^TM

by MADELYN MILLER

While the Mall of America may be the Mecca for many shoppers traveling to Minnesota, there are many more places to satisfy your every acquisitive need. After you have explored the 400 stores covering 4.4 million square feet, check out some of the not-so-ordinary and sometimes hidden spots around the city.

My best buy in a week of intensive shopping in the Twin Cities was at Ragstock. Imagine beautiful silk kimonos for only $12. Whenever I go to Japan, I try to be in Tokyo on the weekends to go to the flea markets so I can bring back kimonos for myself and gifts for friends. (A cultural belief makes Japanese people reluctant to wear the clothes of people who have passed on )

Now I know I can jump on a plane (Northwest Airlines has some great shopping packages) and get kimonos in Minnesota. No wonder it is such a popular shopping destination with the Japanese.

I found my first cache of kimonos at Ragstock in the Mall of America, but then noticed they had other outlets. (830 North 7th street near downtown 612-3333-8520, 1433 West Lake Street in Uptown 612-823-6690,and 315 14th Avenue South East 612-331-6064) I bought seven in various colors of silks and now I have t decide if I will really give them as gifts or just keep them for myself. The stores also have military surplus and interesting vintage clothing. These are definitely stores for patient browsers.

DOWNTOWN

Minneapolis has a much better shopping area than most big city downtowns. Downtown Minneapolis has more retail outlets in a four block area than any other city in the country. There are more than 400 stores and 3 million square feet of retail space.  The Nicollet Mall, a 12-block thoroughfare with traffic limited to service vehicles and pedestrians is a great place to window shop. When the weather is bad, almost all the shopping areas are connected by walkways.

There are some great bargains downtown, too. Don't miss the Last Call outlet on top of Neiman Marcus, and the Off Fifth Outlet on top of Saks Fifth Avenue. Talk about convenient--this is the only place I know of where major retails have their outlets in the same building.

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT &ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FRONT

Unusual shops:

1. Bank's. Three floors of warehouse deals--give yourself at least 2 hours.

2. Sister Fun. funky gag gifts.

3. Wyman Building Art Galleries. Nine in one building. Check out the one connected to a hair salon. And on the way out, take a peek in Parmees haute couture boutique.

4. Jahn Arts International. Ethnic arts and interior design. Two floors of furniture, fine arts, jewelry and clothing.

5. Antique Riverwalk. Dozens of dealers in one location.

EAT:

When you need a shopping break, stop at Cafe Brenda, with vegetarian and seafood dishes in a high-ceilinged, intimate atmosphere.

Relax:

Moose & Sadie's Coffee House. Hardwood floors, exposed ducts and pipes, folksy music, games and great art on the walls.

GET REJUVENATED:

Aveda Institute (supervised students performing massages, facials, haircuts, makeovers, etc. Walk-ins welcome and very cheap! Stop in the Environmental Lifestyle Store while you're there.

DON'T MISS:

Museum of Questionable Medical Devices. Unbelieveable"curing" devices and a real fun owner who has been on David Letterman and other talk shows. Get the bumps on your head analyzed for $2.

OTHER UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES:

Warehouse District Gallery Crawl . Get dressed up, eat wine and cheese and check out the eclectic mix of art and people. Occurs on the first Monday evening of every month.

UPTOWN/SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS

This trendy area reminds me of Soho and has an eclectic combination of funky stores and great restaurants.

SHOP:

1. Room Service. Fun, unusual furniture and accessories. Great gifts and frames and pillows.

2.Bobby Bead. Nothing but beads to make necklaces, bracelets and more.

3.Sticks and Stones. This new store has home accessories , gifts and other treasurers.

4. Lava Lounge. This is the place for lava lamp lovers. Great window. You can also buy clothes, 70s-style home accessories and other alternative products.

5. Saint Sabrina's Parlor and Purgatory. You have to love a place that has a big platter of free chocolate covered cookies and condoms (both are free, only the cookies are covered in chocolate) You can buy funky, night on the town clothes and accessories. Check out the platform shoes in this place.

6. Condom Kingdom. Condoms in every color, shape, and size. Also funny T-shirts, cards and other gag gifts.

7. Walker Art Center gift shop. Some of the most unique jewelry, prints, dishes cards and more.

8. Loring Vintage. I only got to peek in the window here because they are closed on Mondays. But I will be back.

EAT:

Figlio's Restaurant (ranked one of the 10 best bistros in the country)

RELAX:

Uncommon Grounds Coffee House. Hang out in the sitting room of an old house

DON'T MISS: C

Alhoun Square. Shopping Center packed with unique, on-of-a-kind shops.

LAUGH: Dudley Rigg's Brave New Workshop. Comedy theater. Try a matinee performance or $# improv session Saturday at midnight.

OTHER UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES;

1. Cyber-X Internet Cafe. Coffee house/cafe where you can hang out on the Internet while you sip java

2. Bryant-Lake Bowl. Bowling alley complete with a full restaurant, live music, theater troop performances and special movie screenings.

3. Tom Schmidt's Urban Retreat. Paradise in the city--a complete day spa facility with massages, facials, customized hydrotherapy and other body treatments. A perfect place to soothe your weary feet after a full day of Minnesota shopping.

For information on  the Twin Cities, call the
Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association at 612-335-5827
or the St. Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-627-6101.

http://www.explore.minnesota.com

Back to TravelLady Magazine