Curiosity offers furniture, vintage housewares, kitchen supplies and more
Jennifer Rochel’s family has a history of selling furniture.
The St. Anthony East resident, who prefers to go by her middle name, is following in the footsteps of her grandfather — the proprietor of a combination funeral home and furniture store, as was the custom in centuries past — by opening a home décor boutique in Northeast Minneapolis.
“It’s kind of been my dream for a long time to get into this and do what he did,” she said.
Rochel and her husband opened Curiosity in mid-August near 13th & 2nd in the Sheridan neighborhood. The space was once the back of Eat My Words, a used book store that relocated down the block. With less than 500 square feet to work with, she said the store’s wares will constantly evolve.
“I don’t have six of this table in a warehouse somewhere. When it’s gone, it’s gone,” she said.
Curiosity is an “occasional store” without set hours. It’s open two long weekends each month, typically from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon–6 p.m. Sundays.
During the store’s closed weekends, Rochel heads to area trade shows to find and buy Curiosity’s vintage goods, furniture and new products.
Shoppers can expect to find sustainable kitchen and dining products, down pillows, gifts and plenty of new and reclaimed furniture, from dining chairs and side tables to sofas and coffee tables. There are locally produced bath products and art pieces the store carries on consignment. Rochel keeps an inventory of products on the store’s website and online shopping is coming soon.
Rochel said locals have embraced the store in its first couple months. When the store opened its doors during Labor Day weekend she said it drew families visiting from out of town.
“The neighborhood support has been great, but the location has been amazing for (attracting travelers) as well,” she said.
Curiosity fills the last space in a building that’s home to the Squared-Up salon and Marigold Way, a textiles and apparel shop. Nearly all of the corner’s commercial spaces have changed hands in the past year. Sleepy V’s, formerly Rebel Donut Bar, took over an art gallery space, and Social Catering replaced Chowgirls Killer Catering when the company moved its headquarters to the Mid-City Industrial area. Local hot sauce brand Cry Baby Craig’s operates out of a kitchen and a small retail space in the building.
Curiosity is now open at 1228 2nd St. NE. It fronts 13th Avenue Northeast. Days and hours are listed online at curiosityhomedecor.com.
