Even at the biggest mall in America, it’s easy to shop local. From Kiwi Beach to Chapel of Love, many of the earliest tenants at Mall of America were small, Minnesota-based companies. Even as MOA has grown, indie brands remain key to its unique mix.
“The Mall approached me,” said Patric Richardson, owner of Mona Williams, a women’s fashion, gift, and designer vintage boutique, which moved from Northeast Minneapolis to Mall of America in 2016. “They clearly want local. They know it’s a point of differentiation.”
Tourists love local, too, Richardson said. “They love finding something they can’t find back home. They want a souvenir…that’s not necessarily a T-shirt.”
From fashion and beauty to toys and even cookies, here are just some of ways to shop and eat local at Mall of America:
Mona Williams
Locally curated with an international eye, this unique boutique features many European fashion lines, gifts, and is the only place at Mall of America to shop designer consignment from Chanel, Louis Vuitton + many others.
Here’s why we love the vintage pieces at Mona Williams.
Hammer Made
Limited run, premium men’s shirts at attainable prices are the focus for this Minneapolis-based brand. Plus Hammer Made carries a great assortment of men’s fashion accessories and “Minnesota Nice” shirts.
They know a thing or two about men’s style at Hammer Made. Here’s advice for pairing shirts and ties.
Creative Kidstuff
The hometown toy store is known for its thoughtful assortment of toys, games, books, art supplies and science tools for babies, toddlers and big kids. (And Creative Kidstuff‘s signature gift-wrapping is totally worth the extra buck!)
Juno Active
After more than 20 years as a catalog and online go-to for plus size active apparel, Juno Active, based in a suburb of St. Paul, recently opened its first physical store at Mall of America. Shop the brand’s swimwear, workout gear, and casual apparel in sizes 14 to 6X.
Indulge + Bloom
Yes, you can get fresh flowers at Mall of America, thanks to the Minneapolis-based florist and gift shop, Indulge + Bloom.
Sigma Beauty
This fast-growing beauty brand is known world-wide for its high quality, affordable makeup brushes. But what fans might not realize is that Sigma Beauty is headquartered just minutes from the Mall, in Mendota Heights. Mall of America is the only place you can shop the collection of makeup and beauty tools in person.
Here’s a lesson in lip gloss from the experts at Sigma Beauty.
Worker B
Following a couple of successful holiday pop-ups, Minneapolis-based Worker B has opened its only full store at the Mall, offering its homegrown honey and natural skincare.
Aveda
The worldwide beauty brand Aveda, started by visionary Horst Rechelbacher, is now owned by Estée Lauder Companies. However, it still calls Minnesota home with headquarters in the northern suburb of Blaine.
Check out their products that celebrities like Mariah Carey + Kate Moss love.
Intelligent Nutrients
Intelligent Nutrients, a certified organic health and beauty brand, was the late Horst Rechelbacher’s follow-up to Aveda. The company is based in Minneapolis.
JM Cremp’s
Started as a catalog company for adventurous boys, Mall of America was JM Cremp’s first experiment with a physical storefront, and the local company continues to showcase its adventure and fantasy toys, tools, costumes, and more.
Masu Sushi & Robata
On the heels of its success in Northeast Minneapolis, Masu Sushi & Robata brought its traditional Japanese cuisine to Mall of America. Diners can also feast on a substantial selection of noodles, from udon to ramen.
Crave
Minnesotans love Crave, an upscale casual restaurant and bar, for its expansive menu with great options, from sushi to pizzas.
Rustica Cookies + Creamery
Cookies have long been a crowd pleaser at Rustica Cookies + Creamery’s flagship location in Minneapolis, so the local bakery recently brought a dessert-only concept to the Mall.
Vom Fass
Locally owned and operated, Vom Fass sells olive oil, vinegars + spirits made with natural processes and ethical sourcing.
Rybicki Cheese
Minnesotans might argue with this one being local, but the family that runs Rybicki Cheese hails from just across the border in Wisconsin, and proudly sells Green Bay Packers souvenirs alongside the cheese. It’s one of the very few independently operated businesses that’s been at the Mall since opening day in 1992.