Member Profile: Jennie Engelhardt
Jennie Engelhardt
Co-Founder, Hare+Hart - an ethical leather company
Current place of Residence: Lower East Side, Manhattan
Website and/or blog: www.hareandhart.com
Facebook: facebook.com/hareandhart
In a sentence or two, describe what you do.
I get to work every day with one of my best friends designing fun clothing and accessories.
What is your Minnesota connection?
I arrived in Minnesota (from South Korea) on Friday the 13th when I was 4 1/2 months old. I spent the next 22 years of my life growing up and attending college in Minnesota before moving to New York. I only recently gave up my Minnesota driver’s license, for which I received many amazing Minnesota accent impressions from bouncers checking ids.
How did you find your way into what you do? What do you love about it?
I studied abroad in Argentina and fell in love with the culture, including their obsession with beef and leather. After graduation, I ended up working for a shoe designer in New York, but always dreamed about starting a leather company. In 2009, I was visiting my friend who is living in Buenos Aires, and we decided to actually do it. I love being able to mix creativity and business as well as split time between New York and Buenos Aires. It’s also a huge plus being able to work with one of my best friends.
What do you find unique about MN or the Twin Cities?
After a stressful year of starting a company, traveling, moving and bed bugs, I spent 2 months in St. Paul last summer. I don’t know what it is, but Minnesota completely rejuvenated me in a way that no other place can. I tell everyone that Minnesota my “Tara”. Also, everyone is tall. I forget how short New Yorkers are until I go to church with my grandmother. Everyone stands up to sing a hymn and I all I can see is the smalls of peoples’ backs.
What do you tell foreigners about MN?
Other than trying to describe it’s “Tara”-like quality, I always tell people about the food. I remember shopping with my parents at the Farmer’s Market and the co-op before it was the cool thing to do. It’s such a new novelty in New York for restaurants to serve food from local farmers when restaurants in Minnesota have been doing it for as long as I can remember. Where else in the world would there be an all organic/local suburban chain restaurant? I also like to brag about the great musicians that have come from Minnesota and Sean William Scott who went to my high school. And the drive-in. Nobody outside of Minnesota has ever been to a drive-in movie; they are shocked to hear that they still exist.
How would you describe your personal style/taste?
Much to my mom’s dismay, I think that my personal style is a little messy. I like used mugs sitting on the coffee table, dirty sneakers and when my hair has lots of fly-aways. I like mixing vintage with modern, feminine with masculine - I’m clearly too afraid to commit to one thing so I mix and match and call it eclectic.
Did MN or the TC play any formative role in your life?
It has clearly affected my speech. I would maybe get away with people thinking I don’t have an accent if it weren’t for the long a’s and working in the hand-“bag” industry.
What do you miss most about Minnesota when you’re away?
I miss my family. I miss estate sales and having a vehicle to transport the items that I purchase. I miss the patio at Frost’s. I miss bacon night at the Triple Rock. I miss the lakes and living near nature even if it is just a front lawn.
Best place to get in some people watching?
Lake Calhoun on a Sunday evening in the summer or anywhere in New York. I actually saw Lady Gaga walking on the sidewalk a couple blocks from my apt last month. I wasn’t sure it was her, but then I saw her lack of pants and realized not many other people would walk around the city during broad daylight in just a leotard.
Where do you get your coffee or tea in MN? What do you get?
I am actually not a coffee person. I try ordering lattes because I like the taste but then I always get a headache. Sometimes, I buy the cheap hot chocolate at Super America. I love the sugary, powdery taste.
Something you HAVE to eat in MN… And where?
Oh man, this could be a long list. My grandmother’s dumpling soup from her kitchen. Blucy Lucy’s from the Blue Door. French macaroons from Sweets. Brunch at Frost’s. Lefse - I’m not sure where it comes from but it is always on the table at major holidays. Anything from Ho Bien. Chocolate Turtle cake from Cafe Latte - although I have started making it (the recipe is online!) and it only collapses half of the time.
Favorite MN blog(s)… (aside from MN Culture Club, of course)?
Smitten Kitchen, Apartment Therapy, Brook&Lyn
What Minnesotans are you watching? Who’s going places?
I just saw my first episode of Eastbound and Down and was pleased to see John Hawkes. I also enjoy watching the band Dinosaur Feathers. They are not natives but did attend college in Minnesota and usually stop there while on tour.
Best MN music spot?
First Ave or The Ascot Room
MN band in your iPod?
Dessa
Where do you buy stuff on the cheap?
Estate and garage sales
Your guilty pleasure destination?
Miami. And Treasure Island.
The perfect day in MN…
Sunny and 85 with humidity.
How to get around?
The subway and walking. Somebody stole the seat to my bicycle. And despite the endless ridicule I receive, I still enjoy my Rollerblades, another great Minnesota native.
Who are your favorite characters in history or fiction?
Lyndon B. Johnson, Gatsby, Edna Pontellier (at least until the end), Behemoth the cat, Betsy Ray.
Who would win in a fight: Paul Bunyan, The Jolly Green Giant, or The Pillsbury Dough Boy?
Paul Bunyan, clearly. Nobody with a blue ox has ever lost before.
Do you have more questions for Jennie Engelhardt or things you think we should ask in our future profiles? Leave them in the comments!
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