Farewell, Minneapolis

Dear Minneapolis,

As we approach the ten year anniversary of our Uptown Minneapolis location opening, I have a bittersweet announcement to make. We will close our doors in Minneapolis by the end of May. Before you get too worried, rest assured our flagship Fargo store and our online shop aren’t going anywhere.

If I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you in the Minneapolis shop, I am Ashlie. My sister, Teresa, founded Proper in Fargo in 2010, and a few years later she changed my life by inviting me to join the business. In May 2014, we opened our Minneapolis store, which I have been running ever since. At the beginning of my time with Proper, I was 25 years old and had what felt like endless time and energy to dedicate to the store. A decade later, my personal life looks different. My husband and I welcomed our first daughter in 2022 and I am expecting our second daughter in June. Motherhood changed me, and along with it, my priorities. 

Being a small business owner demands oh so much of you. For me, our business came first, always. I’ve missed weddings, vacations, and holidays. I’ve worked long retail days and late back room nights. I’ve navigated a pandemic without the luxury of working from home. At all hours of the day, I’ve been conditioned to be ready to handle any work issue or answer a customer email that comes my way. These have all been sacrifices I was willing to make to do what I love every day. 

After the birth of my first daughter, I instantly felt the pull to devote my attention to her. I quietly mourned the dream I had for her childhood because I couldn’t be there for her 100% and give the business the energy it required. My second daughter is due in June, soon after the conclusion of our current lease term. I saw it as a sign to make the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make and step away from Proper and not renew the lease. I never thought I would feel the desire to put work on hold for children, but parenthood is an experience you cannot prepare yourself for. While I feel heartbreak ending my time with Proper, I am filled with excitement for the future of Proper and warmth in anticipation of the years ahead with my girls. I can only wish they will have a bond like Teresa and I do.

I am so grateful for the ten years Teresa has let her little sister tag along, like she always has. I am thankful for every customer who has stepped through the doors, from those who just wanted to have a quiet browse to those I helped them find something special. I am indebted to my staff over the past decade, whether they were with me for a season or years. I am lucky to have a family who supports my new path. I am proud of the time Proper has had a presence in Uptown.

If you’ve been a customer in our Minneapolis store, stop by one last time before the end of May, our final day of business will be announced at a later date. Following our last day in Minneapolis, you can continue to shop online with Proper, we’d love to see your addresses on our orders. Otherwise, Fargo makes a great weekend trip. 

Thank you forever <3

Ashlie