Ingebretsen's, one of the oldest retail establishments in the Twin Cities, has been selling Scandinavian foods and products for 85 years.

The family-owned store is a local institution, staying true to its roots while the Midtown neighborhood around it has changed much over the years, and is now enjoying a resurgence. The store is also keeping up with the times: it maintains a comprehensive and informative website.

Visitors will find needlework and crafts, clothing for babies to adults, home decor, cookware and tableware, jewelry, and toys (expect lots of Pippi Longstocking), in addition to Scandinavian meats, cheeses, baked goods, and packaged specialty foods.

The store offers classes in Scandinavian cooking and crafts, including some family classes, and hosts public events throughout the year, such as book and CD signings, performances, demonstrations, and celebrations.

Let's Cook offers kitchen and cooking products, in-store demonstrations, cooking classes for adults (some of which cover kid-friendly foods such as cupcakes), hands-on workshops for parent-child pairs, and classes and summer camps for kids ages eight and up. The store can also host private parties.

Birthday kids can choose between candy-making and cupcake-decorating for a party where kids make their own treats to take home - they'll even decorate a box to carry them in! Sweet Wishes brings the needed supplies to the location of your choice - all parents provide is a refrigerator, microwave, room for the guests, and the birthday cake. Fees run $12-$15/child, based on an eight-child minimum. There are several themes and projects to choose from; visit the website, or call, for more information.

Classes: Sweet Wishes also offers candy-making classes for preschools, daycare settings, and youth groups. Classes run about 45 minutes, and all supplies are provided; minimum charge $100.

Way Cool aims to take kids and adults on an exciting culinary journey, from kitchen basics and fundamental skills such as label-reading, to more advanced techniques such as pastry-baking and menu planning.

Classes are offered for little chefs as young as two years old accompanied by parents, older kids and teens, families, youth groups, and adults. Weeklong half- and full-day summer camps explore different themes.

Parties: Celebrations include time in a private party room, paper chefs hats, a birthday cake and refreshments, and your choice one of a dozen themed menu projects for up to 10 children. Themes include High School Musical, Willy Wonka, and spa parties. Cost: $275-$375; $20-$30/each additional guest. A 90-minute mini-party is available for $235.

Whole Foods stores, operated by the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods, are like hybrids, offering the kinds of products usually found in small, local co-ops, but with the wide selection more typical of conventional grocery superstores.

The produce selection is high quality, with prices to match; same for the meat and seafood departments. The 365 and Whole Kids house brands offer some relief, particularly on kid staples like cereal, snack foods, and peanut butter and jelly. Sample stations throughout the store enable parents and kids to graze while they shop; or they can buy something to enjoy in the cafe area after check-out.

Prepared dishes run the gamut from soups to sushi, with vegetarian, vegan, Asian, and Mexican options. Fresh breads, spices, bulk grains, dietary supplements, frozen and canned foods, sumptuous chocolates and baked goods, designer cheeses, and hot and cold salad bars are also available. Pet food, bath products, magazines, cut flowers, and paper goods are some of the non-food items for sale.

Young Chefs Academy is a cooking school created just for young people, teaching kids about the joy of cooking in a kid-friendly and safe environment. Budding chefs learn cooking basics while preparing real recipes they get to taste at the end of each class. Students also learn safety, etiquette, and math and science principles.

Young Chefs offers weekly classes, birthday parties, weekend workshops, cooking camps on school release days, and field trips for schools and scout troops.

Young Chefs Academy is a cooking school created just for young people, teaching kids about the joy of cooking in a kid-friendly and safe environment. Budding chefs learn cooking basics while preparing real recipes they get to taste at the end of each class. Students also learn safety, etiquette, and math and science principles.

Young Chefs offers weekly classes, birthday parties, weekend workshops, cooking camps on school release days, and field trips for schools and scout troops.