Last Thanksgiving my friend Vicki asked me to run the Thanksgiving Gobble Gait 8K with her in Hastings. I had never spent much time there and just figured it would be like any run. Let me say, it was one of the most beautiful runs I have done! All of the money from the race is donated to the Hastings Family Service which serves the local community. What started as a small run has now grown to over 2000 runners.
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| Post Race Photo with Vicki (right) and her friend Stacie (center) |
The race started and finished on Main Street in Hastings and although it was cold and wet, I fell madly in love with Main Street! There are tons of cute little shops and restaurants. Its very quaint and a nice little day trip. From the Downtown Business Association of Hastings, MN, " The Historic Downtown Business District of Hastings, Minnesota. You'll find charming shops that feature; Antiques, Collectibles, Gifts, Fashion, Imports, Toys, Pottery, Jewelry and many one of a kind specialty items and services. Most of our shops are located in preserved historic buildings dating back to the 1800's."
Right now they are redoing some sections of Main Street so my photos may be a little limited in the angles as I was simply trying to photo without all the yellow tape and orange cones. However, even though it was under construction we were still able to navigate to all the shops with no trouble.
My friend Jayme has super awesome taste and had told me about Eye Candy Refind, so I HAD to check it out. (If you've ever been in the Loft at Viva Voce Salon in Hudson, they have several stunning pieces from Eye Candy!!) After a quick trip to their shop in Hastings, I was sold!! First of all I LOVE the owners. Super bad ass ladies who run a great shop with gorgeous pieces! They are SUPER friendly and totally willing to help you with anything. (and I mean anything, I'm still looking for my card catalog and they are too!). I ended up buying a gorgeous buffet my first trip there and continue to get inspiration every time I go to their shop!
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| My buffet table from Eye Candy |
I absolutely adore the signs, furniture and decor in Eye Candy Refind. They also do painting classes in the Hastings Store as well if you want to learn how to chalk paint. Additionally they share TONS of new pieces on their Instagram (eye_candy_refind) and Facebook Pages. If you're looking for a one of a kind, quality piece at an affordable price, check out Eye Candy!!!
If you're someone who wants to DIY your own furniture pieces then stop into one of the many antique shops in town!
A few others:
Second Street Antique Mall
If home decor isn't your thing, they also have cute little clothing shops as well! One that is always a stop when we are there is Lah-Tee-Dah Boutique. They have adorable clothes at very reasonable prices! You will also find that unique piece you wouldn't find online or at a mall. That's what makes small town shopping so special. You don't look like everyone else and you're supporting a local business.
Other shopping locations for gifts and goodies:
Mississippi Clayworks
Let's be honest, after all that shopping I'm usually starving and (in my opinion) the BEST place in town is the Busted Nut. We completely stumbled into the Busted Nut on a whim when we were picking up my buffet from Eye Candy. It was the best decision ever!! Fresh peanuts when you sit down and cold beers! But better than that is the food. I have been there several times now and I am never disappointed. Last time we were there, a friend said "This is the best mushroom swiss burger I have ever had!" I typically order the Chicken, Bacon Ranch Wrap with waffle fries and season sour cream and it's AMAZING!!! (See below)
Although the Busted Nut happens to be my favorite, there are lots of other choices while in the downtown area.
Restaurants:
The Onion Grille (I've heard this place is awesome too!)
Karl's Red Rock Cafe (Breakfast and Lunch)
Spiral Pizza
While I was walking around taking photos, I saw the sweetest scene in Reissner's Meat and Grocery. I was transported back 50 years. (or what I imagine life to be like 50 years ago). Two older gentlemen were standing in the business enjoying a conversation and a coke. It was the most refreshing, simple moment they were sharing. They didn't have cell phones out, they weren't distracted by anything but what the other person was saying. It truly warmed my heart.
One thing that always catches my eye when I'm in town is the Meyer Company Sign (Carhartt, Levis, shopping). It again, takes me back to a time before modern technology. And while I don't know the history, I imagine it was put up in the early years of Jc Penney, Montgomery Wards, Sears Roebuck Co. Just the lettering takes me back to flipping through catalogs at grandmas house.
As you find your way out of town, take a minute to see the beautiful new bridge that was built in 2014. It's stunning at night and beautiful during the day.
Hastings is only a short drive from the Twin Cities on Highway 61 South, and about 45 minutes from Western, WI. I love any excuse to get down here to shop and eat! (and there may or may not be a casino stop or a stop at Ellsworth Creamery on the way! Pretty sure we'll be checking out Ellsworth in the near future so I can go back for more fresh cheese curds!)
I hope you are able to seek out new adventures in Hastings or any of the towns I mention along the way. It's such a fun journey for me to check out new places and bring friends along for the ride!
XOXO
Kristen
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