Whimsy’s By Krista carries on legacy in downtown Red Wing

Whimsy’s By Krista, an eclectic boutique that sells women’s clothing, jewelry and gifts, is now open in downtown Red Wing.

Owned by Krista Burkel, Whimsy’s By Krista continues the legacy of its predecessor, Whimsy’s Closet, which was open for 26 years under the ownership of Susan Olson. Burkel, who worked at the previous store, said she wanted to keep the Whimsy name because of its familiarity, but changed it to Whimsy’s By Krista so that people would know there was a different owner.

Burkel seamlessly stepped into the role of proprietor when Olson decided to embark on a well-deserved retirement in November 2023. Their relationship dates back much farther than that, though.

“Around 11 years ago, I was walking downtown and needed a part time job,” Burkel said.

“I walked into the store and, I didn’t know her, but I walked in and said, ‘Do you happen to be looking for someone for help on Friday afternoons and Saturdays?’ Her jaw dropped to the floor and she said, ‘I’ve been praying for someone like you.’”

Burkel said she started working at Whimsy’s Closet the next Saturday and continued to work there part time for 10 years. She never really thought she would end up owning the store – that was a seed that Olson actually planted.

“She was talking about retirement and she would say to me, ‘You wouldn't want to buy a little store, would you?’ But the timing wasn’t right. Then, things happened in my life and she asked me again and I said yes. I quit my full time job and started working for her full time as her manager last May.”

Whimsy’s Closet officially closed with Olson’s retirement in November, and relaunched as Whimsy’s By Krista with a soft opening on April 5. According to Burkel, plans are in the works for a grand opening event sometime in May.

Despite the new name and new ownership, customers can expect the same Whimsy’s experience that they’ve grown accustomed to over the last quarter-century. Burkel said she carries a lot of the same lines that the store had previously.

More than the merchandise itself, customers can count on the same customer service that makes Whimsy’s so special.

‘We really pride ourselves on our customer service. We welcome every single person into the store,” Burkel said. “We help people understand the lines that we carry, where they’re from and something special about them so that they feel like this is a special buy. We want to make sure that everyone who walks in the door, that they feel better about themselves after they leave.”

Whimsy’s By Krista is located at 325 Main Street, Suite 1, and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information about the boutique, visit whimsyscloset.com. To keep up to date on sales and new arrivals, follow @WhimsysCloset on Facebook.