Photo by Caitlin Abrams
Stranger and Co. shop display
Maura Doyle always dreamed of a retail space of her own. Fast-forward to 2020 (of all years!) and a transition of her online-only business, Stranger and Co., to her brick-and-mortar vision.
The shop is a haven of handmade goods—ceramics, textiles (make sure to check out Doyle's new selection of handwoven Moroccan rugs), apothecary, fashion accessories—all by brands from around the world that aren’t yet represented locally. Plus, it has a library filled with books to buy. “I love that a customer can walk in and find products and designs they’ve never seen or heard of,” says Doyle.
The design-focused shop is rooted in makers who come from historically marginalized backgrounds, with a vast majority from woman-, BIPOC-, immigrant-, and LGBTQIA-owned companies. “I strive to offer a platform for wider dissemination of work that otherwise may not be granted the same exposure as more well-known brands,” she adds.
The focus is on quality—Doyle doesn’t want something unless it’s the perfect iteration of that object. “I only carry products that I can personally vouch for and stand behind.”
Stranger and Co. joins Flirt Boutique and Six for Good within Nolan Mains in the 50th & France neighborhood.
3921 Market St., Edina, strangerandco.com
