Robbinsdale’s Minnesota Makers Grows Online Business During Pandemic

A Robbinsdale business is seeing a hike in its online sales. This comes after COVID-19 forced the business to put more focus on its website. Minnesota Makers features and sells products from 120 Minnesota artists. 

Minnesota Makers in Robbinsdale.

Jay Kalk, co-owner of Minnesota Makers, said he gained a few new skills because of the online sales.

“Almost everyday I’m taking pictures, editing them, getting them out online,” said Kalk.

Kalk even went as far as investing in new lights and a camera so he can take those perfect product pictures. The efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Online sales skyrocketed, going up by at least 500% since the beginning of the year. 

“First thing in the morning I have to come here and fulfill those orders,” said Kalk. “And I have a full table here full of packages ready to go out, and I’m not even close to being done.”

But Kalk said the boost in sales isn’t all his doing. Rather, he said, it’s because customers are choosing to shop local.

“I’m a real believer of small locally owned stores because I worked for one for over 41 years. So I think it’s important to support them, especially now,” said Carole Martens, a loyal shopper of Minnesota Makers.

Robbinsdale