Stylistas are rejoicing at the new Woodbury boutique, Primrose Park, which offers Woodbury shoppers another great opportunity for unique clothing, accessories and gifts. The store opened in November next to Akita Sushi and Hibachi at Tamarack Hills, adding to their growing lineup of great independent retailers like Sisu, Merriment and Mainstream Boutique.
“Casually sophisticated” is how owner Jennifer Carnahan describes Primrose Park’s vibe, which is the perfect place to freshen up your look this season. “I tried to stay away from brands that other boutiques carry,” Carnahan says. “I have lines that you may not be able to find anywhere else in the Twin Cities.” The store carries an assortment of head-to-toe garments that are versatile for home, work or going out, with new items coming in weekly. “The clothes look refined, but have a casualness to them. They are things you can throw on for any occasion in your life,” she says.
The boutique’s namesake and soul is inspired by Carnahan’s favorite neighborhood—the famed Primrose Hill neighborhood in London. Known for its independent shops, cafes and celebrity residents, Carnahan wanted to bring the sartorial sophistication she loves to her hometown Twin Cities.
“To me, London is this global, unique, sophisticated city that has everything,” Carnahan says. “But you have all different walks of life that live there . . . people from all different backgrounds. That’s what inspired me and what I want to bring here. It’s refined and sophisticated, but not pretentious. I also want people who come in to feel that the store is very welcoming.”
Carnahan’s resume includes an MBA from Carlson School of Management and managing multimillion dollar product lines for McDonald’s Corporation, General Mills, Ecolab and Swarovski. After 15 years in corporate America, she chose to pursue her dream and opened her first boutique in Northeast Minneapolis in October 2014.
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and had the goal at some point of having my own company,” Carnahan says. “My goal is to grow the brand beyond Minnesota and turn this into a corporation.”
In June 2015, she opened a northern Minnesota seasonal location in Nisswa. Then last fall, she relocated the Northeast Minneapolis shop to Woodbury, which is now her flagship location. She has also held weekend and long-term popup shops at Arbor Lakes at Maple Grove, Eden Prairie Center and at West End in St. Louis Park.
Primrose Park carries sizes from XS to XL, and Carnahan particularly loves three lines she carries from France: FRNCH, See U Soon and Color Block. “They take a standard piece and make something unique. Like this basic black top, but with a unique jewelry detailing,” she says. “For spring we are seeing some of the retro things coming back. Jumpsuits, minis like short shorts and short skirts. And bright colors, like high intensity pinks and greens and blues.” As for accessories, Carnahan says “Big,” such as big earrings, bold statement necklaces and handbags with embellishments.
In addition to clothing, Primrose Park carries jewelry, scarves, handbags, socks, hats and also merchandise including locally made goods like hand soaps, scrubs, notecards, mugs and dishtowels which make great gifts for springtime, Easter and Mother’s Day.
