You know that feeling you get when you find a band before everyone else does? Then that band becomes popular and you feel ethereal brilliance when you hear other people talking about them because you know you liked the band before everyone else did? And, as much as you hate to admit it, you feel just a little bit cooler for it?
(It’s okay to admit it, guys. You’re among friends.*)
When I stepped into Mint Mini I felt like I had found The Allman Brothers Band playing a senior prom before they could even book a dive bar.**
Mint Mini — an offshoot of Mint Home — is dedicated to kids furniture, but the idea of both shops is to provide a curated collection of refurbished pieces that will not only look beautiful, but will truly stand the test of time. At its core this idea is about sustainability; when so much of what we buy now is disposable, why can’t we buy quality items that are not only functional but beautiful, too?
And everything in the shop is beautiful. They also offer sustainably-made toys and bedding that are sure to inspire and spark imaginations as well as please any parents’ design dreams.
“Well, sure,” I hear you saying now. “I would love to get one-of-a-kind beautiful, refurbished furniture that will last. But who can afford that?” And, normally, you’re right. The amazing thing in this case, though, is you’re wrong. Mint Home and Mint Mini’s prices are competitive, even more competitive than the upscale big-box store items you probably have on your “Dream Nursery” Pinterest board. (Again guys, we’re among friends. It’s okay.) Add in the fact that shopping at Mint Mini means supporting a local, (friendly and wonderfully helpful!) woman-owned business that offers delivery to the Chicago area with 0 percent chance of needing to assemble board A into slot F and attach with dongles B, D and Q, and, well, I think you can see how we found The Allman Brothers Band playing prom.
Whether you’re looking to decorate a nursery for a new arrival or spruce up an older kid’s room, try skipping the big box stores and head over to Mint Mini — you won’t regret it.
*And by friends, I mostly mean me, that strange parent blogger on the internet who wants to be your friend.
**Funny (true) story: my uncle literally booked The Allman Brothers Band for his senior prom because he had seen “this little band that was pretty good and super cheap” play in the Atlanta area. They were booed offstage.
If you go
4949 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Wed.- Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
