What, there are like 7 more shopping days to Christmas? Most of you probably think that Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota is where I go to get that shopping deed done. No and no again. I find the big malls in the Minneapolis area not the answer to my shopping needs. I don't like the parking ramps, the crowds, all the smells of the food, and the entertainment atmosphere. I don't go shopping to ride a roller coaster or to eat a cinnamon roll with 2,000 calories in it. I shop to find the right thing for me or the person I am buying for.
Those of us who live in Minneapolis like a smaller shopping area called Galleria in Edina. It has some very classy restaurants if you want to dine, wonderful book stores to get lost in, clothing stores where there are not 24 items in each size, and real customer service. Yes, you might be paying a bit more in price, but the quality and the beauty of what they are selling are well worth the price.
The city of Minneapolis was laid out in grids when it was developed. The street car line would take people from one grid to another. Wish we had those street cars back today. Each neighborhood every so many blocks would have a small shopping area. Remember, it was not until after WW II that the large grocery stores were built. That is why there were buildings for the grocer, the butcher, the baker, the drug store, the hardware store. Above these buildings we still have the apartments that the owner many times lived in. These local stores are now gone. Which is a pity. We do our shopping at Target, home is Minneapolis, where we can get our food, drugs, clothes and anything else we need. In Minneapolis these stores are not empty. They are now being used to house some of the best specialty shops in SW Minneapolis. That is where I do my shopping.
The 50th and France shopping area on the boarder of Edina and Minneapolis has a splendid assortment of shops. During the Christmas season these is a horse drawn sleigh to take you through the district. When you get hungry be sure to stop and grab a bite to eat at either Salut or the Edina Café. Either place will nourish you to get back in the shopping mood.
Just down the street is the 44th shopping area. Bebe Babble founded by Kedra Lewis has some of the most interesting baby and up to age 5 or 6 clothing and children needs. It is a place for a grandmother to get lost in. Go to Turtle Bread and get some good homemade soup and bread. There never is a reason not to shop in this area.
The Fulton area at 50th and Penn has some good shops. One sells just organic clothing. How much more green can you get?
A few more blocks down is 50th and Bryant which has Patina. This shop is where my husband shops every Christmas Eve. It has wonderful gifts and clothing. It's card assortment is one of the best in town.
Travel down France Ave to Excelsior and you are at Excelsior and Grand with more shops and McCoy's Pub. They really know how to make a meat loaf sandwich. There is one shop dedicated to pets and you can really spend to make yourself happy. Not sure how the dog feels wearing the sweater you buy there.
I have just touched the surface. You can go down Excelsior a mile and be in the Uptown area on the shores of Lake Calhoun. More places to eat and some good shops.
I tell you your Visa card will give out long before you run out of fun places to shop in Minneapolis. Don't think we are just the Mall of America. Minneapolis is that and so much more.
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