Edina, MN May 2024

Cheers to the Ladies!

The month of May marks our annual Ladies issue, and I couldn’t be more proud to celebrate women around this community. Women are an inspiration and a bright light in so many ways, and there are too many great ones to count.

From women in leadership to female-owned and operated businesses, we don’t have enough pages to support all of the wonderful females that touch our lives on a daily basis. Mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends, co-workers and more – this issue is a tribute to you. I hope you can take a moment to reflect and take pride in everything you have accomplished in life, and manifest all of the good things yet to come.

Edina Lifestyle is proud to be a female-owned and operated publication, and we take great pride in supporting and paying goodness forward to our own. In fact, I couldn’t do this without our team of ladies who help me collaborate and bring unique content to you at home each month.

If you aren’t familiar with Edina’s Chamber of Commerce, we wanted to introduce you. Shelly Loberg, President and leader in the community, helps cultivate connections as well as drive important events like Style Edina and the Fall Into the Arts Festival. Her team members Catilyn and Jordan help in supporting all things Edina. Annette Wildenauer works closely with the chamber and spearheads the newer Innovation Lab, where business owners can grow and thrive under programs designed with their specific goals and success in mind.

Greta Patel, owner of the Lash Sanctuary in Edina (and now in North Loop!), talks about her love for the beauty industry, how she got her start, and balancing her growing business while raising a family.

As women, we need to remember to take time for ourselves. So, the team curated a few fun stops around town where you can do just that. Whether it’s a delicious lunch, some shopping, a spa day, or something as small as a sun-kissed glow or flower arrangement, these little treats can make a big impact on mental health and overall wellness.

Sending you best wishes for this May and beyond!

ALEXANDRA PATTY, PUBLISHER @EDINA_LIFESTYLE

CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/EDINA

May 2024

PUBLISHER

Alexandra Patty | alexandra.patty@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Sarah Knieff | sarah.knieff@citylifestyle.com

MARKET SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Kassi Miranowski | kassi.miranowski@citylifestyle.com

SALES SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Susan Shannon | susan.shannon@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Haley Williams, Sarah Knieff, Sue Baldani

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Andrew Vick, Bethcath, Cassandra Castaneda

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

Galleria’s 2024 “Into the Deep” Floral Experience with flowers by Bachman’s. Photography by Catherine Brinker Photography

Is your child realizing their potential in math? Results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress show an alarming decline in math scores nationwide1. But there’s plenty of time to turn things around, with personalized math instruction at Mathnasium.

1National Assessment of Educational Progress

Now Enrolling for Summer Programs! Free Assessment with 12-month Enrollments!

Now Open: Pink Ivy Kitchen and Bar

Pink Ivy Kitchen and Bar is now open on Main Street in Hopkins. Chef Michael Shaughnessy and his wife Viorica are proud to bring unique cuisine and a global wine and spirits selection to the Twin Cities. Serving lunch & dinner daily. pinkivymn.com | 712 Mainstreet, Hopkins | 952-600-7290

Explore SuNu's New Membership Program

Explore the benefits of holistic health and wellness with SuNu’s new monthly membership program which includes a chiropractic adjustment and healing 60-minute bodywork session tailored to your needs. Embrace balance and renewed energy as SuNu's expert practitioners guide you on your wellness journey. Additional perks and discounts are available to enhance your experience. Treat yourself to all SuNu Wellness has to offer and embrace a life of wellness, naturally. sunuwellness.com or 952-314-7035 for more.

Schedule a Tour of Kinderberry Hill Today

Kinderberry Hill has been a part of the Edina community for over 25 years. Nestled just off France Avenue on a tree-lined street in the heart of the city, this school has a proven reputation for providing exceptional early learning and care for infants, toddlers, intermediates and pre-kindergarteners year-round. Schedule a tour today by visiting kinderberryhill.com or calling 952-925-5881

Edina's Ladies of the Chamber

MEET FOUR WOMEN WHO LOVE THEIR CITY

ARTICLE BY SARAH KNIEFF | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW VICK

The Edina Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization committed to helping businesses thrive. Its promise is to make Edina the optimum place to do business by providing opportunities for growth, development, community involvement and enrichment.

For our ladies’ issue, we wanted to highlight four awesome women who have different leadership positions within the chamber. These gals work hard to help Edina continue to be a local business hub.

Caitlyn, Shelly, Annette and Jordan

Photo by Randy Hoepner Photography

As chamber president, Shelly Loberg loves engaging in partnerships within the community.

“I’ve been with the chamber for nearly 10 years now and I love the experience of working here,” she says. “Some amazing partnerships have included us planning a Shark Tank-style event with Edina Public Schools, which was really rewarding, and supporting the creation of the Edina Innovation Lab. We also plan the Edina Fall into the Arts Festival in collaboration with the Edina Crime Prevention Fund, Centennial Lakes Park and the Edina Art Center.

“I thoroughly enjoy seeing our business community engage in these programs and events that foster meaningful connections and collaboration.”

Although Shelly is not a current resident of Edina, she is extremely active within the area and enjoys everything about the city.

“I really appreciate the diverse retail and restaurant scene. I also love to take advantage of beautiful amenities like Centennial Lakes Park and the Nine Mile Creek bike trail.”

As an explorer by nature, when she isn’t on the local trails, she likes to take every opportunity that she can get to travel. Shelly is the current president of Edina’s Rotary Club and was fortunate enough to travel to Guatemala two times on service trips.

“I also spent a couple of weeks in Australia while attending the Rotary International Conference in May of 2023. I look forward to visiting Zimbabwe in March of 2025 for another one. Rotary fosters my love of service, and connecting and collaborating with others globally.”

In the future, Shelly hopes to be able to use her ability to speak fluent French – which she studied at the University of Minnesota Duluth – in another international trip.

CONTINUED >

SHELLY LOBERG

Shelly Loberg, President

CAITLYN SPORTEL JORDAN JOHNSON

Caitlyn Sportel is the director of marketing and partnerships, which means she gets to focus on developing dynamic programming, events and partnerships to help drive chamber initiatives.

“I have the opportunity to really make a difference in our local business community while getting involved in a variety of exciting activities,” she says. “It’s uplifting to witness the entire community’s commitment to local businesses and appreciation for Edina’s unique appeal as a fine dining, retail and wellness destination.

“Every day brings something new and I feel extremely fortunate to be part of such an incredible team of women.”

Caitlyn lives in the west metro with her husband, one-year-old son and a very energetic German Shorthair Pointer.

“All of which keep me on my toes.”

She loves spending time outdoors with friends and family, especially soaking up the sun at the lake. Caitlyn also coaches youth volleyball, which is incredibly rewarding for her and provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to stay active and experience working together as a team.

Having worked and lived in many different cities her whole life, Jordan Johnson had never felt a connection to one place until she became the communication and event coordinator at the chamber.

“It has been really fulfilling to feel a part of Edina,” she says. “I love our team and I think that we have built a family-like culture that encourages authenticity and collaboration. I love how my coworkers build me up and push me to do things I didn’t think I would be good at. I have enjoyed watching our events come together, getting to know our members, and having a new appreciation for this community. This job has honestly been a blessing.”

Later this month, Jordan will graduate from the University of St.Thomas with a degree in marketing and data analytics. She plans to use this newfound knowledge to aid in future chamber projects.

After graduation, Jordan is excited to have more time to focus on her other passions.

“I [love] traveling, spending time with my family, going boating, doing hot yoga and anything outside.”

Jordan Johnson, Communications & Events Coordinator

Caitlyn Sportel, Director of Marketing & Partnerships

Using her unique background in higher education, design and business, Annette Wildenauer runs the Edina Innovation Lab within the chamber.

“This was developed to help businesses that are beyond start-up innovate and grow,” she says. “We offer transformative learning through education and community. As a resource center for businesses, we engage in strategic conversations that stimulate game-changing ideas.”

As a person with a “lifetime of experience in business,” Annette finds it fun to share her ideas and advice with others.

“I love working with small to midsize businesses that are ready to grow and learn. Their success is my success. I enjoy the light bulb moments, the ah-ha moments, the new thought that launches them into thinking and creating a better future.”

Outside of creating those light bulb moments, Annette likes to cook, be a musician, and spend time with her husband and two children.

7201 Metro Blvd., Edina | 952-806-9060 edinachamber.com

Annette Wildenauer, Chief Innovation Officer of the Innovation Lab

Experience Spring Fever - the Botanical Cocktail Menu at The Westin Edina Galleria

A SANCTUARY FOR BEAUTY

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETHCATH

Amazing Transformations Happen Here

Greta Patel always had a passion for beauty. As a young girl, her mother indulged her with haircuts at high-end salons and massages for birthdays. “At the salon, I would sit in the chair and just be so infatuated with the busyness and the women who were working there.”

When she was 10 years old, she even painted her own business sign for what she called Greta's Great Hands. “I pretended that I was a masseuse and I would give everyone in my family foot massages and shoulder rubs.”

As a high school senior, Greta toured the Aveda Institute and had the same feeling she did at the salon. At 18 years old, she enrolled there and flourished. “I graduated at the top of my class with the most retail sales and also the most client referrals, and received my cosmetology license.”

Originally planning to do hair, she contracted Lyme disease and couldn’t stand for long periods of time. So, she pivoted and started doing lash extensions and brows out of her parents’ house as a way to make some money while recuperating. But, her skill set became so in demand that she knew she needed to start working in a more professional setting.

Greta Patel. Photo by Whitleysander Photography

“I worked for someone else for about a year, and then in 2020, I started my own business, The Lash Sanctuary, in Edina,” says Greta. In 2023, she opened another location in Minneapolis.

“The unique thing about my story is I actually had a baby 16 days after the launch of the North Loop location, so I feel like I actually gave birth to two babies.”

The Lash Sanctuary, she says, is truly a space to relax and feel pampered. “It has a modern flair, but it's so cozy and inviting.”

Beautiful lashes and well-defined eyebrows can transform someone’s entire face. Services include lash extensions, lash lifts and tints, eyebrow waxing and eyebrow tints. Its newest offering, at the Edina location, is microblading.

The eyelash extensions are made out of synthetic mink. “A single lash is dipped in a teeny amount of adhesive and then strategically placed on one natural eyelash at a time,” says Greta. “We can do everything from barely noticeable for every day to really dramatic for a wedding. It's completely customizable and tailored to the client's desired look.”

Lash lifting and tinting allow clients’ natural lashes to stay curled for up to eight weeks and also appear darker.

Eyebrow waxing includes a consultation of what someone’s brow goals are and also a shaping, which not a lot of places do. Eyebrow tints involve applying semi-permanent hair dye to brows to get a darker result, while laminations make brows appear fuller. For microblading, the ideal client is anyone who cannot achieve fuller brows on her own.

“We've seen a lot of amazing transformations here,” she says.

The other amazing thing about The Lash Sanctuary, adds Greta, is that she’s able to run a business and still be there for baby London. Her husband, Tyssul, grew up in London, and is a brand creator and graphic designer who personally branded The Lash Sanctuary.

“This business has supported me in different seasons of life and it’s so accommodating and flexible to my needs,” she says. “I never thought it would get to this point, but I've been really fortunate. I'm blessed with amazing women who work with me and who have helped grow the brand, and I’ve been so supported by my clients as well.”

3902 W 50th St. Suite B | 612-750-9667

TheLashSanctuary.co

Treat Yourself

Check out These Five Local Businesses for the Ultimate Pick-Me-Up

ARTICLE BY SARAH KNIEFF

Ladies, it’s time to treat yourself.

Whether you want to have a spa-like day filled with spray tans, mani-pedis and flowers or you’re more up to a shopping and lunch date, these five local businesses should be on your list to check out the next time you need a little pick-me-up.

The Petal

Glow Lounge

D'Amico & Sons

D’Amico & Sons offers fresh Italian pasta and flatbread from a casual neighborhood cafe. Enjoy its variety of made-to-order pasta, flatbread from the wood-burning oven, gourmet salads and antipasti, Italian sandwiches, seafood entrees, soup and dessert. Head there for lunch to indulge in an afternoon glass of wine and a delicious meal.

3948 W. 50th St. | 612-374-1776 damicoandsons.com

Galleria

The Galleria is the upper Midwest’s most uncommon shopping gallery offering exclusive fashion, home, beauty and dining moments. Enjoy the convenience of complimentary parking in its attached ramp.

69th Street & France Ave. | 952-925-4321 galleriaedina.com

Glow Lounge

The Glow Lounge offers a luxury airbrush tanning experience that will leave you with a flawless natural glow every time. This isn’t a onesize-fits-all spray tan – your color is 100% custom to you, ensuring a flawless result. Feel fresh and confident this spring without harsh sunlight rays.

3940 Sunnyside Road | 612-599-2911 | theglowlounge.com

Lili Salon Spa

Lili Salon Spa’s talented professionals offer a wide range of carefully crafted experiences to satisfy all your beauty needs. Offering express treatments to full-day escapes, its specialized salon team uses the highest quality products and care to treat guests from head to toe. Stop by for the perfect manipedi, your nails will thank you.

3180 Galleria | 952-224-3300 lilisalonspa.com

The Petal

The Petal is a local floral boutique offering refined, natural and organic designs for weddings, events and daily flowers in the Edina area, and beyond. Flowers for all of life’s celebrations. Grab a new bouquet to liven up your home and put a smile on your face.

5029 France Ave. S | 612-356-2890 the-petal.com

DIY VANILLA ORANGE SUGAR SCRUB

Create your own DIY sugar scrub for a perfect gift for a special person in your life.

To make one 8 ounce mason jar of vanilla orange sugar scrub, you need:

• 1/4 cup of coconut oil

• 3/4 cup of sugar

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 10 drops of orange essential oil

Soften the coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds. Next add the vanilla extract and the orange essential oil. Then, stir in the sugar, a little at a time. Print off a fun label or attach a ribbon to the jar, and your gift is ready. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE and WINE

The Key to a Successful Wine and Chocolate Pairing Lies in Finding the Right Combination of Flavors and Characteristics.

Pairing wine and chocolate together can be a delightful sensory experience that can elevate the flavors of both. While the concept of pairing wine with food is well-known, pairing it with chocolate may seem unconventional at first. However, when done correctly, it can create a harmonious balance where the flavors of the wine and chocolate complement and enhance one another.

Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. Both contain flavanols (antioxidants) and polyphenols (compounds found in plant-based food) that are good for you and have anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics affect flavor so it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together. The more polyphenols, the more pronounced the bitter taste.

For example, if you sip a delicious dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue.

While it might sound counterintuitive, a good rule of thumb is to pair a wine that is “sweeter” than the chocolate itself. “Sweet” doesn’t refer to dessert wines alone. In the wine world, the term “sweet” is often used to denote ripe, fruit-forward flavors in a wine. These characteristics provide a nice balance to the bitter flavors of cocoa.

Both wine and chocolate can have intense, dry flavors. In order to find the right balance, it’s best to choose wines that are a little bit softer and juicier than the chocolate you’re pairing it with.

We’ve done the footwork to find several wines that partner well with chocolate. Here are our guidelines for matching chocolate with wine and a few of our favorite wine and chocolate pairings. We hope you’ll try them and then get inspired to experiment and create your own.

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA

CREATING THE PERFECT PAIR

DARK CHOCOLATE

Bitter to semi-sweet dark chocolates, that are 50 to 100% cacao, have intense, bitter flavors, and earthy to fruity undertones. Match the intensity without adding more dryness by pairing these chocolates with full-bodied, yet fruit-forward wines.

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Port, Merlot, Shiraz, Barolo

MILK CHOCOLATE

Milk chocolate is typically creamier and sweeter with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and cream. It requires a wine that is light to medium in body, with a ripe fruit character.

Pairs well with:

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sweet Riesling, Ice-Style Wine

WHITE CHOCOLATE

White chocolate has a sweet, buttery flavor with notes of cream and honey. Sweet white and rosè wines help cleanse the palate of the rich flavors from white chocolate, as does sparkling spumante like Moscato d’Asti.

Pairs well with:

Sweet Riesling, Moscato, Semi-Dry Sparkling Whites, Gewurztraminer

MAY 9TH

Community Clothing Swap

Braemar Arena | 4:00 PM

Join Edina’s third popular, free and fashionably fun clothing swap! It’s open to everyone, including nonresidents and families. Participants are encouraged to bring clothing to swap with other people, but no donation is required to join and everything is free to take home. edinamn.gov.

MAY 11TH - 12TH

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

For the first time ever, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden will be home to an art fair. The event will feature approximately 150 artist booths, along with music, crafts, food and more. homespunevents.com/sculpturegardenartfair

MAY 14TH - 26TH

MJ

Orpheum Theatre

He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Minneapolis as MJ, the multi-Tony Award-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. hennepintheatretrust.org.

MAY 17TH - 19TH

Art-A-Whirl

Northeast Minneapolis

Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the city and the country. Over 1,000 NEMAA member artists, galleries, and businesses participate across all of Northeast Minneapolis at over 60 locations. Art-A-Whirl is a fantastic way to connect with artists in their own spaces, enjoy demonstrations and interactive activities, listen to live music, and enjoy local restaurants and breweries. It is free and open to the public. mplsart.com.

MAY 23RD

Big Truck Open House

7450 Metro Blvd. | 4:00 PM

Join the city for Edina Public Works’ “Big Trucks” open house, which will include fun and interactive activities for the kids, photo opportunities with props and the trucks, and free hot dogs, snacks and refreshments. edinamn.gov

MAY 31ST - JUNE 2ND

Edina Art Fair

Intersection of the 50th & France

The Edina Art Fair is located in the prestigious intersection of the 50th & France Business District in Edina and Minneapolis. The fair has approximately 250,000 - 300,000 visitors attending this festival each year. Check 50thandfrance.com/art-fair for the latest updates as the date gets closer.

Opening May 30 in Edina!

When you come to Kowalski’s, you’re shopping for joy. And we go to great lengths to make sure you find it.

Joy motivates us to offer hand-cut meats at the butcher counter that are Naturally Raised and Certified Humane. Joy prompts our partnerships with local farmers and ranchers to bring you the freshest quality produce possible. Joy inspires us to partner with up-and-coming community brands and small businesses that bring variety and distinction to your table. Joy even drives us to search for foods that can help make the world a better place.

When we pursue joy in everything we do, that joy spreads and multiplies. You don’t just experience it while you shop. You take it home with you and share it with your friends and family. Find your joy at Kowalski’s.

Urgent Care

TCO Edina

Walk in 8 - 8

Ready to serve Edina and the surrounding community.

Set to be your first stop for sudden, unexpected injuries.

Go for more of what you need to keep your body moving. No referral or appointment necessary.