While the new Nordstrom store has, admittedly, dominated the coverage of Ridgedale’s recent makeover, it’s well worth checking out other changes taking place throughout the rest of the Minnetonka mall. Interestingly, Minnesota-owned businesses are at the center of the expansion, including three newly opened stores as well as two additional retailers opening soon. Here’s how the mall’s newest tenants stack up—and what else is in store.
Kisa Boutique
After closing its Uptown store this past summer and hosting a smattering of temporary shops around the metro area, the locally owned Kisa Boutique opened a permanent location at Ridgedale earlier this month. The store sells clothing lines from Eastern European and Turkish brands, including chic Instanbul brand Setre, as well as authentic Turkish towels, hand-woven kilim carpets, and handmade jewelry by Bouchard Design Co. Owner Emily Kisa tells me the merchandising is more tailored to the Ridgedale shopper, with an emphasis on tailored day-to-evening separates, sets, and dresses with a slightly “Mediterranean-chic” vibe. In other Kisa news, the retailer will reopen its temporary skyway location in the RBC Plaza next week through the holiday season. It hosts its grand opening party at Ridgedale on Thu., Oct. 8. from 5–8 p.m. with music, gift bags, discounts, and a trunk show from Bouchard Design Co.’s exclusive jewelry line for the store; 30% of proceeds of the jewelry line go to Syrian refugees living in Turkey. Nordstrom wing, Level 1, kisaboutique.com
Hammer Made
More than five years after opening his first Hammer Made store in Edina’s Galleria, designer and owner Jason Hammerberg opened the store’s fourth location this month in Ridgedale’s Nordstrom wing. Hammerberg has compared the quality of his boldly patterned, limited-edition dress shirts to luxury lines such as Thomas Pink and Canali, but because he personally sources his fabrics from Turkish and Italian mills and works directly with manufacturers, he can offer his version at roughly half the price—$100 to $150. The store also sells colorfully patterned neckties and socks, polo shirts, and other men’s accessories. Nordstrom wing, Level 1, 952-546-1341, hammermade.com
Uptown MN
Ridgedale is the second location for Uptown MN, a gift boutique that sells 100-percent Minnesota-made goods from clothing and jewelry to gifts, poster art and housewares. Goods include everything from the quirky to the quintessentially Minnesotan—from an exclusive series of prints, T-shirts and pint glasses features the art of celebrated screen printer Adam Turman celebrating Minnesota iconography and landmarks, to Sanborn Canoe painted paddles and Faribault Woolen Mill blankets. There’s also posters and T-shirts with Sharpie artist Mark Rivard’s iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry” illustration; fragrances by Illume; Urban Junket’s laptop bags, handmade neckties and bow ties by Mill City Fineries and Anda; natural hair products by Ahnesti Haircare; fleece throws and mittens stitched with a piece of the Metrodome by Steller Handcrafted Goods; and tees, totes, and mugs by Live & Love MN. Located between Macy’s and JC Penney, Level 2, uptownmn.com
Dry Goods
Though it’s apparently been around for a couple of years, this was my first experience stepping foot into a Dry Goods store. The concept is an offshoot of Iowa-based department store Von Maur selling women’s clothing, jewelry, and shoes geared toward the trendy 20-to-30-something with a slightly boho vibe. Stealing a page from hip indie retailers and the maker’s movement, the store is decorated with vintage typerwriters, artwork, and other knicknacks. Its fifth Minnesota location opened about a month ago at Ridgedale. Nordstrom wing, Level 1, 952-544-0592, drygoodsusa.com
The Disney Store
The Disney Store is ground-zero for all your Disney, Marvel and Star Wars gift-giving needs this holiday season. It hosts its grand opening celebrating on Sat., Oct. 10 at 10 a.m., followed by a meet-and-greet with Donald Duck and Daisy Duck from noon–4 p.m. Nordstrom wing, Level 1, 952-546-1896, stores.disneystore.com
Other recent openings include classic American shoe brand Johnston & Murphy, vegan beauty brand LUSH, TUMI, Michael Kors, Tommy Bahama, Athleta, and Banana Republic.
Coming soon: Evereve, the rapidly expanding Minnesota-based chain formerly known as Hot Mama that specializes in clothing for style-conscious moms, and the seventh location for homegrown toy store Creative Kidstuff, are opening soon, along with Häagen-Dazs and gadget-oriented gift store Brookstone. Brooks Brothers, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma as well as restaurants Redstone American Grill and Kona Grill are set to open in the Nordstrom wing in spring 2016. Tiger Sushi is set to open later this fall.
Recently expanded: Bath & Body Works has expanded to add its White Barn candle brand in a storefront next door, as have Victoria’s Secret, Express, and American Eagle Outfitters, while many other stores have been updated.
Artful addition: Since the renovations, the Minnetonka Center for Arts has expanded its presence at the mall, recently installing a gallery of sculptures by Minnesota artists near the Nordstrom wing on the lower level.
Ridgedale is located at 12401 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka, 952-541-4864, ridgedalecenter.com
