Best Outlet Malls Near Minnesota
Why empty your wallet for the latest designer merchandise? At a premium outlet mall, you get great buys minus the designer price tags. Items are often unused, which makes them excellent purchases. But fashion wear may be slightly outdated with "gently worn" written on the label. Shoppers can net premium savings on unused, slightly used or outdated (but not yet vintage) merchandise. Here are a few outlet malls to look into.
Albertville Premium Outlets
6415 Labeaux Ave. NE
Albertville, MN 55301
(763) 497-1911
www.premiumoutlets.com
This outlet mall is the place to shop for adult and children designer wear. Nothing is small about Albertville Premium Outlets. Inside are big brand name stores with sportswear and fashion at prices that won't squeeze the wallet. Adidas, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Carter's and The Children's Place Outlet are a few of the stores that are household names. Be on the lookout for in-store discount promotions.
Twin Cities Premium Outlets
3965 Eagan Outlets Parkway
Eagan, MN 55122
(612) 444-8850
www.premiumoutlets.com
Twin Cities Premium Outlets could very well be the twin, or at least first cousin, of Albertville Premium Outlets. Many of the outlet stores here, such as Ann Taylor Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Carter's and Tommy Hilfiger, are also in Albertville. All the better for comparison shopping. But Twin Cities also has its own unique boutique outlets such as 7 For All Mankind, Aerie, Armani Outlet, Haggar Clothing Co. and J. Crew. Like the Albertville location, Twin Cities has store outlets for children. Many of the children's stores in Albertville are also in Twin Cities.
Medford Outlet Center
6750 West Frontage Road
Medford, MN 55049
(507) 455-4111
www.medfordoutletcenter.com
Medford Outlet Center is a friendly outlet mall where you can dine, shop, get spa treatments and bring your pet. In fact, they love pets here, even giving them their own exercise area. Old Navy Outlet and j.jules fashion are ready with treats for your dog, if you have one. Speaking of fashion, Medford Outlet Center has CJ Banks, j.jules fashion, Maurices, Eddie Bauer and other clothing and footwear stores. For light and casual dining go to Urban Bistro, or visit Gingers for beverages and eats. Rejuvenate with beauty care at Bella Vita Salon. Shop for health and beauty products at Bath & Body Works. Buy stuff for the kitchen at the Kitchen Collection. Medford Outlet Center is at exit 48 from Interstate 35.
North Branch Outlets
38500 Tanger Drive, Suite 115
North Branch, MN 55056
(651) 674-5886
www.northbranchoutlets.com
Not everyone is totally into shopping. Maybe you're one of those people. But North Branch Outlets strives to make shopping a totally positive experience. For one thing, consumers buy directly from the manufacturer. Zales The Diamond Store Outlet, Wilson Leather Outlet, rue21 and Family Pathways Thrift Stores (scheduled to open) are some of the affordable brand name clothing and fashion wear shops inside North Branch Outlets. For furnishings and furniture, browse Ashley, Slumberland or the Furniture Mart. Fill your home with housewares and kitchenware at Corningware Corelle Revere and Kitchen Collection. Buy appliances and home electronics at Karl's Appliance & Electronics. Afterward, see a movie at the North Branch Cinema.
Eden Prairie Outlet Mall
8251 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(952) 941-7650
www.edenprairiecenter.com
Anchored by retailers such as JCPenney, Kohl's, Sears, Target and Von Maur, Eden Prairie Outlet Mall is one of the area's most frequently visited. This mall in the heart of Eden Prairie has an eclectic directory. In addition to the usual outlets for shoes, sportswear and fashion are high-tech game store Air Traffic Kites and Games, fast casual Mexican eatery Baja Sol, acupuncture and reflexology spa clinic Ochi Massage, mobile phone kiosk Cellaris and The Prairie Trap beer house. Movie-goers can see feature films at state-of-the-art AMC Theatres 18. With so many different attractions, Eden Prairie Outlet Mall is a center of activity as well as a place to shop.
Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.
