda day!

A few of the hundreds of flowers on my walk to work.

I was invited to attend the Grand Avenue Business Association (GABA) Annual Meeting with the Grand Avenue store Manager, Mary and our Marketing gal, Sarah.  The meeting was held at the William Mitchell College of Law.

The evening began as a mixer.  We met a couple of the owners of the Lexington Restaurant and chatted with them a while- they were very friendly!  We also met the manager of Creative Kidstuff, Grand Ave...

Neighboring Managers (the Bibelot Grand Manager is on the left, Creative Kidstuff on the right)!

There was a long table of prizes for a raffle... pizzas, Twins tickets, Wild tickets, jewelry, spa days, the list goes on and on of what you could win!

Prizes from business up and down Grand Ave!

We donated a beautiful dragonfly necklace!

At this point, the Mayor of St Paul, Chris Coleman spoke about small business and how unique and great Grand Avenue is (like we didn't know already)!

He sure likes St Paul!

We then had a glass of wine and sat down at our table.  The Executive Director of GABA spoke, we had dinner which was fab, and then came the desserts, lots and lots of desserts.  Think about seeing all those great treats at Cafe Latte, Wuollet Bakery, Dixie's on Grand, Green Mill, and Grand Ol' Creamery and then getting to choose whatever you want from an entire table FILLED with them!  Talk about lucky!

After filling our bellies with these wonderful sweets, we listened to Sue Evens, GABA's executive director speak.  Then Chad Skally, the GABA president gave us the run down on the annual report...

One of the neatest things they did was read a list of companies that are celebrating big birthdays on the avenue and our store was named!  The Bibelot has been on Grand Ave for 25 years!  But then, a quite a few others got up and blew me away.  A. Johnson floral, for instance, has been here for 76 years!  Now they know how to run a business and keep their customers happy!  Congrats to them!

Before the night was over, we were told to look under our chairs for a couple last minute prizes... and I won, I got to take this gorgeous flower arrangement home!  Thanks, A. Johnson!

It was a whirlwind of a night.  I met so many nice people and am looking forward to greeting them out and about this summer on the Avenue!