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Patina
Rating Details »
Categories: Accessories, Flowers & Gifts [Edit]
5001 Bryant Ave SMinneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 821-9315
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
9 reviews for Patina
Patina is great because it is smart. It's a gift store that doesn't fall into the trap of having lots of ubiquitous, stupid, cutesy throw-away items. Stop filling the landfills, please! I have found the quality of most of the items to be quite good at Patina. For gifts it is really outstanding. I did ALL of my holiday shopping here one year and it felt great to walk out and be done!
Their strength is in their merchandising. They arrange items in really engaging ways, either by topic (artsy religious memorabilia), product (intriguing garden adornments), or some odd theme they devised. I love that. Then I can find wallet ideas in 4 different place. Fun!
I like Patina for jewelry a lot. I got a birthday gift bracelet for someone here and she hasn't taken it off since I gave it to her! Bath items, green items, unique gifts for the boss, little surprises for friends, and the best office accessories are here.
It is kind of a chick store so dudes may want to go for a walk, unless you are a gay dude in which case come on in and enjoy!
So, let's get right down to it - Patina is full of overpriced junk. I know I've used the word "rules" to describe Patina in the past but, after my trip here last weekend, I've seriously had to rethink my opinion. I've decided that Patina is the upper middle class/upper class person's dollar store.
Sure, you can find some nice things occasionally, but you'll also find $10 magnets, $8 travel size body lotion and $30 canvas tote bags. Even things you would think are practical - like the kitchen supplies - are totally worthless when you really think about it. Just because a spatula is shaped like a fried egg and is relabeled "EGG FLIPPER!" does not make it worth $15. Basically, these are the filler gifts you get to complete a gift bag or it's where you go when you want to give the impression you care to someone you really don't give a crap about (you put anything in a purple Patina box and you instantly look like the most thoughtful person ever because the more money you spent = the more you care, duh.) Or, like me, you only go there after the holidays because 50% off means it's more in my price range.
Am I being mean? Probably. It can't help that I've been treated like garbage every single time I've been in this store (the employees at the Uptown location are much nicer, trust me.) This past weekend I stood at the cash register with a shopping basket and watched while the 3 employees behind the counter looked at me and then turned their backs to continue talking. Finally one of them helped me and asked if I needed any gift boxes. I said no, she asked me again, I said no (I mentally dared her to ask me a third time) and then, I shit you not, she looked at my boyfriend and said, "Ok, well, WHATEVER," sighed really loudly and then ROLLED HER EYES AT ME.
Ok, maybe not the rudest thing in the history of the world but, seriously? I wanted to point out the fact she's working behind a counter for a dollar or two above minimum wage and that I'm paying her bills but, I didn't. I'm not an asshole. Promise.
Skip it and go to CorAzoN instead.
I absolutely love Patina! I can't believe I had never been before today, as I've been hearing about it for ages. Surprisingly, the prices are very fair--not super expensive like I expected from a specialty store such as this. They have a little bit of everything: Home decor, greeting cards, kitchen supplies, jewelry, funny books, seasonal decorations, reusable grocery bags, etc.
I was in here today & found a "Disappearing Civil Liberties" mug, with the Bill of Rights printed on it. When a hot beverage is poured into it, (as the box says) "watch the painstaking work of the founding fathers vanish before your eyes and then reappear after drinking up or cooling down--Brought to you by the Patriot Act." I had to buy it for my brother's upcoming birthday, and he will piss his pants when he sees it! I can't wait. (For those of you turned off by me at this point in my review, Patina also offers a McCain action figure.)
In addition to the mug, I bought some candles, autumn decor, and a "Porn for Women" book--which showcases pictures of sexy men doing household chores, accompanied by phrases like, "Have another piece of cake, I don't like you looking so thin" and "Ooh, look, the NFL playoffs are today. I bet we'll have no trouble parking at the crafts fair!"
The clerks are also friendly & helpful. I'm glad this place is only 8 blocks from my house because I will be back often!
I LOVE Patina! I wanted to buy out the whole place and to decorate my house with everything in this store. They have very cute jewelry too and a lot to choose from! The prices are surprisingly good as well. One of my favorite pairs of earrings is from here.
You can easily spend a lot of time and money here. If someone doesn't know what to get me, I'll just tell them to go to Patina. It's the perfect place to come for gifts. They have cute, lovely, and unique things for every budget.
This store is very well put together and appealing.
When I go shopping for my job (yes, shopping is one of my job requirements), Patina is always on my list, and it never disappoints. I always walk out with bags full of cool women's office and organization stuff. But they also carry a good amount of quality stuff that you never knew you needed like Jesus packaging tape and fun things for the kitchen and baby. My favorite find was a Thomas Paul memo mousepad that I bought last summer. I ended up buying a few extra to give as gifts. My friends loved them and, in turn, bought them as gifts as well.
Maybe more importantly, this is a great place for guys to go to for that last minute gift for mom/wife/girlfriend/sister. In true guy fashion, my husband and brother always put off their Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve, and this is where they come sans list or clue and leave with great gifts (and cards) for all their special girls.
Gave this location a try-no better than the other one in Highland-really what is it about this place that people like?
I could wander around in Patina for hours. And when I need to get someone a cool gift, I usually do. Where else can you get a stuffed gun pillow? Or a lawn ornament of a dog pooping that says "No Dumping"? It has been my go-to place for gifts and/or decorations for years.
This is by far my favorite gift shop ANYWHERE I go. They always have the perfect gift and it is the type of shop where you go in and find stuff that you have to have, but never knew you wanted. Perfect that they have a cool website for you to shop at http://www.patinastore.... Where else can you get an ashtray with a picture of Jesus and the saying "Jesus hates it when you smoke." Priceless!
A purgatory of hip preciousness, gifty knick-knackery but IRONY abounds. Please don't try to drag me in there, I'd rather go for a walk while you find your girlfriend/relly something for Trogday.
