5 Locally-Owned Shops to Find Unique Home Decor
one of the fun parts about moving into a new space is decorating it with your own personal flare
McKenna Scherer, photos by Andrea Paulseth
Show off some flare through furnishings, art, trinkets, and more for your apartment or living space to turn it into a true home. While big box stores may come with aisles and aisles of items, these locally-owned and operated shops are host to carefully curated, funky, and beautiful wares, some of them handmade by folks right here in the Chippewa Valley.
1. The Gilded Faun
110 Main St. W, Suite 1A, Menomonie | Website
Though located off of Menomonie's Main St., stepping into The Gilded Faun is like traveling into a fantastical world only found in the pages of fiction novels. With enchanting floral arrangements available for perusing and purchase, trinkets and wares can be found along every surface and around every corner, including locally-made art and other wares and oddities. Candles, glassware and pottery, stickers and stationary, sun catchers, throw pillows, and more await you at The Gilded Faun.
2. Collective Charm
16 W Columbia St., Chippewa Falls | Website
You could easily lose track of time wandering up, down, and through Collective Charm's dozens of vendor booths, unique wares, and vintage goods tucked into every nook and cranny, all part of its namesake “Charm.” With more than 60 merchants housed under one roof, it is actually fairly difficult to leave without bringing something home with you, let alone if you are hoping to bring some treasures home! From paintings to posters and comic books to jewelry, furniture pieces like dressers, kitchen tables and chairs, vintage jackets and clothing, glassware galore, neon beer and alcohol signage, vinyl records, and more, Collective Charm is truly a treasure trove.
3. Geek Chic
930 Galloway St., Building 13, Suite 3, Eau Claire | Website
Geek Chic is a playful, vintage-filled space in Banbury Place’s Building 13, its name perfectly encompassing its origins and what you'll find within, all things geeky and chic! With its own multiverse of goods, you'll find loads of comics and memorabilia from the likes of Star Wars, Marvel, Star Trek, Funko Pops, Disney, and more, alongside its vintage offerings including lots of clothing to plate sets and glassware, books and vinyl records, trinkets, board games, and more. Make some time to take a stroll through Geek Chic – who knows, you may reignite your inner child's interests or indulge in unique treasures.
4. The Raggedy Man
215 N Barstow St., Eau Claire | Website
If I must be with a man for the rest of my days, let it be The Raggedy Man. With aesthetic finds and items that will give you a shock and a belly laugh, this downtown Eau Claire shop is eclectic and thoughtful with homewares for just about anyone. Large botanical and vintage-style posters can be found rolled up or draped near the register, plenty of greenery and pottery strewn about, kitchen cloths (often donning good-humored crude sayings) and goods, candles and bath essentials, rugs, wall art, and more filling its shelves. Plus, you'll be greeted by resident fluffy friend, Kaya.
5. The Local Store
205 N Dewey St., Eau Claire | Website
The brick building with the green awnings is hard to miss, especially once you know the near-endless goods just waiting for you to pick them up and take 'em home with you. Filled to the ceiling – there are even some things hung from the ceiling, like wind chimes, tapestries, and a seasonal bicycle (yes, an actual bicycle) – with locally-made art from pottery to wood carvings, to books and art prints, as well as graphic tees and baseball caps inspired by Chippewa Valley classics and sayings. There’s a kids section, a cheese and meat cooler, a separate snacks section, and an art gallery with all types of prints and art. Find your next wall hanging, mug, coffee table book, blanket, or glassware treasure right on Dewey Street.