Gallery 512 is located at 20 North Minnesota Street, New Ulm, MN 56073, right in the heart of historic downtown New Ulm.

NEW ULM — From signature scents to standout service, Gallery 512 has long been more than just a clothing boutique, and now, the community has made that clear. The downtown New Ulm shop was voted Best Clothing Store in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, an honor co-owners Danielle and Jessica said left them feeling deeply grateful.

“It’s really special to us,” said Danielle. “It’s the support of the local community. Most of our shoppers are local, and it was quite an honor to be recognized for that. We’re really humbled and thankful.”

Gallery 512 opened its doors in 2013 and has since become a cornerstone in New Ulm’s vibrant downtown shopping scene. But the store’s origin story is as heartfelt as it is entrepreneurial.

“We both grew up in New Ulm, went off to college, and wanted to come back,” Danielle said. “In February of 2013, our brother unexpectedly passed away. It was incredibly hard. We needed to channel our energy into something that felt productive instead of just being sad. Starting the store became a healing project for us.”

Jessica said, “It pushed us to take a really big risk and grab an opportunity that presented itself right when we needed it. Gallery 512 was born from that moment.”

What makes Gallery 512 stand out isn’t just the selection of high-quality, stylish clothing, it’s the experience.

“We try to create a very positive, uplifting environment,” said Danielle. “We want to offer more than just clothing. We want to build a welcoming community. We hear from customers all the time that they feel happy the moment they walk in. That means a lot to us.”

A unique detail that customers often mention is the store’s trademark scent.

“We love that when someone brings clothing home, it smells like Gallery 512,” Danielle said with a smile. “We want people to associate our store with warmth, joy, and confidence, a space that empowers women and is rooted in community.”

Jessica credited their team for making the atmosphere so inviting. “We’re very blessed to have a wonderful staff,” she said. “Friendly, welcoming, that’s one of the biggest things we emphasize when we hire and train. Good customer service is at the heart of everything we do.”

Gallery 512 currently employs between 10 and 12 staff members. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Danielle and Jessica say one of the unexpected joys of owning a business has been connecting with other local business owners.

“It’s been so fun,” Danielle said. “We’ve grown close to others in the business community who are incredibly supportive and helpful. Without the store, we wouldn’t be involved at this level. We’re just really thankful.”

In winning Best Clothing, Gallery 512 continues to prove that fashion, heart, and hometown pride make a winning combination