As a “boomerang” back to Grand Forks after going out of town for college, I began to see the city where I grew up through a new lens. Coming back as a working professional and graduate student, I found myself wandering through parts of the city unseen by my childhood eyes.

In spring 2020 when I was on the hunt for my first standalone home in Grand Forks, my “must haves” list included being in an older neighborhood with a yard full of developed trees. I also wanted to be in a home that allowed for easy access to the Greenway – my favorite place to take my dog for a walk during all seasons of the year.

When I was searching, I viewed a handful of homes and was lucky enough to fall in love with a unique home that ticked both those boxes and came with a long list of other great things – a neighborhood filled with friendly families, kids who came over right away and asked if they could help with my yardwork, and a location allowing for quick travel time to work with a route that passed by most of my frequent stops and shops.

After living in a college apartment filled with a random collection of well-loved furniture, I was excited to dive in to the world of home decorating. As a lifestyle blogger, I believe how you design your home and your spaces makes a big difference in your life. If your home doesn’t reflect you and make you feel good, then it’s not living up to its full potential!

The last nine months living in my new house allowed for lots of shopping trips to my local and unique Grand Forks home décor stores to find pieces to make my space feel more like me. Here is a breakdown of six of my favorite places and what you can expect to find when you check them out:

 

1. Picks – A Grand Forks Repurposed Goods Store

My first stop on my home décor treasure hunting is always Picks. Located on South Washington, they open twice monthly – Wednesday through Saturday – and carry mainly repurposed vintage treasures. They have a “booth” style set up, so a variety of vendors display their repurposed vintage furniture, décor items, and collectibles. There is something for everyone and every style at this store and it is always my favorite bi-weekly stop!

 

2. Geneva’s Found Goods – A Downtown Grand Forks Shop

Geneva’s Found Goods is a newer store to the city of Grand Forks but not to the Grand Forks region. This store got its start with popups in the nearby towns of Buxton and Reynolds and then made its way to a permanent downtown Grand Forks storefront this past fall. At Geneva’s you will find both mainly new goods with a few touches of vintage. They always have the best selection of candles and vases – all with a simple and minimalist style.

 

3. Kittsona – A  Grand Forks Clothing & Home Décor Shop

A local store undergoing a move of its own to a different downtown location, this local boutique carries a heavier selection of clothing and apparel items. But you can find some great home décor finds here as well – especially in categories like throw pillows, dishes, and unique pieces highlighting North Dakota and Minnesota. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled as they open soon in their new location that will boast some unique features like a small outdoor event space!

 

4. CURIOUS – A Grand Forks Boutique with an Experience

Curious is another store offering a little something special for everyone and is located in the 32^nd Street shopping district. I love to spend time paging through their unique coffee table books and journals which make great gifts. Holiday collections are always fresh and fun at this local shop and give you the opportunity to find seasonal décor for your favorite holiday to refresh your home and prepare for gatherings of family and friends.

Right next door, they also launched CURIOUS Kids recently, which carries a wide selection of items for babies and children – stuffed animals galore and other fun pieces that would make great additions to kids’ nurseries and bedrooms.

 

5. Victorian Rose Antiques – A Grand Forks Shop with Hidden Treasures

If you are looking for true antique and vintage home decor in Grand Forks look no further than Victorian Rose Antiques. This shop is filled to the brim with special pieces ranging from glassware to collectibles and art to accessories.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time in this space as just a casual stroll through can take a while if you want to see everything! When I’m visiting, I tend to see items that bring me down memory lane – pieces of glassware that look just like my grandma’s farmhouse dishes, or art pieces conjuring up nostalgic memories of family member’s homes. And bonus – it’s just down the road from Picks so, with a little planning, you can make it a full Saturday of wandering.

 

6. Scheel’s – A Grand Forks Sporting Goods Store?

Last, but not least is Scheel’s – a local sporting goods destination. You might be thinking, “Jen, what does that have to do with decorating my home?!” but you might be surprised! You can find items here to fit perfectly in a “man cave” style space. If you have an outdoorsman or outdoorswoman in your home then this Columbia Mall retailer is a place to add to your shopping list as you’re settling in!