Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Zdon
Hi Susan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My husband and I opened Corazon in May of 2005 in an abandoned warehouse space in The North Loop. I had worked in retail and as a sales rep for years, and saw an opportunity for a gift shop to focus on local art and crafts that were approachable – and affordable – for everyone. I soon realized the importance of giving art or a gift that speaks to your heart; the name Corazon stuck. The neighborhood was changing as the strip joints were closing, in a sexy neighborhood we brought a little heart.
It became apparent that being in that location would not be sustainable with out a major remodel, so we opened our current location at the corner of Lake Street and the Mississippi River in 2007. The neighborhood embraced us and the functional gifts (with local flare) that we brought to the table. We are lucky that many of our first customers remain regulars to this day.
In 2008, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and my son Max who had grown up with Corazon started learning about retail. Corazon allowed me to spend time with my family during the 6 years Gary struggled with illness. A wonderful staff took us through these years. Max began taking on more duties at the store which has led to our partnership at Corazon today.
My original mission of focusing on the local art scene has shifted as the burgeoning group of artists has flourished all over the Twin Cities – we still focus on local creators, but we now include small vendors making quality goods from across the world. Our emphasis is always on gifts that enrich the giver and the receiver, and remain heartfelt.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I mentioned, my husband Gary was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. We had closed the original location and moved 12 blocks South on Washington Ave to The Mill District in The Bridgwater Building. While a wonderful staff helped me run the two Corazon locations while I cared for Gary, Corazon never really fit in the area and I closed the Bridgewater location in 2010.
Gary passed in 2012. I will always be grateful for having a small business, community, and family that supported us through Gary’s illness.
We had one other location in Saint Paul from 2014-2019. It was a beautiful space, but rocky from the get go. I am lucky I followed my gut and closed it before the pandemic hit, or our Longfellow store may have closed too.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a love of stores and art – as a child I even played store often. I think that comes from growing up in Saint Anthony Park, my Mom loved art. The Bibelot was also an early source of inspiration for what retail could look like. I went to UMN and found the retail merchandising program. It was perfect for me! I received a bachelors in textiles, merchandising, and surface design. My love for art grew, and my first job out of school was buying for Roxana Freese at the original Bibelot Shop on Como Avenue in Saint Anthony Park. From that point forward, I worked in almost every layer of retailing – from buying to selling, specialty to department stores, all the way to showroom displays at Room and Board. The last leg of my career before Corazon was as a sales rep for Jan Borene at Square One. At the time I left I was nearing 50 and decided it would be a bigger failure not to follow my dream of operating a gift shop, than to try it out and fail.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We love meeting new makers and neighbors (from all over the world). Get in touch, stop in, buy something or don’t. Let’s chat!
Pricing:
- Wide variety
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shop.corazononline.com
- Instagram: @corazoncollections
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CorAzoNShops/
