Here’s a quick line up of the newest shops, experiences, restaurants, venues, places to stay and events you must see this year.
Thank you to the Pioneer Press newspaper for this wonderful article: “With the Lift Bridge Closed, Stillwater’s Main Street is Booming!” and KSTP for this TV spot: “Developers Drop $30 Million on Downtown Stillwater” and Star Tribune Magazine for 5 Hottest Small Town Destinations in Minnesota. Exciting things are happening here…please excuse our dust!
Stillwater welcomed the following NEW businesses in the last year or two:
NEW PLACES TO STAY
Hotel Crosby – boutique hotel with large suites, restaurant and rooftop salt water hot-tub on the north end of Main St. (Opened November 2018)
Lora Hotel – boutique hotel and restaurant in historic brewery block on the south end of Main St. (Opened June 2018)
Water Street Inn – renovation to expand 20 more rooms, a rooftop restaurant and new entrance with clock tower (summer 2019)
20+ new vacation home or downtown loft rentals in the area – check out the latest ones added: Durant House, Downtown Loft Getaway, Main Street Retreat, A Spacious Place, Dutchtown Retreat, Dutchtown Retreat, Long Lake Estate, Meadowlark Cottage, and Private Home on Bike Trail.
NEW SHOPS
Smith + Trade Merchantile – Minnesota & St. Croix Valley artisans & classes
Kenzington Boutique – clothing, home decor & gifts. Inside the historic grand garage building
Shop in the City – clothing & gift store inside Shops at 317 Main
Minnesota Made – local apparel design – moved from pop up shop on north hill shop to permanent store front downtown
When Pigs Flew – resale consignment and new women’s fashion & accessories
Magnolias – women’s clothing to size 3X and wool applique & classes
Jori & June – women’s fashion boutique
Riverway Gifts & Flower Shoppe – fresh flowers and local gifts
Enchante – same fabulous women’s fashion boutique moved from Chestnut St. to Main Street
Uncommon Cents – Coin Collectors Shop moved to new location on Main
T-Shirt Factory – moved locations to 232 S. Main
Galeria Saro – art gallery relocated from the Grand Garage to 213 Main St.
Images of the Past – moved from Main Street around the corner to 222 Commercial St.
Let There Be Light Antiques – moving around the corner and will be by appointment only
Scandinavian North – new name, same great imports from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland
NEW EXPERIENCES
The Lumberjack Axe Throwing Bar – We opened The Lumberjack to create a place where visitors can learn about Stillwater’s rich history and locals can find a home.
St. Croix Crossing Bridge & Loop Trail – the new bridge opened in August 2017 and the historic lift bridge closed to vehicle traffic as it undergoes renovations to welcome pedestrians and bikes as part of the St. Croix Loop Trail. Three-quarters of the trail is complete, so you can enjoy biking or walking from downtown Stillwater south over the new bridge to Wisconsin. The final section is delayed until spring 2020. See our new bike trails maps.
Mike’s Electric Bikes – both fat tire or cruiser style electric bike rental a block from the lift bridge
Big River E-Bike & Kayak Rental – downtown rental of both regular and electric bikes, located behind Hotel Crosby
DIRO Outdoors – bike rental downtown at self-rental station and snowshoe rental packages
Comfort Cruiser Electric Bike Rental – park at Gateway Trailside food truck and ride into downtown
Stillwater Escape Room – team puzzle solving experience in JX Event Venue with 3 different rooms to choose from for your group – Connolly’s Office, The Cave and coming soon Space Emergency
Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary and Serenity Lounge at Just for Me Spa (Healing Mineral Pool also under construction)
The Lumberjack Axe Throwing Bar – We opened The Lumberjack to create a place where visitors can learn about Stillwater’s rich history and locals can find a home.
Stillwater Zephyre Theatre – live performance theater downtown Stillwater
Segway Tours: Several routes, two companies St. Croix Valley Segway or Stillwater Segway
GullyWubbles – walk-in arts & crafts, gift boutique and birthday parties for kids
Madline Horseback Riding – trail rides just outside downtown in the woods and fields of the valley
LensFlare History Tour App – view what places downtown looked like in history while standing in front of the building
Thor’s Hard Cider Tasting Room – locally produced hard cider at Aamodt’s Apple Farm
Lift Bridge Brewery – create a new line of hard seltzers
Thor’s Hard Cider LensFlare History App Stillwater Segway Madline Horseback Rides GullyWubbles Zephyr Theatre
oming soon: St. Croix Brewing Co, Proper Distillery
NEW RESTAURANTS & PUBS
Mon Petit Cheri – bakery from Minneapolis (opening in May 29)
Lolito – new owners and fresh re-brand with new spanish inspired menu and lots of tequila. Same owners as LOLO American Kitchen, In the Pearl & The Thief’s location
MN Nice Cream – nostalgic dessert experience with a twist. Home of edible glitter
Matchstick Restaurant – inside Hotel Crosby
Feller Restaurant & The Long Goodbye Bar and MADE Coffee – located inside Lora hotel
Brian’s Bar & Grill – new owners and remodeled when long time Stillwater Brine’s family retired. 3rd floor venue space under renovation as well
Brick & Bourbon – restaurant with rooftop
The Velveteen Speakeasy – underground at JX Event Venue
Oasis Cafe – remodeled to now include full bar and outdoor patio – See article
LOLO American Kitchen – expanded a new upper level lounge open weekends only- See 360 tour here
NEW SALONS & SPA
Spa 810 – located inside Hotel Crosby offering on-site lazer, skin and massage services as well as adjacent bridal suite for hair & make-up
Uptown Curl – a curly hair focused salon on Main Street
Salon Mintee – new partnership with Make Up by Mindie & Hair By Theresa. Located in the historic Grand Garage next to Essential Esthetics and She Fancy Salon.
JBelissima Hair Salon – intimate downtown hair and make-up salon
Stillwater Skin – medical spa in new location now closer to downtown
NEW EVENTS
Food Truck Extravaganza – at the Washington County Fairgrounds, June 15
St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon – enjoy the views of the new bridge, July 27
A Streetcar Named Desire at Zephyr Theatre , July 19 – Aug. 4
Opera On the River – free outdoor opera music, August 10
Arcola Mills historic site hosting events like the Back Porch Jam Series
River City Sculpture Tour continues with new sculptures downtown
JX Event Venue and The Loft at Studio J aren’t just for weddings – watch our calendar for live music, acoustic listening sessions, comedy, drag shows, etc.
Live Music Saturdays at St. Croix Vineyards,all summer
Bike Happy Hour (Tues) and Bingo (Wed) at Maple Island Brewing.
New Bike history exhibit “Spokes and Folks” at Washington County Historical Courthouse. Now until the end of the year.
Stillwater Trolley – Kayaking Tours, Storytime Trolley
Rivertown Inn – Friday night chef’s dinners (not just for B&B guests)
Kari’s Create & Paint Studio expanded their space
Live Music at 15 venues downtown year-round!
Saint Croix Vineyards Storytime Trolley Rivertown Inn Dinners Run Stillwater St. Croix Crossing 1/2 Marathon Kari’s Create & Paint Pottery/Canvas
NEW WEDDING BUSINESSES
Amazzing Race by Reunion – custom races and riddles for bachelorette parties or groups
Champagne Press – wedding invitations
NEW 360 TOURS OF KEY VENUES
Tour Stillwater meeting, wedding and event venues right from your desk – more new 360 tours added!
Lift Bridge Cowork – co-work space for self-employed or remote working professionals above the bakery on Main Street
JX Event Venue has two new break out room spaces – Connolly Conference Room and the Bourbon Room. They are also now managing the Stillwater Library Rooftop space via One23 Events
Rivertown Inn has a new executive conference room in the private carriage house
Lolito has a new 2nd floor space for private rental called Carlito
Charlie’s Irish Pub – created a glass enclosed large patio area to enjoy year-round
Visit www.DiscoverStillwater.com for a complete list of boutiques, restaurants, and unique things to do! Curious what was new in 2015, 2016, 2017 , 2018– type ‘what’s new’ in our home page search bar. There is always something new and old to discover in historic Stillwater! We hope to see you travel here soon! Psst…hotels book up, so plan now.
#OnlyinMN #StayanExtraDay #Travel #DiscoverStillwater
