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The North Country Gallery and Gifts is filled with an array of beautiful art and neat gifts, much of it made by local artisans. Photo by Laura Muus
In December 2018, Danni Fortin was working her very last shift at the Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery. The gallery housed a wonderful collection of Minnesota and regionally made artwork for thirty years. Danni had worked there for four years and absolutely loved it, but it was time to move on. She posted on her Instagram account: “I know this isn’t goodbye. This is – See you later.”
Approximately two and half years later, Danni made good on her promise and officially reopened the space on Friday, May 21. The North Country – Gallery and Gifts will offer “products with a purpose,” focusing on local and regional makers. Everything is heavily curated, from the eclectic jewelry to the artisan candles to the wall art from 83-year old Doug Ross with scenes of the North Shore. There are even a few designer t-shirts, including an “Hecho en el Norte” tee that I might have to grab for myself.
Located at mile marker 97, about five miles east of downtown Lutsen, The North Country is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10am-5pm. If you can’t make it in person, feel free to peruse their offerings online at thenorthcountrymn.com. They do ship. They ship like crazy.
A table full of interesting knickknacks, a gallery full of art. Photo by Laura Muus
Danni and her husband, Carl Friesner, bought The North Country Cottages in 2019 and the gallery was on the property. It took a few years to get to the space, but Danni had a vision. “I wanted to look for beautiful things. I wanted to surround myself with beautiful things.”
And, it seems, even back in 2018, somehow Danni knew she and her dog Ollie would be doing just that in the space that she loved. It was indeed: See you later. Well, now it’s “later” and if you’re in the mood, stop by The North Country – Gallery and Gifts in search of something beautiful.
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