ShoppingBig Time

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!