Shopping in South Saint Paul

Yelpers give the book store a strong 4.5 stars and agree that it's a charming space with a knowledgeable staff.

Entrepreneur and frame designer David Ulrich has cleared the vision of Twin Cities citizens since 1969. Besides creating a wealth of exclusive eyeglasses frames, such as the sleek 8 Below Zero collection and the retro-inspired Studebaker line, Ulrich opened Spectacle Shoppe to serve customers’ optic needs. There, teams of certified opticians accurately assess prescriptions and fashion single-vision, progressive, or bifocal lenses in the in-house lab. Clients confer with the staff to design custom frames or choose from the shop's thousands of one-of-a-kind frames, vintage cat's-eye styles, and double monocles.

With today’s Groupon, dress your dwelling in the home décor version of temporary tattoos. For $15, you’ll get $30 worth of wall vinyl from Ekcetera, a small, inventive studio specializing in creative, quality, and custom designs.

Though it advertises itself as the largest no-kill shelter in the Twin Cities, Animal Ark’s homey facility seems more like a relaxing retreat for the more than 1,000 homeless cats, dogs, and rabbits that come through its doors each year. Cats bask in sunlight within feline apartments as dogs lounge atop soft raised beds in their own spacious kennels, sinking teeth into chew toys and treats. Of course, time at Animal Ark isn't all leisure. Canines awaiting their forever homes stretch their legs across a large outdoor play yard, aptly named the Ark Park, where ample trees and greenery mix with park benches where dogs can train their human friends to sit.

Potential owners can also get to know adoptable pets online. The website posts a first-person profile of each available animal that lists its breed, personality, and master’s degrees.

Makeup artists Jacqueline and Ashley bring their cosmetics-industry expertise to Roe Wolfe, where they consult with clients, apply makeup, and teach lessons, among other services. Ashley has designed makeup for more than 20 runway shows, including work at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York for their tastefully naughty auto-lingerie collection. Jacqueline has worked with high-end brands such as Shu Uemura and MAC. Either artist can ready clients’ faces for weddings, photo shoots, or haute security cameras. Their clean, compact storefront teems with high-end clothing, cosmetics, and accessories from brands such as Bobi, Winter Kate, and House of Harlow 1960.:m]]