The Linden Tree has Local Roots

In her psychology practice, Melissa Wheelock Pederson helps women tap into their creative energy, discovering what brings them joy and fulfillment as a means of navigating difficult transitions.  

Last year, a space for rent and the encouragement of friends helped Pederson to take her own advice and walk the walk of following her creative passions to personal happiness.

“I went to get bread at one day and I came out and saw a ‘For Rent’ sign. My thought was, ‘Oh, not a Starbucks. We need a cool store. We need specialty fabrics and locally made handcrafted things.’ And so I figured I could find one of my entrepreneurial friends to do that,” Pederson said. “I set out to find someone to do it and everyone I pitched it to said, ‘That’s a great idea, you should do that.’”  

Thus, the seeds of were planted. 

Officially opening in October in the space that was most recently the back half of, The Linden Tree held a grand opening in November. That has since become a nearly year-long celebration, as the grand opening sign froze in the winter and couldn’t be taken down until after the thaw. Pederson decided to leave it up even longer after several new customers told her it was the reason they stopped in.

The majority of two walls in the quaint shop are devoted to fabrics, most of them imported as Pederson said it is difficult to find quality fabrics made in the United States. The rest of The Linden Tree is filled with local, handcrafted goods from original art pieces to jewelry and children’s clothes. 

And local at The Linden Tree really means local; around-the-corner local in many cases. Pederson lives just four blocks from the shop and seven of The Linden Tree’s artists live on her block. Most of the artists and craftspeople represented at the shop live in or near Linden Hills. Pederson’s “big import” is the Good Earth line of natural soaps and candles from Wisconsin. 

Explaining that The Linden Tree is both a place to find locally-made items and a place to inspire one’s own creative spirit, Pederson said the shop offers basic sewing classes for all ages. It does not, however, offer classes on knitting. The Linden Tree does not carry yarn. This is because Pederson is focused not only on the success of The Linden Tree, but that of all the businesses in the area, saying she wants to complement the neighborhood rather than compete with the existing businesses. Pederson said she hears requests for yarn all the time, but she’s chosen not to carry it because “there are already two good yarn stores in the area.” Eventually, The Linden Tree may offer a small selection of yarn, but only enough to encourage people to knit and then send them to the other stores.  

“We are committed to helping support all the stores in the area,” Pederson said. “In general, I think that happens in Linden Hills but it’s especially important to us because it’s our community and we want to see all the stores do well.”

Next door, has enjoyed the addition of The Linden Tree. 

“We like the energy of all the artists that come and go,” Nancy Lindquist of Brown and Greene Floral said. “They’re featuring local artists and there are a lot of children, so it’s a happy and good energy.” 

That energy alone may be evidence that Pederson has successfully followed her own counsel.