Photos courtesy of que será
“While it’s bittersweet to leave Excelsior, it was time to evolve our business,” says Tom Lauer, CFO of Lauer Enterprises Inc. and Happy Family Designs Inc. Mary Lauer, his wife, founded the beloved local Twin Cities brands que será and oh baby! almost 20 years ago, with stores in the Galleria. “When we moved to Excelsior, on Water Street, we began evolving the business away from retail to a design service and custom furniture,” says Tom. At the end of September, the team is moving into the historic Thorp Building in Northeast Minneapolis, where the company already has its oh baby! design studio and fulfillment center. Meanwhile, the 244 Water St. location is offering deep discounts on all in-stock merchandise, including furnishings, fabrics, lighting, rugs, bedding, accessories, and gifts. The sale continues through August 25.
“The Excelsior store and design studio was in a beautiful old building and became a gorgeous showroom,” explains Tom of the decision to relocate. “But retail has become a such a minimal part of our business. Most of what we do now is interior design, helping people from a bedroom redo to a full home construction project. That’s more productive for us.” Mary Lauer will continue as CEO and chief designer at the new que será studio in Northeast. Michelle Rabe will also stay on as lead interior designer. The new Northeast space will be a design studio only, not a retail space. “We have a lot of repeat customers and referrals for our design services, which run the gamut,” Tom explains. “From people who just bought a new home and need a fresh eye, to homeowners in need of a plan, budget, and new finishes and furnishings, to clients requesting an advocate to help them through the construction process.”
The design studio also offers custom pieces, from lighting to furniture. The team works with upholstery manufacturers in California and North Carolina on frames, construction, style, fabric, and cushions. The new que será design studio in Northeast will be open by appointment for homeowners, designers, builders, architects, and other professionals. In addition, Mary and her team will offer comprehensive interior design services for new construction, renovation, and custom design projects, including space planning, finish and materials selection, custom furnishings and accessories, lighting, window and wallcoverings, installation, and styling.
The move to Northeast “made sense to us,” Tom says. “The Thorp Building’s owner is very proud of his building and is in the process of redoing a whole stretch of space near our current office there. It’s a beautiful space with lots of light. Northeast also has a cool vibe and the building is full of artists. We like that. And we’re excited to move into our next phase.”
