Featuring the Mont age B and
Lasérie
An
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Spook
I am a child of the 1980s who came of age in the 1990s when mall culture was everything. I spent nearly every weekend of my childhood within the walls of a suburban shopping center in my hometown of Calgary. (My parents weren’t outdoorsy people.) I was a Skee-Ball champ in the arcade, a toy store browser and my mom’s sidekick in the never-ending quest for the perfect bargain. As a teenager, the mall became my social hub—meeting friends at the food court, catching movies at the attached theater and shopping for the latest trends at all the jewelry and teen clothing stores of the decade.
By the time I reached adulthood, malls had become my happy place because they were a familiar spot to unwind. Every city I’ve lived in, I’ve found the mall that spoke to me. When I unpacked boxes in my Minneapolis apartment in 2007, it didn’t take me long to discover Southdale Center. Back then, it was always buzzing with energy. There was music in the background, and shoppers hustling and bustling. But over time, those once busy, chock-a-block halls of Southdale grew quieter. Stores closed. I found myself heading to the Galleria or Mall of America instead. When I would venture back to Southdale, it felt like visiting an old friend who’d lost a little bit of their sparkle. But I kept coming back because it has a special place in my heart and in the lives of many Edina residents. After all, it is the world’s first enclosed shopping center.
So imagine my delight when I heard Southdale is getting a facelift, complete with a new luxury wing. I’m reminded of what Coco Chanel once said, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” And this new mall is indeed different, but underneath are the bones of the mall that we all know and love. We take a walk down memory lane and explore what’s ahead for the next generation of Southdale shoppers. It’s a fitting story for our annual beauty and fashion issue (page 12 and 24).
Happy October and Happy Halloween,
Feroza Mehta feroza@localmedia.co
On the Cover:
From City Streets to Suburban Style , page 12
5095 KELSEY TERRACE – EDINA $3,695,000
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805-1577
VOL. 21 NO. 3
October 2025
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR
Feroza Mehta
MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
DIGITAL EDITOR
Madeline Kopiecki
COPY EDITORS
Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Jennifer Pitterle and Paige Udermann
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alison Perrier Briggs, Sarah Davis, Emily Deutschman, Taylor Ellingson, Daniel Green, Gregory Rich, Twila Singh, Kelly Smith, Maureen Millea Smith, Jasmine Brett Stringer and Laura Westlund
DIGITAL INTERN
Claire Krieger
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Ellie Heyerdahl, Diane Meyer, Emma Souza and Avery Vrieze
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Alison Perrier Briggs, Edina Community Foundation ; Daphne Edwards, Edina Public Schools ; Greg Hoyt, Gather Venture Group ; Shelly Loberg, Edina Chamber of Commerce ; Rebecca Sorensen, 50th & France Business Association ; Jasmine Brett Stringer, Carpe Diem with Jasmine ; Kelly Vickers, Zimmer Design ; and Annette Wildenauer, Design Mode Studios
SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR
Sarah Dovolos
ART DIRECTOR
Allison Nolden
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Jamie Klang
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Yaz Lo
LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Emeott
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Brittni Dye
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Lisa Stone
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Mimi Coz
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre and Sara Johnson
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Rochita Chatterjee and Gina Neumann
PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson
To subscribe to Edina Magazine , please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2025. All rights reserved.
Our columnist, Daniel Green, has a new cookbook called Take Home Thailand. Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the photos were taken by our photographer Chris Emeott. We spoke with Green about his latest work.
What inspired you to write this cookbook?
My heart has always had a passport stamped with Thai flavors. Thailand has become one of my favorite places to visit. It inspired my very first cookbook 23 years ago, and now, for my 14th cookbook, I’ve come full circle with Take Home Thailand
Thai food can feel intimidating to make at home, especially with hard-to-find ingredients. How do you help home cooks get past that hurdle?
I wanted to make Thai cooking easy, approachable and full of the same joy it brings me. I simplified recipes by skipping hardto-find ingredients and focused on what’s readily available. So, home cooks anywhere can enjoy Thai classics like Tom Yum Soup and fragrant curries without the stress. This book has
everything—breakfasts, curries, desserts, salads, soups—and even tips on creating your own Thai dinner party or buffet spread. It’s truly easy and made for everyone.
How did you come to know Chris Emeott?
I first met Chris when he came to shoot the Thanksgiving cover for Edina Magazine [in 2023]. I stayed in touch. Chris said he was fascinated by Thai food, and I asked him to be part of the cookbook. He captured the spirit of the country with unforgettable images. The vibrancy, the energy and the colors of both the food and the people jump off every page. We also shot many of the recipes right in my Edina kitchen.
One of those recipes is Thai Red Curry in a Pumpkin, which you can find at edinamag.com.
Take Home Thailand is available at local bookstores and amazon.com. —Feroza Mehta
Ready to celebrate Halloween?
These four destinations are worth a spot on your Halloween travel map.
Anoka
Known as the Halloween Capital of the World, Anoka celebrates with parades, a haunted house and community events that make this small town big on charm.
Derry, Northern Ireland
Celebrate Halloween at its Celtic roots in Derry, where ancient traditions meet modern-day revelry. This walled city goes all out with parades, fireworks and eerie festivities that last for days.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca’s Día de los Muertos (October 31–November 2) is a vibrant, moving celebration. This tribute to loved ones blends colorful altars, marigold-filled streets and candlelit cemetery vigils into an amazing celebration of life and memories.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
This Hudson Valley village brings The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to life with haunted hayrides, gothic mansion tours and Headless Horseman sightings.
Emily Deutschman is the founder of Puffin Nest Travel Co. Learn more at puffinnesttravelco.com.
When Victor Gruen was planning the construction of Southdale Center, he followed a habit popular among modernist architects and contacted a well-known sculptor, Harry Bertoia (1915–1978), to create a decorative feature for the United States’ first indoor shopping center. Postwar midcentury architects recognized that their buildings were important and would change the American lifestyle. They were worthy of bold and contemporary creativity, and modern art was often integrated into architectural design. Gruen commissioned Golden Trees from Bertoia, a two-piece, 50-foot-tall steel sculpture coated in bronze. They still proudly stand in the central court of Southdale. Bertoia was an established modernist artist. After immigrating to Detroit from Italy in 1930, he studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Although he also designed jewelry and furniture, Bertoia focused on metal sculptures in the 1950s. He produced more than 50 public sculptures, including Golden Trees. In the 1960s, Bertoia experimented with sound installations. He manually moved
these Sonambient sculptures to make music, and he performed concerts and recorded albums of his sound art. The Weisman Art Museum owns Bertoia’s sound sculpture The Pod (1956), and his art is also in the collections of the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Minnesota landscape historian Frank Edgerton Martin emphasized the value of Golden Trees and its presence at Southdale.
“It’s one of the most important midcentury sculptures in a public space in the United States,” he says, recalling how “magical” the indoor mall felt in the 1950s.
With the opening of Southdale, Gruen was moving the American meeting place and social destination from urban downtown to suburban mall, and Bertoia’s sculpture contributed elegance and beautiful art to this new public space.
To learn more about Southdale and its renovations, go to page 24.
Laura Westlund is an art hound for Minnesota Public Radio.
Minneapolis boutique
The Fitting Room moves to Edina.
By Emma Souza
Chunky boots, fur coats, knit sweaters and vintage apparel—no matter the fall fashion item, they have a new home in Edina. The Fitting Room has long been a staple for chic finds, having sold oneof-a-kind pieces by local designers for the last seven years. Owner Kim JurekValanzasca shares her favorite fall trends and boutique offerings.
What do you love about Minnesota and its fashion, and how did it inspire you to create The Fitting Room?
I love that we have a supportive fashion community with lots of talented people willing to share and be resourceful … I grew up in central Minnesota and moved to Minneapolis in my 20s. I studied fashion design in Florence, Italy, which is part of what motivated me to start my own line in 2005, Alma Mia. My mom was also a big influence, as she taught me how to sew when I was young and encouraged me to participate in our local 4-H chapter and the county and state fair fashion shows.
What makes The Fitting Room unique?
We are a boutique that is curated with all local designers. We have clothing, jewelry, handbags, other accessories and a milliner … We also work in one-of-akind, small batches and custom designs. Often, you can meet with the designers directly, which I think is really special. The shop follows the slow fashion movement, which means our designers trickle items in over the season, so you will find something new every time you come by.
Fall is a great time of year for fashion and accessorizing. What styles do you predict will be on trend? Any favorites?
While traveling in Spain this spring, I noticed some fun trends and love how those styles find their way to Minnesota. Lots of faux fur and fur, and that’s such a Minnesota staple in vests, coats, bags and trims. Several of our designers consistently work in fur and faux fur, so [I’m] excited to see those pieces coming in for the fall to the shop. I have also seen a mix of grunge, ’70s, feather accents, cozy textures and rich colors, which I am excited about. Also, a mix of modern and vintage.
In what ways will The Fitting Room engage with the Edina community? We produce four to five fashion shows
a year. Our big ones are both the spring and fall shows, EVOLVE. In September, we produced EVOLVE … at 50th and France, and it was wonderful to be a part of the community in that way. We find these shows really bring together [the] community. They’re an opportunity to connect designers with the clients directly … All of the looks are immediately available in our pop-up after the show and in the shop after that evening. We also have smaller fashion show events like our Anniversary Party, The Resort Show in February and Merry Merry in early December.
The Fitting Room thefittingroommpls.com @thefittingroommpls
Lasérie brings beauty innovation to the Galleria.
By Mollee Francisco
If you’ve ever dreamed of customized skin care but assumed it was either impossible or too expensive, Michele Henry wants you to think again. Thanks to the power of artificial intelligence (AI), the future of aesthetics has arrived in Edina in the form of Lasérie. This isn’t Henry’s first foray into the world of beauty. She is also co-owner of Face Foundrié.
“Face Foundrié is an amazing place for your monthly treatments,” Henry says. “But we wanted to provide approachable and well-priced treatments one echelon up from Face Foundrié.”
Henry says that many of her Face Foundrié clients were asking for recommendations about advanced treatments, and it got her thinking about what she could bring to the table for her next venture. The result is Lasérie, a med spa featuring a bevy of injectables and laser treatments, many of which can be layered for maximum results. “We are using the best lasers in the world,” Henry says.
“I love pioneering new concepts. I like pushing the envelope and going above and beyond.”
Michele Henry, owner of Lasérie
Lasérie offers advanced skin care services like Botox, Sculptra and more, but perhaps its biggest draw is the SmartSKN Robotic Mini Lab, which can analyze the skin and create a custom product on the spot. The state-of-the-art Muilli AI Dermascope takes high-resolution images of the skin magnified at 60x, pulling the results into an AI-powered database that is able to determine what the skin needs down to the nutrient level.
A bioimpedance sensor measures the skin’s oil and moisture levels. And together with the client’s responses to questions about skin care, concerns and lifestyle, the SmartSKN robot formulates a completely customized skin care product designed to respond to the skin’s current needs. Henry says Lasérie is the only med spa location to offer such a service. “We’re truly working off what your skin personally needs,” she says.
Henry says the analysis can be done repeatedly to track results over time. “The skin is our largest organ,” she says. “Skin changes with the seasons, and the needs change.” And when Henry says everybody, she means it. Keeping Lasérie’s price point at an affordable level for skin care is one of her highest priorities. “You shouldn’t have to choose between a vacation and skin care,” she says. “You should be able to have both.”
Since opening Lasérie last winter, Henry says she has been “surprised and excited” by client reactions to Lasérie, making the Edina location the first, but likely not the last. Her other venture, Face Foundrié, will have 53 locations open by the end of 2025. “We want to continue to grow,” Henry says. “I love pioneering new concepts. I like pushing the envelope and going above and beyond.”
Lasérie laserie.co
@laserie.co
LEFT:
My Atrium is Your Echo Chamber no. 2 by Gianna Tesone: Acrylic on canvas; 132cm x 152cm; 2025
RIGHT:
My Father and Me by Bob Hest: Graphite on canvas; 75cm x 59cm; 2025
An art exchange marks the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration to the United States.
Written by Feroza Mehta
In honor of the bicentennial of the first wave of Norwegian immigration to the United States, Edina gallerist Gregory Rich is unveiling Motherland, a groundbreaking international art exchange. This creative partnership between Rich’s 9 Mile Gallery and Galleri Semmingsen in Oslo, Norway, celebrates shared culture, artistic innovation and enduring ties between two nations.
The year 1825 marked a pivotal moment in NorwegianAmerican history when the sloop Restauration sailed from Stavanger, Norway, carrying 52 Norwegians to the U.S. That voyage sparked generations of migration and cultural fusion. Now, 200 years later, Motherland honors that spirit of exploration and connection. “This is the beginning of a long and rewarding relationship,” Rich says. “This is an important time to reaffirm the shared cultures in Minnesota and Norway.”
The initiative took shape after Rich connected with Anja Kroll of Norway House, a Minneapolis-based cultural organization that is a Motherland participant. Rich traveled to Norway with Kroll. “She and I went to visit a bunch of different galleries. She set up some meetings, trying to find the right match. Then I found an amazing gallery called the Galleri Semmingsen. It’s in the old diplomatic zone of Oslo. Right around the corner from the original U.S. Embassy,” he says.
The gallery, run by Astrid Hilde Semmingsen, made an immediate impression. “I went in, and I knew this was the one I wanted to partner with,” Rich says. Semmingsen is excited for the initiative. “This is the beginning of a long and rewarding relationship,” she says. “Art has the power to transcend borders. This initiative allows us to reflect on the intertwined journeys and create new narratives together.”
That new narrative began in August when pieces of art from five Norwegian-American artists were installed at Galleri Semmingsen. “Astrid is a bit of a numerologist, and she likes the number five a lot. So she wanted five pieces from five artists,” Rich says. “I’ve chosen and presented her a number of artists, and we decided to go with five of my favorites.”
Three of the five American artists traveled to Oslo for the exhibition’s opening. In return, three Norwegian artists will bring their work to 9 Mile Gallery in Edina for an exhibition from October 4 to November 30. Before the main installation, a sampling of their work was displayed at Norway House’s Minneapolis gallery at the end of September.
A limited-edition commemorative wool blanket, designed by featured artist Bob Hest and produced by Faribault Mill, will serve as a flagship piece for the project. “We were very honored to have been asked to help create this very special blanket for a very special occasion,” says Paul Mooty, vice chairman and partner at Faribault Mill. “It’s a wonderful and unique way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Norwegians coming to the United States. The impact our immigrant ancestors have had in our country is remarkable, and there is something special about a company founded by a German immigrant 160 years ago making a blanket to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Norwegians coming here. It seems so appropriate. I am, in fact, a quarter German and a quarter Norwegian, so this has real meaning for me as well.”
The Oslo gallery’s exhibit will run for three weeks, after which unsold works will be featured in the former U.S. Embassy. “So it will be a three-week installation, which is fabulous for the artists,” Rich says.
Motherland is only a part of a larger initiative called Crossings. In addition to this exchange, the organizing partners are already dreaming of future collaborations. Plans are in the works for an exhibition, featuring Native American artists from Minnesota and indigenous Saami artists from Scandinavia, expanding this initiative into an ongoing platform for cultural connection.
“ART HAS THE POWER TO TRANSCEND BORDERS. THIS INITIATIVE ALLOWS US TO REFLECT ON THE INTERTWINED JOURNEYS AND CREATE NEW NARRATIVES TOGETHER.”
Astrid Hilde Semmingsen, owner of Galleri Semmingsen in Oslo, Norway
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9 Mile Gallery
9milegalleryeventspace.com @9milegallery
Bob Hest bobhest.art
Mary Catherine Solberg marycatherinesolberg.com
Gianna Tesone gianatesone.com
Moira Bateman moirabateman.com
Kristen Amanda kristenamandastudio.com
Artist Mary Catherine Solberg shares her experience being a part of Motherland.
What does it mean to you to be part of this art exchange? It’s deeply meaningful for me. My great-great-grandparents emigrated from near Oslo in 1866, and their journey has always been part of my family’s story. Growing up, I remember a photo of the original Solberg homestead hanging in our library—a constant reminder of where we came from and the resilience of those who made a new life in America. To be part of Motherland feels like honoring that legacy while also creating a living dialogue between the past and the present, Norway and Minnesota, tradition and contemporary art.
What do you hope viewers of your work take away from this exhibition?
My layered portraits explore memory and how the past— whether real or imagined—shapes the present and the future. Some imagery is clear and immediate, while other fragments fade or surface like half-remembered thoughts. I’m drawn to how time changes things, how surfaces erode, how colors fade and how history leaves its mark. For me, it’s not only about what is lost but about the strange beauty in what remains.
Within the context of Motherland, these themes take on another dimension. Just as age leaves its traces on people and objects, migration leaves its traces on families, communities and culture. I hope viewers sense that tension between fragility and endurance and feel both the personal and collective stories layered beneath the surface—reminders of how heritage continues to shape who we are today.
Written by Jennifer Pitterle
Southdale Center’s history comes alive through community memories and a modern lens.
For almost seven decades, Edina’s Southdale Center has defined the suburban shopping experience. Opened in 1956, Southdale was the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping center in the country, designed to cater to an emerging suburban “car culture” as families moved out of urban centers after World War II. And for several generations of Edina residents, Southdale has been a go-to place for retail milestones: hanging out at the food court, setting up wedding gift registries, shopping for prom dresses and more.
But as online shopping upended the retail landscape over the past 20 years, Southdale has had to adapt too. In its latest rebirth, the center underwent a renovation and opened a new luxury wing this summer. To mark the occasion, we spoke with Southdale leadership and community members about what the mall has meant to them and what its continued evolution says about Edina.
Bob Crabb was just a kid when he helped create one of Southdale’s most memorable features: He and his brothers Earl and John came up with the list of animals that would mark the mall’s original parking lots. “There was the giraffe lot, the alligator lot, the turtle lot, the camel lot,” Robin Wenzel, Crabb’s daughter, remembers of the long list of animals. “The parking area was so big, they had to help people remember where they parked,” she says.
Wenzel’s grandfather, Robert Crabb Sr., was a real estate expert enlisted by the Dayton family to help plan their newfangled shopping center in the farmland west of Minneapolis. “He studied the highway and housing expansion patterns and chose the location,” Bob remembers. “He also recommended they hire Victor Gruen to be the architect on the project.” Robert Crabb Sr. had grown up in Minneapolis and moved his family—including young Bob—to Edina from Seattle when the Southdale project got underway. “I remember there was still farmland in all directions,” Bob says. “In
The new luxury wing at Southdale Center welcomes shoppers with an elevated mix of high-end retailers and refined design.
the middle was this enormous hole in the ground where they started digging. It was like a meteor had blown it out.”
Among other innovations, the original Southdale planners decided on multiple anchor department stores (instead of the typical one), which included Dayton’s and Donaldson’s. A beautifully designed atrium would let in natural light and provide space for plants and art pieces.
As soon as the center opened, it became Edina’s hub, Bob says, “It’s where we went to shop and do pretty much everything.”
Wenzel is a third-generation Southdale devotee. “When I was a kid, my dad would take us to the B. Dalton bookstore, and then we’d get frozen yogurt,” Wenzel remembers. “And I loved the chocolate truffles from the second floor of Dayton’s.” Wenzel was a teen during the peak “mall culture” years in the ’80s and early ’90s. “My friends and I would hang out at Southdale,” she says. “It’s always been special to my family, and I’m thrilled that they’re reinvesting in it. It’s neat to see how many generations continue to experience a sense of community there.”
Another lifelong Edina resident with close ties to Southdale is Alissa Collins, whose parents, Rod and Teri Hjermstad, owned a tableware store at the mall for many years. Their store, T.R. Christian, sold high-end china and crystal brands and had been a success at Minnetonka’s Ridgedale Center. “The property company asked my parents to open a second store at Southdale in 1978,” Collins says. “My mom recalls bringing me to the store days after my birth to do paperwork; she had an office with a crib for me. I was essentially raised at Southdale.”
One of Collins’ favorite memories is from 1982, when her parents displayed a real Rolls-Royce, weighing 5,000 pounds, on top of four Wedgwood teacups. “It was a marketing event with Wedgwood to show how strong fine china actually is,” Collins says. She also loved to wander around the mall as a kid, exploring the back hallways, loading docks and freight elevator. “It was our playground,” she says. “My parents allowed it because they were in the mall working, and the security guards knew us.”
As for Southdale’s newest incarnation, Collins notes that retail centers have always been somewhat in flux. “The big chains and brands go where they can get free or reduced rent,” she says. Her parents’ store relocated to the Galleria in the early 1990s and then closed in 2006. “New renovations are what malls have to do in order to survive,” she says.
Judy Tullius, general manager of Southdale Center, says flexibility and adaptability are key to the mall’s next chapter. The renovations, completed this spring, include a luxury wing with high-end retailers like Burberry, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Moncler, Tiffany & Co. and Watches of Switzerland/Rolex. There are also new mid-range stores and experiences, such as CAMP, an adventure-focused store for families and kids that also includes interactive media; several new restaurants; a Puttshack mini golf venue; and Kowalski’s Markets.
Southdale’s campus has gone beyond shopping and dining, with Life Time’s athletic complex as one anchor and several hotel options. By combining all of these elements into a true mixed-use place, Tullius says, “The project is set to enhance Edina’s urban landscape, making it a more vibrant and attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.” She wants community members and guests to
Top right: In 1982, Alissa Collins’ parents created a whimsical display for their tableware store, T.R. Christian: a Rolls-Royce balanced atop four Wedgwood teacups.
Bottom row: The original mall directory for Southdale Center (1956).
not only shop and eat at the mall but also to work and play there. “It’s a welcoming environment where people of all ages feel safe and comfortable—whether they’re grabbing coffee, browsing or just enjoying the ambiance,” she says.
Tullius says an important factor in the renovations has been community pride and buy-in. “Southdale means much more to the Edina community than just being a shopping destination—it represents a piece of local history and a symbol of progress and connection,” she says. “That historical significance gives the community a sense of pride. It’s a local icon that put Edina on the map.”
Joan McCoy’s family moved to Edina in 1969 when she was 13, and she immediately fell in love with Southdale. McCoy says,
“We felt we had hit the big city when we saw the escalators!” As for most longtime Southdale fans, the tiny details make McCoy’s most beloved memories. “I felt so grown up, ending our shopping day at The Brothers restaurant without an adult present and ordering a Coke and a banana cream pie with a friend,” she says.
Liz Oie has been shopping at Southdale since 1968, when she was 5. “I look forward to taking my grandchildren shopping at the new Southdale,” Oie says. “We’ll be able to catch a movie, shop, have dinner and even fit in some mini golf.”
Southdale Center simon.com @southdalecenter
A natural gift turns local writer and illustrator into a social media sensation with a bestselling manga
At first glance, Ethan Johnson might seem like any other 23-year-old Edina resident. But scroll down his Instagram, TikTok or YouTube channel, and you’ll quickly discover his hidden talent—and his growing audience. Johnson is the creator of Dishonor, a self-published manga (Japanese comic book) series inspired by samurai films, Japanese mythology and a lifelong love of storytelling and art.
“I’ve always been into drawing and writing stories ever since I was a kid,” Johnson says. “And during quarantine, when COVID-19 was at its peak, I got back into it. I was drawing the characters for it, and eventually I thought, ‘Why not actually make the story and not just have it be something in my head?’”
Some of Johnson’s earliest memories are of drawing. “My earliest memory was drawing stick figure images for my dad to post in his workshop. I could have been 2 or 3 years old,” he says.
In the third grade, he discovered manga. “My friend gave me a copy of Dragon Ball Z. And then I started reading One Piece and Naruto as well,” he says. Over the years, his creative influences expanded. “I loved superheroes as a kid. I originally wrote a superheroinspired story. As I got older, I got into movies and especially mob movies and gangster movies like Goodfellas and The Godfather.”
What began as a superhero story evolved into a mafia movie script. Then, during the pandemic, Johnson rediscovered manga and anime (Japanese cartoons). “I transitioned the movie script into a manga story, and from there it completely took off. I pulled inspiration from all the things that I loved,” he says.
Those things include samurai films like Harakiri, which Johnson describes as “anti-samurai and critiques a lot of the samurai ways,” and Chungking Express, which captures “the vibe of a condensed, overpopulated city,” a key element in Dishonor. He also credits the TV show Better Call Saul for its intricately woven web of character development and plotlines. Also as intricate is the artwork. Johnson’s gift propelled him to popularity on social media with more
than 500,000 followers on TikTok. “The first video I posted blew up overnight. It got over 1 million views,” he says. Encouraged, he expanded to Instagram and YouTube Shorts. He also launched his first YouTube video, where he breaks down the process behind writing, drawing and self-publishing manga.
The work is meticulous. “It’s a lot more work than people realize,” he says. “I’ve had a lot of people comment on my posts and say, ‘Why can’t you make one chapter a week?’ It’s a complicated process. It’s writing a story, writing an entire script for a chapter and then storyboarding the entire chapter and then actually drawing the pages for each chapter. And the final step would be scanning those physically drawn pages to digital and then adding all the extra edits and dialog in Photoshop and then publishing it.”
Each step in the process can be long. “Some pages can be as quick as four hours. I’ve had other pages take me as long as 35 hours to finish,” he says. Storyboarding is the most challenging part. “Laying out essentially on the page like a mock-up of where I want everything to go … that whole storyboarding process is by far the hardest and takes me a really long time for each chapter.”
“I thought, ‘Why not actually make the story and not just have it be something in my head?’”
Ethan Johnson, author and illustrator of Dishonor
While he knows the full arc of the story, Johnson only writes a few chapters at a time. “I keep most of it in my head. I can remember every single important detail that I want. If I think of a really great idea, I’ll make sure to jot it down. I only actually write out the dialogue and the word-for-word events two to three chapters in advance before I make them. I don’t want to put anything too set in stone in case things change,” he says.
Johnson publishes each chapter on Manga Plus Creators, a Japanese platform for international manga artists. For the physical book, he uses Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for print-on-demand publishing. “I just upload the files for the page and the covers, and they take care of the rest,” he says.
Despite the painstaking nature of the work, Johnson finds joy in the process. “I love how I can share this,
and people are enjoying it. That’s really cool,” he says. Once nine more chapters are completed, he’ll compile them into the second volume of Dishonor. Johnson hopes to keep the series “between the 15 to 20 book range,” acknowledging the intense workload.
He may be his toughest critic. “Artists are never really satisfied with their own work,” Johnson says. But there’s one image that stands out. On the back cover, his main character sits on the hilt of a samurai sword, looking off into the distance in deep contemplation. “I’m proud of the back of the book. I like the pose and the look it has,” he says. “When you think of Dishonor, that’s the image people will think of.”
Dishonor by Ethan Johnson medibang.com and amazon.com @ethanjohnson81
The cornerstone for women looking and feeling confident is what lies beneath. This is especially true for bras. More than 80 percent of women don’t wear the correct bra size—thankfully, Allure’s trained specialists offer one-on-one fittings in a welcoming, luxurious environment.
Allure, in its stunningly remodeled space in Galleria, offers over 150 bra sizes. “Most big-box retailers carry limited sizes because there is a lack of fitting education from their staff,” says Sarah Mayer Gash, Allure president. “Allure offers many select brands, including Chantelle, Elomi, Natori and Wacoal, with styles to suit different body shapes and sizes, allowing the most accurate fits without sacrificing lift and comfort.”
A properly fitting bra gives a better appearance and also offers a whole-body impact. If a bra band is too loose, it can cause the bustline to sit low with the shoulders bearing much of the weight, leading to discomfort.
“In a properly fitting bra, there is less pressure on the neck and shoulders,” Mayer Gash says. “Clothing lies better on women’s bodies and is more flattering when everything is lifted into place.”
No matter what shoppers are searching for, Allure staff offers expert guidance. “Some women are looking for something special for an upcoming anniversary or trip,” says Chloe Amato, communications coordinator. “Others want a supportive sports bra for their new pickleball obsession, but all shoppers want to feel better in their everyday clothing.”
With more than 23 years of industry experience, Allure continues to be the place to go in the Twin Cities for an accurate, comfortable and educational bra fitting. “Receiving a proper bra fitting is an empowering, fun experience, and women leave more confident with a new appreciation for the lost art of customer service,” Amato says.
Allure also carries lingerie, loungewear, pajamas and swimwear. Options run the gamut from cozy and simple items to special and sexy pieces. Offerings extend to accessories, including adhesive bras, clear straps and lingerie detergent—providing a full suite of products.
Written by Feroza Mehta
Spook up your Halloween party with fun and flavorful recipes for all ages.
There’s something extra sweet about Halloween when the treats are homemade. Whether I’m hosting a spooky soiree or heading to a costume party, a platter of festive homemade goodies adds a personal touch. From gnarly witch’s fingers to a scary meatloaf, these delectable dishes are sure to impress ghouls and goblins of all ages. I’ve made these dishes for the last 15 years, and after minor adjustments here and there, they are all crowd-pleasers.
This recipe is an adorable way to make a standard appetizer more festive for the holiday with a few strategically placed red pepper flakes and pieces of chives.
• 12 eggs
• 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. curry powder (optional)
• salt, to taste
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper or ¼ tsp. white pepper
• 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
• paprika for garnish
• 2 Tbsp. fresh chives
• 2 Tbsp. red chili flakes
Rinse eggs in water, and place in a saucepan. Cover with cold water, and turn the stove to medium-high heat. Bring eggs to a boil. Turn off the heat, and cover. Let sit for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water and peel. Cool eggs in a refrigerator for 20 minutes. Cut the hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the yolks. Place yolks in a mixing bowl, and mash with a fork. Add Dijon mustard, curry powder, salt, pepper and mayonnaise. Stir for 2 minutes or until well-combined. Using a spoon, fill each egg with 1 1/2 tsp. of the yolk mixture. Sprinkle paprika. Cut chives into half-inch segments. Arrange them on the egg at angles to create devilish eyebrows. Place a large chili flake at the bottom of the egg to create a beard. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
I like to think of these as what holiday shortbread would dress up as for
Halloween—a classic witch costume with a cookie twist that is buttery and just a little wicked. These cookies walk the line between eerie and elegant with just enough drama to earn a double take and then a second helping. It’s a fun nod to the season’s spookier side.
• 2 Tbsp. natural red food coloring (optional)
• 30 slivered almonds
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 5 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. If you decide to dye the almonds, place the food coloring into a small and shallow bowl. Place almonds into the food coloring. Stir gently until the almonds evenly absorb the color. Leave them in the bowl for 5 minutes. (Too long and the thin slivered almonds can get overly delicate.) Remove, and let dry on a plate lined with a paper towel.
Separate one egg, and set the white aside. In a small bowl, whisk the yolk, whole egg and the vanilla. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir together butter, powdered sugar, granulated sugar and salt. Stir until well combined. Add the egg mixture, and mix until smooth, which is about 10 minutes by hand or 2 minutes with an electric stand mixer. Add flour, and knead slowly until it has blended into a dough. Wrap the dough in plastic, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or until firm. If you aren’t keen on plastic wrap, use a muslin cloth, and place the cloth-wrapped dough in an airtight container before cooling it in the fridge. Once dough is cool and firm, unwrap, and cut in half. Divide the half into 15 pieces. Repeat for the other half of the dough. Lightly flour the working surface. Roll each piece into a finger shape that is about 3–4 inches long. Pinch the dough in two places to form the knuckles. Score each knuckle with the back of a knife or a pie crust cutter. Place fingers on baking tray. Brush each finger with the egg white. Place the almonds (nails) onto the end of the finger. Push into the dough to attach. Bake until lightly browned (10–12 minutes). Cool on a wire rack.
I always like to serve a dish that’s more substantial than the average party bites. This zombie is not only comically cute, but it is delicious too.
• ¼ tsp. avocado oil
• 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup butter crackers, crushed
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded
Witch’s Fingers
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. seasoning salt
• 2 green olives
• 2 Tbsp. pine nuts
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4 Tbsp. barbecue sauce
• 5 cloves garlic, diced
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with foil, and grease it with a fine layer of avocado oil. In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, onion, butter crackers, milk, cheese, eggs, Worcestershire sauce and seasoning
salt. Blend until well combined. Remove mixture from the bowl, and place on the baking sheet. Form into a body shape: head, torso, arms and legs. Make two small holes for the eye sockets, and place olives into the spaces. Place pine nuts into the mouth area. I usually use 8–10 per row of teeth. In a separate bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and barbecue sauce, and mix until smooth. Use ¼ of the sauce on top of the meatloaf body, and pour the remaining around the pan. Bake for 45–60 minutes or until it’s no longer pink in the center. Add extra sauce if needed. Enjoy.
One is never too young to begin an artistic journey. At Edina’s Victoria Dance Productions (VDP), preschool and grade school dancers ages 1–6 learn the joy of movement while building a strong technical foundation.
Classes are led by highly trained instructors, many of whom hold degrees in education or dance instruction. More than teaching steps, they nurture confidence, discipline, teamwork and creativity—skills that carry beyond the studio.
“Victoria and her team teach more than dance. They instill discipline, confidence, commitment, teamwork and other valuable life lessons,” says Elizabeth Hang, who enrolled her then-3-year-old daughter Lily 19 years ago at VDP, where her youngest daughter begins her 17th year, “... continuing a tradition that has profoundly shaped our family,” Hang says.
Early classes are designed to spark joy while developing motor skills, coordination and social-emotional growth. Through circle dances, songs, rhymes and sensory activities, little ones explore the world of movement. As they grow, students are introduced to proper ballet technique, ensuring a solid foundation for future training. Ballet basics are paired with creative movement, while combination classes introduce tap’s rhythms, jazz’s energy and the grace of classical ballet in a playful, age-appropriate way.
“We want children to fall in love with dance while building strong technique,” says owner Victoria McNamara. “The best part? They’re having so much fun; they don’t even realize how much they’re learning.”
This balance of joy and discipline has enabled hundreds of VDP alumni to join college dance teams, dance professionally with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Vikings and other professional teams and grace Broadway stages. Alumni include Nola Winje, a world champion with the University of Minnesota dance team, and Laura Osnes, who began her training at VDP before starring on Broadway in Cinderella and Grease, as well as in Hallmark films and performances in Nashville, Tennessee.
From first dance steps to professional careers, Victoria Dance Productions is where the journey begins—and where a lifelong love of dance takes root.
7109 Amundson Ave., Edina 952.835.7495 • victoriadance.com
50th & France hosts a weekend full of Diwali events.
Edina Asian American Alliance (EAAA) has been holding an annual Diwali event for several years. For this year’s Festival of Lights, EAAA has joined forces with 50th & France and Raag for the business district’s firstever Diwali celebration.
It starts with a Diwali Kick-Off on October 10 from 6–8 p.m. at Nolan Mains. There will be vibrant dance and music performances by local groups, including Edina-based South Asian Arts & Theater House
(SAATH) and Beta Version. (Learn more about Beta Version at edinamag.com.) Raag will be providing chai and samosas. There will also be festive displays, community art projects and special shopping promotions from local businesses.
It’s part of a whole weekend of festivities, including events at Raag. For more information, visit 50thandfrance.com or edinaasianamericanalliance.org.
—Feroza Mehta
Get crafty and learn about loom-knitting during this introductory program at the Edina Library. Create a coozie, hand warmer or baby beanie by the end of the class. hclib.org
10.02
Llamas at the Market
Say goodbye to the Centennial Lakes Park Farmers Market season by saying hello to a furry friend. Stop by after you shop for the chance to take a picture and give a pet to a llama. edinamn.gov
10.11
Songs and Stories Unplugged
Visit Birches on the Lake for a night of acoustic songs and sharing stories. Featured artists include Stereo Kitchen’s Mitch Chargo and Stephen Condra, as well as Kevin Lenhart of The ’70s Magic Sunshine Band. birchesonthelake.com
10.15
Curated Conversations
Attend Drawing Imagination: Children’s Books in the Russian Empire with Carol Veldman Rudie of the Museum of Russian Art to explore and learn about artists and illustrations from Russian children’s books. Prepare to engage in conversation about the art presented. edinamn.gov
10.17
Sunrise Edina Business Breakfast
Meet other small to medium business owners in Edina through this networking opportunity at the Edina Country Club. Learn more about other local businesses over breakfast by registering with the Edina Chamber of Commerce. edinachamber.com
10.23
Witches Night Out
Shop and stroll in downtown Excelsior, enjoying access to exclusive Halloween specials at your favorite local shops and restaurants. Participate in a costume contest and silent auction, as well as an after party at Pique Travel. excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com
10.24
Halloween at the Lake
All ages are welcome to celebrate Halloween on Parkers Lake with exciting attractions like food trucks, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, treat stations and more, while supplies last. Costumes are encouraged. plymouthmn.gov
10.25–10.27
Friends of Edina Library Book Sale
Grab a tote bag and gear up for bargains at the Friends of Edina Library’s used book sale. All proceeds go to the library, so take home a new read and help support the Hennepin County Library system. supporthclib.org
Compiled by Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze
To have your event considered: email edinamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
The basketball courts near Rosland Park are where Vivek Shrivastava plays on a regular basis. One October evening, as he was walking through the park, the view caught his eye. “Just before the sunset, I saw these leaves turning gleaming yellow, so I took out my phone and captured it to include the sun along with the fall colors,” Shrivastava says. “I love the colorfulness and calmness together in this picture. A typical postcard of the beautiful fall season here in Minnesota.” —Feroza Mehta
To view other Images of Edina photo contest winners, visit edinamag.com.
IMAGES OF EDINA
Photographer: Vivek Shrivastava
Title: Fall Evening at Rosland Park
Equipment: Google Pixel 7 Pro
Category: Places
Award: Third Place
