The Mall of America Location of Mona Williams
Photos by TJ Turner
Since it opened in fall of 2013, Northeast retailer Mona Williams has been a boon to the local designer resale scene, stocking statement-making contemporary and vintage pieces from names such as Chanel, Missoni, Halston, and Oscar de la Renta. With the opening of its second location—in a plum storefront on the first level of the Mall of America near Nordstrom—the store is shifting direction to showcase emerging European designers.
“I want to combine things that feel very European with the artsy-casual vibe of Minneapolis,” explains store owner Patric Richardson—“modern, wearable, and easy.”
The most notable addition is Copenhagen’s Baum und Pferdgarten, an emerging label known for bringing an avant-garde twist to classic wardrobe staples with clever details, unexpected color combinations, and interesting textures. Mona Williams is only the second retailer in the U.S. to sell the brand.
Luxury basics round out the remainder of the store’s selection, including French labels Each x Other and Majestic, knitwear line Autumn Cashmere, and unisex raincoat brand Norwegian Rain. Quirky additions include Dub & Drino’s psychedelically patterned tights and gloves as well as Wool and the Gang, which allows shoppers to choose between buying a readymade sweater or a bag of yarn and pattern to knit their own. And true to Mona Williams’s roots, there are also a couple racks of choice designer resale pieces.
The store has also introduced a selection of unusual, hard-to-find beauty products that Richardson has culled from around the world, including Portuguese toothpaste and volcanic-ash soap from Iceland, plus a selection of chocolates and the full product line from cult eco-friendly laundry detergent line the Laundress. (Richardson’s hobby is penning a blog dubbed “The Laundry Evangelist.”)
Thanks to its unique selection coupled with imaginative displays and a brightly lit space, Mona Williams stands out amidst the cacophony of the mall. “It’s a slice of international style with a Minnesota sensibility,” Richardson says.
Mona Williams, MOA, 132 W. Market, Bloomington, 952-854-1228, monawilliams.com
