SENTi, founded by the multi-talented Jen Knoch, is a jewel box of a shop located in the heart of the 50th & France shopping center in Edina. While Jen was in Grasse, France, a few of us filled in for her at the shop. This is me, trying to look like I know what I’m doing, minutes before opening the shop in late May.
Recently, I stood in as the shop-keep for my friend Jen Knoch who founded SENTi, a fragrance (and a lot more) shop located in Nolan Mains in Edina. Jen was headed to Grasse, France, known as the perfume capital of the world, and leading a group of other creative women to tour the area and perfume museum (even mixing some of their own concoctions). Jen’s shop is a tiny jewel-box of a boutique, and she typically is there with her expertise to help customers learn more about the fragrances (many of them exclusive to the U.S.) that she carries. A few of her friends volunteered to take shifts at her shop while she was away.
My view from behind the counter—sweetness all around. I brought in a cutting from one of our hellebores because Jen typically has fresh flowers or food or drink for guests to sample. It’s all about activating all the senses!
I had only worked at the shop as her assistant one other time, and it was packed with customers out for her special May Day celebration where everyone enjoyed cocktails and flower crowns as part of the festivities. I was a bit nervous to be running her shop solo this time, especially on a Saturday for seven hours. But, just as Jen assured me, her customers were lovely, patient, and kind, so even though the day was busy (and my 10-year-old son saved me on a couple of occasions from what could have been a tech meltdown), I had a ball showing new customers around the shop and meeting new people. The people-watching out her large display windows was also a treat. I knew I loved the shop as a customer, and now I hope to return one day behind the counter OR better yet, join Jen on her next trip to Grasse!