Best Places In Minnesota To Get Your Holiday Shopping Done Early
Consumers can't wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. More plan to shop earlier this year and finish early. Here are a few places to get a head start if you want to dodge the crowd. Take your time and look around.
Mall Of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 883-8800
www.mallofamerica.com
You seldom miss out on anything at Mall Of America. The shopping mall giant constantly advertises irresistible deals at brand name retailers and boutiques. You can pick up a coupon book at any guest service desk, or check out Malltip for special sales events. If you want to check out specials through your iPhone, MOA has the Malltip iOS App for downloading.
Midtown Global Market
920 E. Lake St., Suite G10
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 872-4041
www.midtownglobalmarket.org
The next best thing to overseas travel for exotic goods is to shop your hometown global market. Midtown Global Markets is ideal for gifts and decorations any time of the year. This indoor public market has exotic arts, crafts and gift items from different countries. You can buy artwork, tapestries, apparel, handmade gifts and jewelry at exotic specialty shops such as Simba Craftware, Tibet Arts & Crafts, Andes Jewelry and Arte Hispano. You can also support the efforts of aspiring Minnesota artists at The Art Shoppe. Parking is convenient around the market area. Shoppers with validated purchases can park at the Midtown Exchange Parking ramp for up 1.5 hours.
North Loop Neighborhood
207 5th Ave. North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.northloop.org
From fashion to home furnishings, you can buy almost anything in the North Loop district. Through the efforts of the North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA), the shopping district is growing. Just around the block are chic retailers, art and antique shops, restaurants, business services and entertainment venues. Nearby are a gas station, a bookstore, a farmer's market, parking and public transit.
Related: Best Places To Start Your Holiday Decorating Shopping In Minnesota
Ridgedale Center
12401 Wayzata Blvd
Minnetonka, MN 55305
(952) 541-4864
www.ridgedalecenter.com
Sales, deals and other events at Ridgedale Center are ongoing. The mall's magnetism comes from brand name merchandising and bargain prices. The Minnetonka mall encourages customers to get the most from storewide clearances, pre-holiday deals and holiday specials. Customers can join the shopper discount club and also purchase a gift card that can be used at other stores and shopping centers. Also, Ridgedale Center is full of customer friendly services, such as a list of parking locations on the Mall Directory Map, public transit schedules, wheelchairs, stroller rentals, free Wi-Fi, a mobile device charging station and security escorts. Hungry customers can enjoy good casual dining.
Apache Mall
US Hwy. 52 and US Hwy. 14 E
Rochester, MN 55902
(507) 288-8056
www.apachemall.com
It's worth the drive on these highways to get to Apache Mall. Shoppers can score real deals such as $7 clearance sales, $12 jeans, $10 tees and deep discounts on other items. Sometimes, shoppers can receive additional discounts on merchandise clearances. Customers can sign up for the shopper discount club and also buy a gift card accepted at other malls and stores. Such conveniences would appeal to the frequent shopper, or the shopper who just wants a done deal before the holiday season lights up.
Related: Best Places For Black Friday Shopping Deals In Minnesota
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.
