BEMIDJI — Elena Marie never saw herself running a brick-and-mortar shop, yet the local artist's journey recently came full circle when she opened Midwest Mindset in downtown Bemidji.

The cozy store, filled with Elena's outdoors-inspired designs in the form of stickers, prints and clothing, is located alongside myBemidji at 301 Bemidji Ave. N in the building that formerly housed Morell's Chippewa Trading Post.

Design isn't a new endeavor for Elena — art has been an important part of her life since she was a little girl.

"I was fortunate enough to have a mom that really pushed it and just let me draw and draw and draw," Elena recalled.

Her love for art continued to grow throughout high school and she ended up joining an AP art course to further pursue her passion.

"I had an amazing te

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