Minka is a modern, handmade boutique - inspired by the beauty of natural materials and the art of design. The owners Michelle Rose-Larochelle & Christopher Larochelle are partners in life and in work; a passionate team committed to creating modern art and home goods that are timeless in design and useful in their purpose. Minka started over a decade ago as a boutique artisan gallery out of the couple’s garage. It grew to become a popular lifestyle brand, based on the coast of Maine.
Minka’s store is in the beating heart of Dock Square, Kennebunkport. Their signature products are showcased alongside a meticulously selected line of artisan goods, all designed to inspire, refresh, and engage the senses. The shop’s displays are bold and captivating, adding a modern narrative to the region’s coastal heritage.
At the center of Minka’s evolving identity is Christopher’s deep-rooted passion for film, music, fashion, art, and design. He approaches the store as a living canvas, an ever-changing composition where each element contributes to a larger creative vision. From the interplay of color and texture to the rhythm of the music in the background, every detail is intentionally curated to shape a distinct atmosphere. The result is more than a retail space; it’s an immersive environment designed to evoke feeling and spark curiosity.
Christopher’s hands-on approach to merchandising plays a key role in setting the tone.
Each display is thoughtfully constructed to tell a story, blending products in unexpected ways that feel both elevated and approachable. This same creative direction extends into Minka’s in-house apparel lines, East Coasting and I Like It Here, which Christopher conceived and designed as expressions of a timeless coastal lifestyle. Rooted in nostalgia yet refined through a modern lens, these collections embody the spirit of the store, authentic, effortless, and deeply connected to place.
Michelle brings a multifaceted background in fashion, consulting, and design, with floral artistry at the heart of her creative practice. As the visionary behind Minka Flowers, Minka’s sister company, her work is defined by an intuitive sense of composition, movement, and texture. Michelle’s floral designs are both innovative and exciting, earning her recognition on both regional and national levels. Her arrangements feel organic yet refined, blending natural elements with a sculptural sensibility that transforms each piece into a living work of art.
Beyond florals, Michelle designs and produces a range of Minka’s signature goods, guided by a commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and everyday functionality. Her collections reflect a deep appreciation for natural materials and traditional techniques, reimagined through a modern lens. From sterling silver and semi-precious gemstone jewelry to organic herbal teas, all-natural body care, and thoughtfully designed plantings, each piece carries her distinct point of view, rooted in beauty, wellness, and intentional living. Her creative reach also extends into publishing, with a growing book series available at Minka.
Michelle’s work is unified by her masterful use of color and texture, paired with an enduring sense of style that feels both grounded and elevated. Every creation is designed to be not only beautiful, but safe, healthy, and harmonious within the home.
Together, Michelle and Christopher bring Minka to life through a seamless blend of their complementary talents. Michelle’s organic, tactile approach to design meets Christopher’s eye for curation, storytelling, and atmosphere, resulting in a space that feels both artful and immersive. Their shared vision transforms Minka into more than a boutique, it is layered in love, a sensory experience where product, environment, and emotion are thoughtfully intertwined.
Where did the name Minka mean?
Minka is more than a boutique, it’s a living story stitched together from cultures, craftsmanship, and community. In Japan, a minka is a traditional home, thoughtfully built and lovingly lived in, just like the handmade pieces that fill our shelves. In other parts of the world, Minka is a name, a soft, personal expression of identity and warmth. And in the Andes, minka means community labor, people coming together with intention and care to create something meaningful. Our boutique embraces all these definitions. Every item we offer is a reflection of home, individuality, and the collective hands that brought it to life. Minka isn’t just a place to shop, it’s a philosophy of living beautifully, thoughtfully, and together. We chose Minka because we’re a little bit of all of that. A place where craftsmanship meets community.