Help Bring A Likeness to Reality to Life
A Likeness to Reality is growing from an idea into an immersive shopping experience where stories, nostalgia, imagination, and hard-to-find treasures come to life, all within the Brainerd Lakes Area (BLA) of Central Minnesota.
We’re raising funds to help with the costs of opening our physical location—including inventory, displays, signage, fixtures, security, décor, and the creation of our 3-foot Brutie, inspired by the real cat behind the Brutie & Me stories.
Be Part of the Beginning
Every contribution, large or small, helps move us one step closer to opening our doors.
Supporters can receive special thank-you benefits based on contribution level, and businesses may also have opportunities to participate in the Brutie Passport, designed to encourage visitors to explore and support participating local businesses.
Can’t contribute financially? Sharing our story helps, too.
Help Us Turn Imagination Into Reality
When you contribute, you’re not simply helping open another store. You’re helping create a locally grown destination where children and adults can discover something unexpected, revisit favorite memories, and experience a little bit of wonder.
Thank you for helping us build it. 🐾
Contribution Rewards
- $25+ — Brutie Friend: photographic documentaion of progress
- $50+ — Brutie Supporter:
- Photos and name listed on our website Supporter Page, with optional “In Memory Of” or “In Honor Of.”
- $100+ — Brutie Insider: Above + exclusive A Likeness to Reality supporter perk/gift.
- $250+ — Founding Supporter: Above + permanent recognition as an Original Founding Supporter listed in store.
- $500+ — Brutie VIP: Above + special recognition on plaque in store, personalized 10% discount card for purchases for the duration of A Likeness to Reality and invitation to opening activities.
- $1,000+ — Legacy Supporter: Above + prominent recognition as a major contributor and a $25 gift card toward a purchase at A Likeness to Reality.
Business contributors: At qualifying levels, businesses can also participate in the Brutie Passport, encouraging customers to visit participating local businesses.
Every contribution helps bring A Likeness to Reality one step closer to reality. 🐾
The Story Behind A Likeness to Reality
A Likeness to Reality began with one simple idea: What if the things we love in stories didn’t have to stay on the page?
As Brutie & Me grew from a children’s book into something more, so did the dream of creating a place where imagination, nostalgia and discovery come to life.
At the heart of it is Brutie, a character inspired by my own black cat. He went from real-life companion, to storybook character, to plushie—and now he’s getting a rather dramatic upgrade:
A three-foot Brutie!
Why three feet? Because A Likeness to Reality isn’t meant to be an ordinary store.
It’s being created as an immersive shopping experience filled with unusual and hard-to-find treasures, beloved movie and story-inspired merchandise, seasonal displays, nostalgia and plenty of unexpected discoveries for both children and adults.
The merchandise and surroundings will change with the seasons, so there’s always something new to experience—and hopefully something that makes you say:
“I haven’t seen one of those in forever!”
A Likeness to Reality is being built one idea, one discovery and occasionally one ridiculously large black cat at a time.
And you’re invited to watch it all come to life.
A Likeness to Reality
Where imagination doesn’t have to stay imaginary.🐾
🐾 Gramma Stina’s Stories LLC
grammastinasstories@yahoo.com
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