ShoppingBig Time

On a windy Minnesota day in 1989, workers broke ground for what would become the largest retail and entertainment center in the nation, bringing a new crop of department stores to town, fresh designer labels, 10,000 jobs, and more shopping than Minnesotans had ever seen. No doubt Mall of America had its skeptics from the very beginning. Among them were those who doubted that Bloomington, Minnesota, could be a fashion hub, and others who assumed a big box retail center would fail miserably after the novelty wore off.

Now fifteen years after its 1992 opening, Mall of America is the number-one tourist destination in the Midwest, drawing more than 40 million visitors each year—a greater number than Disney World, Graceland, and the Grand Canyon combined. It’s a proven success. Love it or leave it, MOA has become a permanent part of the Twin Cities landscape, putting Minnesota on the map as a major shopping destination.

For locals, Mall of America has become a part of life, especially for those craving the latest trends in fashion. Whether you’re shopping for designer duds or the hottest fashionista fads, MOA makes it easy with several trend-right retailers under one roof. But which shops are worth the walk? Take a day to check out the ones we deem noteworthy, and if you follow our shopping path, you won’t waste a single step.

For selections by contemporary designers, high-end handbags, and, of course, shoes, there’s no better place to start than Nordstrom. Fashion followers will have a difficult time leaving empty-handed, especially after exploring the extensive collection of first-floor footwear. You could spend hours surveying the latest from Miu Miu, Tory Burch, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, and Betsey Johnson, among others. Nordstrom’s second-floor makeover has significantly expanded the amount of designer women’s apparel available to MOA shoppers. And with the recent addition of via C, located directly in front of the Chanel boutique, and both an Yves Saint Laurent and Chloé display on floor two, there are even more treasures to discover. Contemporary designers such as Milly, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Tory Burch, Vince, and Tracy Reese adorn the labels of the flirty frocks and chic ensembles in this progressive area.

Head just outside Nordstrom’s first-floor mall entrance to Sisley (N190), a hip haunt for stylish twentysomethings  who don’t dig high-end designer prices and eschew trends. Women go for the boldly colored, Euro–chic dresses, skirts, and young professional wear, while stylish men go for Sisley’s collection of coats, slacks, and button-up dress shirts.

Aimed at a slightly edgier crowd, Metropark’s (N108) fluorescent green and orange moniker glows just down MOA’s North Garden from Sisley. As the retailer’s only location in the Midwest, the store boasts a killer collection of men’s and women’s graphic tees, funky hats (including stylish fedoras for girls and sporty screen-print hats for guys), plus jewelry and other apparel inspired by music, art, and fashion. MP is also known for premium denim collections in a variety of cuts and washes from True Religion, Rock & Republic, Obey, and other names. Handbags are also on-trend and name brand, including styles by Betseyville from the Betsey Johnson collection. Before you head out, take a break in the store’s small lounge and enjoy a music mag and an energy drink.

If a shortage of shoes has made you hungry for a shopping trip, be sure to stop at One Thousand Steps (N186). White shoe-lined walls and tables greet you when you enter the futuristic storefront. Take a look at the variety of women’s ballet flats, wedges, and heels by Steve Madden, Mella, Mia, Nanette Lepore for Keds, and an exclusive One Thousand Steps brand. For guys, browse the selection of street-sleek sneakers from Puma, Vans, Toms, Nike, Diesel, and Lacoste. The middle section of the shop features shelves and shelves of handbags by Guess, Steve Madden, Melie Bianco, Hobo International, and others. Find a neatly arranged wall display of unique, multihued sneakers in the back.

Continue on the mall’s first floor toward For Love 21 (E126), a new hot spot for affordable, on-trend jewelry, clutches, shoes, and other accessories. More boutique than big box retailer, Forever 21’s elegant sister store is decorated with oversized silver candleholders, faux crystal chandeliers, and a sparkling black-and-white–checked floor. Atop the round white tables, baskets and bowls of fashionable jewelry are displayed under spotlights. Grab a silver tray and start piling on the goodies. For about $4 an item, you can pick up multiple statement rings, bangles, and other in-vogue accessories. The adjacent room features handbags, clutches, wallets, and shoes in the colors and styles of the season. If you follow trends but don’t want to invest in designer accessories, this is a must-stop shop.

Put the money you saved on accessories toward a pretty party frock. When it comes to designer dresses, Bloomingdale’s takes the cake. The notable dress department on Bloomie’s second floor offers racks and racks of contemporary cocktail dresses and gorgeous gowns. Styles range from frothy and girly to clean cut and classic from big-name designers, including BCBG Max Azria, Theory, Tadashi, Sue Wong, and the always-lovely Laundry by Shelli Segal. Whether shopping for a cocktail party, black-tie affair, wedding, or fashion event, Bloomie's has the selection you need. After perusing the dresses, travel downstairs to the handbag section for fabulous finds from the likes of Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, Dooney & Bourke, and an exclusive glass-case display of Fendi, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, and Furla bags. Brides-to-be also love Bloomingdale’s for its gift registry, on floor three, thanks in part to the keen eye of registry consultant Dawn Degrote, who helps couples find the perfect crystal pieces from Baccarat or bedding from Court of Versailles.

Located just south of Bloomingdale’s first-floor mall entrance is Apple Store (S132). It’s hard to name just one reason to stop by this multimedia marketplace, so go in, browse, and see what the Mac people have created this month. Whether you’re buying an iPod, stocking up on accessories, shopping for digital cameras, gawking at the new iPhone, or seeking help from the Genius Bar, this Apple store—the fourth to open in the nation—is a destination for all.

Savvy shoppers recognize Benetton (S152) for its international style and colorful collections for women and men. Also known for its socially conscious advertising, this global brand is located in a storefront across from the mall’s Apple. With great nine-to-five wear, plus unique, warmly colored casualwear, embellished knitwear, and chic outerwear for men and women, this store is one that warrants a visit every season.

White House|Black Market (S148), two stores down from Benetton, is another chic spot for sophisticated officewear, plus flirty dresses for weddings, showers, parties, and special nights out. Fittingly, all of the clothing  is rendered in shades of black and white—but the monochromatic theme is anything but boring. The floral patterns, soft textures, and flattering cuts, which make up the private-label clothing and accessories line, leave women of all ages feeling elegant.

Fit fashionistas—or those of us that need a little motivation getting to the gym—should take the stairs up to Paiva (S262). This MOA shop is the best spot for modern women’s fitnesswear by Puma, Adidas, Fila, Brooks, Under Armour, and a private Paiva line. From sports bras and tanks for yoga and dance to footwear and accessories for running and training, Paiva’s got everything a girl needs to feel inspired about working out. On top of all that, the store’s clean layout, helpful staff, and fabulous fitting rooms make for a pleasant shopping experience.

Go from taking care of your body to enhancing your appearance. A few steps out of Paiva is the little beauty-filled corner of MOA, where you’ll find MAC (W294), with its rows and rows of multihued eye shadows, and makeup emporium Sephora (W200) across the walkway. (Aveda and Origins are also close by.) True beauty buffs know that MAC’s cosmetic offerings change regularly and the exclusive collections are only at counters for a limited time. Look over the latest, plus get a mini makeover from one of the MAC consultants. For a more diverse selection of brands, head to DIY makeover central, Sephora. Elongated black S’s adorn the doors of this brightly lit store. With hundreds of beauty products for hair, skin, eyes, lips, and more, this place can be slightly overwhelming. But luckily, customers are encouraged to test products at mirrored stations to see how shadow, blush, lipstick, and foundation work with skin type and tone.

Swedish discount-fashion company H&M (W117) has slowly made its way to the Midwest, and the giant Mall of America store is located just downstairs from MAC and Sephora. Fashion-conscious men, women, and teens who want to stay ahead of the trends, but don’t want to pay top dollar, shop at this 20,000-plus-square-foot store. H&M updates its merchandise regularly to keep up with runway-inspired fashions, so something here today may be gone tomorrow. Slaves to fashion are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Roberto Cavalli’s fall line for H&M. Adding to its list of past design collaborations (most recently Viktor & Rolf, Madonna, and Kylie Minogue), H&M worked with Italian design icon Cavalli to create an exclusive collection of extravagant pieces for men and women, plus coordinating accessories and underwear. Look for it in stores November 2007.

You can’t leave MOA without a stop at Urban Outfitters (W122), which is found a few stores down from H&M. A bright green and blue entrance welcomes hip urbanites into the store. Crowded with clothing, furniture, home décor, books, gifts, and accessories, UO is not a quick in-and-out shop. The high ceilings and overflowing displays give the store a warehouse-chic vibe, leaving shoppers room to explore the many vignettes and racks of clothing. The home décor collection at this location offers a great selection of cheeky dishware, bedding, throw pillows, lamps, rugs, and wall hangings—perfect for a city loft or an eclectic home.

The last stop on our shopping path is Staccatto (W132), a new shoe shop just down West Market from Urban Outfitters. The mod black walls, floors, and ceilings, with back-lit shoe shelves, creates an interior much like a contemporary New York boutique. Staccatto’s exclusive line of women’s footwear includes detailed ballet flats, wedges, pumps, and stilettos in unique, fashion-forward styles. A few haute handbags are scattered throughout the store.

Your Mall of America trip wouldn’t be complete without another stroll through Nordstrom’s shoe department, and Staccatto happens to be right next door to the department store starting point.

What the Future Holds
In addition to the 4.3 miles of storefront footage (including the fourteen fashionista stops above), the massive mall boasts the largest indoor amusement park in the country, fifty restaurants, a movie theater, and a 1.2 million-gallon aquarium at Underwater Adventures. Plus, it hosts more than 350 events each year, ranging from concerts and celebrity meetings to contests and nonprofit fundraisers. Retailers have come and gone, but the Mall of America’s occupancy rate remains an astonishing 95 percent.

With a successful fifteen-year history under its belt, MOA is set to embark on a new chapter. Phase II expansion plans are in the works, but still waiting for the go-ahead from the governor and the state. The proposed expansion would more than double the size of the mall, with space for 1.1 million square feet of high-end retail, four to five hotels (including one with a water park), museum space, a performing arts theater, an NHL–sized hockey rink, and a lively town center.

More immediate additions to the megamall include the fourth floor’s Cantina Corona, opening this fall. The first restaurant concept from Corona beer features salsa dancing and upscale Mexican food pairings with different specialty beers.

Transformations have also begun for The Park at MOA. Opening as Nickelodeon Universe in March 2008, the amusement park will benefit from fresh thrill rides, healthy eating options for kids, and additional entertainment areas. MOA recently opened Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, the first mini golf course in the nation to offer complete wheelchair access.

Also this fall, fashionable shoppers will have another reason to flock to MOA. Construction is under way for a new 3,800-square-foot Burberry boutique in the chic South Avenue wing. Another fashionista stop to add to our shopping trip!