I compiled all text and images for the shopping section of the 2009 Twin Cities Guest Guide.

1. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Neiman Marcus
Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009 46

2. Twin
Cities
shopping
No matter your shoppiNg style or mood, Dior sandals
there’s a place for you in the Twin Cities. Our shops and
neighborhoods have their own style and personality that
makes it fun and easy to find that perfect something. With
no sales tax on clothing or shoes and a variety of shopping
neighborhoods and malls that house local stores and retail
chains alike, the Twin Cities is a shopper’s paradise.
Downtown Minneapolis is perfect for that city shopper
Tiffany & Co.
with its 3 million square feet of retail space. The main
artery is Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian-friendly street that
features a two-level Target store, a homegrown company. Nordstrom
Farther down the mall, you can stroll through an eight-floor
Macy’s or past bookstores, coffee shops and restaurants.
In the summer, the street becomes a large farmers’ market.
The IDS Center, along the mall, houses well-known brands
NeimaN marcus photo courtesy of NeimaN marcus; Gaviidae commoN photo provided by meet miNNeapolis
such as Gap and Banana Republic in the Crystal Court.
The IDS is one of the tallest buildings in the state. For
more downtown excitement, explore the 8 miles of skyway
that connect shopping, dining and entertainment, just one
story above the street. Macy’s
gaviidae Common
An upscale urban shopping mall, R.F. Moeller Jeweler offers fine
Gaviidae Common spans two city jewelry for any occasion. Replenish
blocks along Nicollet Mall. Start yourself at JUUT Salonspa and
the shopping day off by stopping grab a bite to eat at one of the
at well-known retailers such as dining spots such as D’Amico &
Neiman Marcus and Saks “Off Sons. At the end of the day, head to
Fifth” that offer the latest styles in FinnStyle or Groveland Confections
apparel for both men and women to pick up some gifts for friends and
alike. You’ll find those finishing family. Incidentally, Gaviidae is the
touches to the perfect outfit at Latin term for the family of the loon, Saks Fifth Avenue
StyledLife and Cole Haan, while Minnesota’s beloved state bird.
Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009 47

3. Mall of America
S
ince opening its doors in 1992
with 330 stores, the Mall of
all photos courtesy of mall of america ©,
America has become a main
tourist destination in the United States
with more than 520 stores and more
than 40 million visitors each year.
uNless otherwise Noted
Aside from providing an extravagant
shopping experience, the mall offers
other thrilling activities such as
Underwater Adventures, a 1.2 million
gallon underwater aquarium that is
home to more than 100 sharks and
4,500 sea creatures, and a four-story ÅNickelodeon Universe, the nation’s first Nickelodeon-themed park, offers a fun break
from shopping for kids and families. Ride the Ferris wheel with Dora the Explorer or get a
Lego showcase with more than 30 thrill on the SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge.
models. The mall has also had its fair
share of the limelight. Mall of America
has been the site of Hollywood films
such as Mighty Ducks and Jingle All North Parking Lot
The Way, while and NBC’s Today Show
Nordstrom
has aired live broadcasts from the
Rotunda. With all it has to offer, it’s said
that it can take more than two days to
Nordstrom
conquer the Mall of America. Court
North Garden
West Parking Ramp
Market
courtesy of
Square
coach
West
ÅHousing some of the most cov- Market
eted handbags and accessories,
Coach offers an array of colorful Eats
and fashionable items that are LEGO
bound to make an impression.
Macy’s
Court
South Avenue
ÇThe NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway lets you get
in the driver’s seat of a professional stock car and Macy’s
experience 195 mph speeds.
South Parking Lot
ÑSatisfy those
seafood crav-
ings and Forrest
Gump love at
Bubba Gump
Shrimp Co. Af-
ter indulging in
the hearty menu
selections, stop
by the gift shop
to pick up some
souvenirs.
H&M
48 Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009

4. ÅWhether it’s before a movie or just during a
break from shopping, Twin City Grill provides
a relaxing fine dining experience. Enjoy the
1940s mahogany décor as you dine on savory
fresh seafood and grilled steaks among other
dishes. ÅMoose Mountain Adventure Golf is an 18-hole miniature golf course that’s
fun for groups of all ages.
Sears
Sears
Court
Underwater
Adventures
East Parking Ramp
Rotunda
East
Broadway
Transit
Station
(Lower Level)
Bloomingdale’s ÅBuild-A-Bear Workshop lets mall visitors create their own personalized
Court teddy bear. Choose from a variety of personalities from princesses to sports
players to doctors.
Bloomingdale’s
photo courtesy of metro traNsit
ÅThe transit station on the lower
level allows for easy transpor-
photo courtesy of burberry
tation to and from the mall for
shoppers. Catch one of the many
ÉBurberry is only one of the many new city buses or hop on the light rail.
stores to open at the mall during the
past year. Others include the Gucci
boutique in Nordstrom and Tag Heuer at
Bloomingdale’s. Best Buy is expected to
open on the third floor by fall 2008.
Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009 49

5. ÅIl Vostro Boutique (left) is just one of the shops in Edina’s 50th & France neighborhood that are exclusive to Minnesota.
bed photo all riGhts reserved tarGet corp; 50th & fraNce photo courtesy of meet miNNeapolis
ÅDesigner Christiane Lemieux and her New York-based ÅHeadquartered in Minneapolis, Target is a favorite spot for all shoppers. The
DwellStudio recently joined the Target brand family. glass entrance and cart escalator make this downtown location a unique Target
trip.
50 Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009

6. With tea houses, specialty bookshops, tattoo parlors, in-
dependent movie theaters and vintage clothing stores along
Hennepin Avenue, the hip urban Minneapolis neighbor-
hood of Uptown is an essential on your list of shopping
hot spots. In Uptown you’ll find young hipsters noshing on
salt-and-pepper shrimp at Chino Latino or perusing new
styles at American Apparel. Other one-of-a-kind retailers
in Uptown include Bay Street Shoes, where you can find
everything from Birkenstocks to BCBG, Kitchen Window,
which offers more than 10,000 cooking products, and Ivy, a
distinct boutique where you’re sure to find styles as unique
as you are. Inside the neighborhood is Calhoun Square, an
urban mall containing a mix of retail stores, ethnic bou-
tiques and several kiosks selling plenty of trendy items.
For historic taste, some local character and tree-lined
charm, stroll down Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Apart from
being historic and picturesque, this neighborhood is known
for its abundance of independent retailers and inviting ca-
fes and eateries. These 25 blocks run from the Mississippi
River to downtown St. Paul and hold numerous shops and
cozy eateries exclusive to Minnesota. Of national fame and
a must for little readers, The Red Balloon Bookshop houses
ÅIn St. Paul, Grand Avenue’s 25 blocks offer distinctive
boutiques, coffee shops and dining options.
GraNd aveNue photo courtesy of st. paul cva; macy’s photos courtesy of macy’s
ÅIn fall 2007, Martha Stewart’s latest line of home furnishings arrived at Macy’s. The sleek, warm, functional pieces make for the
perfect addition to any home.
52 Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009

7. photo by aaroN smith / smitty’s worKshop, courtesy of visit miNNeapolis North
ÅThe Shoppes at Arbor Lakes is one of Minnesota’s open-air malls. A refreshing shopping experience, the mall allows shoppers to take
advantage of the variety of retailers and enjoy the fresh air.
Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009 53

8. a multitude of children’s stories. If you
need a break, the nearby upscale deli
Café Latté offers soups, salads, sand-
wiches, a wine bar and the best dessert
choices around.
Not only do we have the largest
mall in America; we have the oldest.
Mall of America, perhaps the area’s
greatest shopping asset, recently wel-
comed Geox, Levi’s, Lacoste and Best
Buy—adding to the mall’s more than
520 stores. Southdale Center in Edina,
which opened in 1965 as the nation’s
first completely indoor shopping mall,
houses 130 retailers, restaurants and
a 16-screen movie theater. Nearby
Southdale in Edina is Galleria, an
upscale mall with distinct boutiques
along with favorite chains, including a
new Crate & Barrel. Farther north on
photo courtesy of meet miNNeapolis
France Avenue, you’ll run into 50th &
France, a swanky shopping spot with
an array of boutiques tailored to men,
women and children. Besides 175 re-
tailers and professional services, the
area features an art-house movie the-
ater and a variety of restaurants.
54 Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009

9. ÅSet between Lake Harriet and Lake
Calhoun in Minneapolis, the Linden Hills
neighborhood gives a small-town feel to
the big city with its many shops, cafes
and parks.
Southdale is one of the “dales”—
four popular indoor suburban malls.
The others, Rosedale, Ridgedale and
Brookdale make it easy to shop from
any side of the city. Brooklyn Center’s
Brookdale Center features a Steve &
Barry’s plus more than 75 stores, while
Roseville’s Rosedale Center boasts a
remodeled lifestyle shopping exten-
sion called The Plaza, and Minneton-
ka’s Ridgedale Center features a com-
pletely renovated interior and a Macy’s
so large it’s split in two.
Looking for something special?
Try shopping green at Twin Cities
Green in Uptown or Birch Cloth-
ing and Linden Hills Natural Home
in Minneapolis. No matter your taste
or specific desires, there’s a boutique
shop for you. Check out Bibelot Shops
four metro locations or head to Pa-
tina Stores five metro locations for a
unique gift.
The options don’t end there. In Ma-
ple Grove, the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes
Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009 55

10. is an open-air mall with top retailers such as Ann
Taylor, Pottery Barn and Borders as well as sever-
al one-of-a-kind boutiques. The Shoppes are part
of an ever-expanding neighborhood of shops and
restaurants. Farther outside the cities, the Albert-
ville Premium Outlets and North Branch Outlets
offer prime bargain hunting. In Minnesota, shop-
left photo courtesy of mill city farmers’ marKet; riGht photo courtesy of st. paul cva
ping is as diverse as the seasons. Gg
ÅAt St. Paul’s farmers’ market (right), most products are produced within 50 miles of the cities. You can also find farmers’ markets
in Minneapolis, including along Nicollet Mall, near the Guthrie Theater (Mill City Farmers’ Market, left) and in the Midtown area.
56 Twin Cities | Guestguide 2009