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Best Stores For Scrapbooking In Minnesota

March 14, 2016 / 7:00 AM CDT / CBS Minnesota

For centuries, people have preserved the fondest memories of their life in book form. There is no greater joy than sharing personal and family history thorough cherished photographs, cute cards, heart-felt letters, insightful journaling, favorite recipes, poems and beautiful artwork. People throughout the world create scrapbooks as a hobby. Over the last decade, the commercial value of supplying scrapbooks and ancillary materials has declined due to the ease of storing and sharing photos online. The decline has left the Twin Cities metro area without locally-owned stores to supply scrappers with the tools of the trade. Nevertheless, enthusiasts can still find ample number of stores, studios and retreats dedicated to this craft in greater Minnesota and Wisconsin. These are the five best places.

Crafts Direct
620 Sundial Drive
Waite Park, MN 56387
(320) 654-0907
www.craftsdirect.com
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This family-owned and operated store fills 40,000 square feet with craft supplies, including scrapbooks and an awesome collection of scrapbooking supplies and materials limited only by your imagination. It was a Ben Franklin Crafts store in Marketplace Center when John and Diane Schlecht purchased the business in 1990. They have since expanded their offerings through the years, responding to customer taste and ever striving to make it the best craft store in America.

Scrappin-N-Chattin
18600 124th Ave N.
Dayton, MN 55327
(763) 227-0536
www.scrappinnchattin.com
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This personal crafting studio is but a short drive from the metro area into the sweet country air and scenic lake views. Whether you come alone, or come with your group—you can expect ample space, tools for your use at her scrapbooking shop and abundant inspiration from other scrapbookers and crafters. Kathie Upton founded Scrappin-n-Chattin in 2007 when her favorite scrapbook store closed its doors. Kathie loves bringing crafters together to share their projects and their love of the art.

The Pine City Scrapbooking Co.
415 2nd Avenue SE
Pine City, Minnesota 55063
(320) 629-9960
www.thepinecityscrapbookingco.com
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An hour drive north brings you to everything you could want in scrapbooking. You will find a store dedicated to best scrapbooking and stamping products on the market for your creative needs. Pine City Scrapbooking has a workroom for projects, classes and crops. It is large enough for ten people to comfortably work on their projects and learn from one-another. The Pines Retreat Center has 12 rooms and 24 beds available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Down Memory Lane
3603 N. Hastings Way
Suite 300
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 855-0025
www.downmemorylncreations.com
www.facebook.com

Down Memory Lane evolved through the years, opening in 2006 as a retail scrapbook store, then designing and manufacturing proprietary scrapbook page kits in 2008. Local customers loved these kits so much the owners decided to make them available to everyone on an online store. While current sales are mostly online, the staff invites local customers to visit the shop any time Monday through Friday and any time by appointment.

Nikki's Scrapbook Nook
10444 Dodge Mower Road,
Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
(507) 583-7603
www.nikkisscrapbooknook.com
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Owner, Nikki Ryks has an answer for every scrapbooker's needs with supplies, lessons and retreats. Nikki's Scrapbook Nook store is full of distinctive albums, cardstocks, embellishments, papers, and stamps. Her calendar is full of classes in stamping, cards and crops. Scrappers can retreat with a little more than an hour drive south. Nikki holds events for up to 25 scrappers, in two rooms with a 10-table room and another 15-table room. She can accommodate five to eight people overnight, including a kitchen for preparing meals.

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.