Saint Paul, Minnesota is known for its grand architecture, riverfront views, and historic neighborhoods. But tucked between its landmarks is a vibrant shopping culture that thrives on creativity, community, and a dash of the wonderfully weird. If you’ve grown tired of big-box stores and crave discoveries with personality, Saint Paul delivers. This guide takes you through some of the city’s quirkiest, most eclectic shops where you’ll find everything from surplus oddities and recycled art materials to fine artist supplies and retro confections. Locals love them, visitors remember them, and each store proves that Saint Paul’s shopping scene is anything but ordinary.
Ax-Man Surplus — Mad-Scientist Wonderland on University Ave
Few stores embody Saint Paul’s eccentric charm like Ax-Man Surplus. Established in the mid-20th century, this surplus wonderland has become a legend among hobbyists, teachers, and DIY dreamers. It’s not just a store — it’s an adventure through bins of industrial cast-offs, classroom supplies, hardware odds and ends, and strange treasures you never knew you needed.
The aisles are crammed with pulleys, wires, knobs, resistors, chains, leather scraps, lenses, foam blocks, and thousands of other objects waiting to be repurposed. The humor is intentional: quirky handwritten signs accompany many items (“Absolutely Useless — But Isn’t It Cool?”). Even if you don’t buy anything, wandering through Ax-Man is entertainment in itself.
Online reviews confirm its cult following. On Yelp, shoppers call it “a playground for makers” and “the kind of store you lose hours in without realizing.” TripAdvisor reviewers echo the sentiment, saying it’s “worth a detour” for visitors to the Twin Cities (source). Families especially appreciate giving kids a small budget to pick their own strange parts for a weekend craft challenge.
Insider tip: Ax-Man’s stock rotates frequently, so what you see one month may be gone the next. Teachers and theater set designers often bulk-buy, so come with an open mind and a willingness to improvise.
ArtStart’s ArtScraps — A Creative Reuse Candy Store for Makers
In a world obsessed with consumption, ArtScraps offers a refreshing twist: reuse, reimagine, and create. Run by ArtStart, a nonprofit devoted to sustainability and arts education, this store takes donated materials that might otherwise head to the landfill and transforms them into treasure for artists, teachers, and families.
Walking into ArtScraps feels like stepping into an imaginative laboratory. Barrels of buttons, stacks of vintage wallpaper, jars of beads, offcuts of wood, and reams of fabric fill every corner. Kids light up at the chance to dig through bins of colorful scraps, while seasoned crafters hunt for unusual textures to spark their next project.
Reviewers on Yelp call it “an inspiration every time” and highlight the friendly, knowledgeable staff who offer creative suggestions. Teachers especially value the low-cost “fill-a-bag” system, which makes classroom projects more affordable. The Facebook page keeps locals updated on workshops, supply drives, and seasonal materials, ensuring there’s always something new.
Insider tip: Keep an eye out for rare donations — from rolls of architectural blueprints to discontinued designer fabrics. Inventory depends entirely on community contributions, so every visit promises a surprise.
Wet Paint — Indie Art Supply Icon on Grand Avenue
For serious artists and casual doodlers alike, Wet Paint is a pilgrimage site. Founded in 1976, this independent art supply store has become a hub for Twin Cities creatives, offering not only materials but also expertise and community.
The shelves brim with pro-level paints, specialty papers, imported brushes, inks, markers, and calligraphy tools. There’s also a robust selection of student-friendly supplies, so no one feels left out. Staff members are more than clerks — they’re practicing artists who offer tips on technique and product choice. According to Yelp reviewers, the service here is “phenomenal” and “welcoming even to beginners.”
Beyond shopping, Wet Paint hosts demos, workshops, and artist talks. Their events calendar is full of opportunities to test new materials and connect with others. One reviewer put it simply: “Wet Paint isn’t just a store, it’s part of Saint Paul’s creative heartbeat.”
Insider tip: Ask about their framing services. Customers rave about the professional quality and reasonable pricing, perfect for elevating your own work or refreshing thrifted art finds.
Candyland — Retro Treats & Popcorn Legend in Downtown
Shopping isn’t complete without a sweet finish, and in Saint Paul, that means Candyland. This family-owned confectionery has delighted locals since 1932, earning a reputation for irresistible popcorn and old-fashioned candy counters.
Their caramel corn is iconic, but the Chicago Mix — a blend of cheese, caramel, and plain popcorn — is the real crowd favorite. Behind glass cases, you’ll also find fudge, truffles, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and rows of nostalgic treats like saltwater taffy. As one Yelp reviewer put it: “Walking in feels like stepping back into childhood.”
TripAdvisor travelers recommend Candyland as a must-stop before a show at the Ordway or a Minnesota Wild game. It’s not unusual to see locals carrying ribboned gift boxes downtown during the holidays — a sure sign of Candyland loyalty. Their website lists up-to-date hours for all three metro locations, but the downtown shop remains the flagship.
Insider tip: Don’t leave without trying the cheese popcorn. It’s famous for being so good that it turns skeptics into lifelong fans.
How to Plan Your Quirky Saint Paul Shopping Day
To get the most out of these eclectic spots, plan your day strategically. Start at Ax-Man Surplus late in the morning, when the light rail is less crowded. Allow yourself at least an hour to wander — more if you’re shopping with kids. From there, head south to ArtScraps for an afternoon creativity boost. Grab lunch nearby at a local café before continuing to Wet Paint, where you can browse or even catch a demo. Cap the evening at Candyland with a bag of Chicago Mix in hand as you stroll Lowertown or catch a show downtown.
Tips for visitors:
- Transportation: Ax-Man is directly off the Green Line light rail. Wet Paint and ArtScraps are best reached by car, rideshare, or bus.
- Bring a tote: With bulky or oddly shaped items (like foam boards from ArtScraps), reusable bags make carrying easier.
- Check hours: Each shop keeps its own schedule. Verify on official websites before you go, especially around holidays.
- Support local: Each store is independently owned or nonprofit-run. Your purchases directly support Saint Paul’s creative community.
Final Thoughts
Saint Paul’s quirky shops prove that shopping can be more than just a transaction — it can be an experience, a story, and a spark of inspiration. Whether you’re scavenging surplus parts at Ax-Man, filling a bag with oddities at ArtScraps, browsing high-quality brushes at Wet Paint, or indulging your sweet tooth at Candyland, you’re connecting with the city’s personality. These aren’t just stores; they’re living parts of the community, beloved by locals and unforgettable to visitors.
So the next time you’re in Saint Paul, skip the chain stores and head for the places that keep the city’s spirit alive. You’ll leave not just with bags of quirky treasures, but with stories you’ll want to share long after your visit.