Kathy Lawrow, owner of Larue’s. Photos: Chris Emeott
Larue’s fosters connection between buyers and products with sustainability in mind.
Kathy Lawrow wouldn’t describe herself as a minimalist, and neither is her store. Larue’s, located in Linden Hills, is an eclectic collection of garments, trinkets and treasures both unique and sustainable. Through several relocations throughout 42 years of business, Lawrow has always promoted a personal connection between the customer and the clothes they buy.
“The way a garment feels and the energy that went into making it … is an important part of how it affects you in your life,” Lawrow says. “It makes your life richer. You have a connection to the art that you’re wearing.”
A Sustainable Start
Even before starting Larue’s, Lawrow prioritized quality, sustainable materials. “I started out with doing little home parties in my mom’s basement because I wanted to offer wonderful fabrics, cottons and silks,” she says. “You couldn’t really buy them too much at stores, so I’d be ordering them.”
Business escalated into doing flea markets and eventually opening the first Larue’s on 40th Street and Lyndale Avenue. The store quickly grew in popularity and inventory, sourcing designers through markets, studios and online to display their products in store.
Larue’s has a large selection of artisan-crafted jewelry.
“There’s so many different artists that we carry,” she says. “We have a number of artists who do upcycling, using maybe a vintage cashmere sweater, and then appliqué it or over-dye it using eco-sustainable plant products.”
Lawrow is adamant about making a contribution to the product however she can. “I love to be part of the process,” she says. “An artist will offer me 20 options of how I want to put it together … My client leaves the store with something very precious that expresses them completely right, not 2,500 of them.” She also uses biodegradable fabrics. “We don’t need to fill the world with polyester landfill,” she says. “The feeling and the energy of wearing a plastic bag—how good is that for you?”
Clothing is made from sustainable materials and sourced from local designers.
Sustainability is equally important for longtime customer and art consultant, Sheryl Felling. After discovering Larue’s about 20 years ago, Felling quickly became a frequent buyer. “I have a love of art and fashion, and I am an avid collector. I’ve purchased many unique items,” she says. Felling owns several pieces by local designer James Reilly, including a dress made from upcycled Afghan knits. Felling states that Larue’s commitment to sustainability isn’t the only thing that keeps her coming back. “[Sustainability] is important, but more important for me is supporting local designers, artists and businesses,” she says.
A Continued Commitment
Lawrow recognizes this support through the store’s special events. Twice a year, Larue’s customers bring in unwanted items from their closet. Larue’s will price the clothes and sell them for 10 days, giving store credit for the items that sold. The company’s sustainable practices don’t just apply to what is sold—even discarded products find a home. “We donate the rest to a local charity that gives [the unsold items] to new immigrants,” she says.
The success of these sales—and the success of Larue’s in general—is something that Lawrow feels immensely grateful for. “I appreciate the people that have supported us over the years, and I’m hoping that we’ll be able to inspire a new group of people to have fun and feel good about what they’re wearing,” she says.
Larue’s
4301 Upton Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.827.7317
