On The News
This week, Swedish Gift Store had the honor of being featured on WCCO News in a story celebrating Minnesota’s deep Scandinavian and Nordic heritage. The segment, hosted by Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, explored how traditions from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland helped shape the culture and communities of Minnesota — and we couldn’t be prouder to represent that story here in Lindström.
Table of Content
WCCO Scandinavian Segment
A Little Piece of Sweden in Minnesota 🇸🇪
When you drive into Lindström, you don’t just see another small Minnesota town — you feel like you’ve entered Sweden itself. That’s exactly what WCCO captured in their feature: the charming blend of history, culture, and community that makes this area so special.
As the news team highlighted, our shop is a gathering place for both locals and visitors from across the world. We meet travelers from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland — all drawn to reconnect with their Nordic roots. Whether they stop in for a handcrafted souvenir, a Dala horse, or simply a warm conversation about home, every visitor carries a story that adds to our shared heritage.
Brad Kempenich Interviewed at Swedish Gift Store
Why Scandinavians Came to Minnesota
The WCCO story also dove into the history behind why so many Northern Europeans immigrated to Minnesota in the 1800s. As University of Minnesota lecturer Lily Obita explained, it wasn’t just the familiar weather — it was opportunity. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered settlers land and the chance to build new lives.
Norwegians came to farm, Danes sought religious freedom, Finns arrived for labor opportunities, and Icelanders for professional work. Through a process called chain migration, families followed one another to this new frontier, planting the seeds of the Nordic communities that thrive here today.
Today, nearly one-third of Minnesotans have Nordic heritage — and the influence still runs deep. From our love of coffee and cardamom to the strong work ethic and quiet sense of humility, these values remain at the heart of life here.
At Swedish Gift Store, we see that connection every day — in the visitors who come looking for a taste of home, in the art and design we showcase, and in the stories our customers share about their families and traditions.
Swedish Gift Store on WCCO
Honoring Heritage
We’re so grateful to WCCO for shining a light on this shared story — and for visiting our little corner of Sweden right here in Minnesota. As Carlene said in the clip, “When you come up Highway 8, you literally feel like you’ve entered the Sweden landscape.”
That feeling — of belonging, memory, and pride — is exactly what keeps us doing what we do. Tack så mycket to everyone who continues to support and celebrate Scandinavian heritage with us.
📺 Watch the full segment here: WCCO Feature on Scandinavian Culture in Minnesota
