SOUTHDALE CENTER: One of Edina’s Retail Hubs
By Jill MacPhail

Southdale Center, a 1.6 million-square-foot regional shopping center, was the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping center in the United States, and is today’s hub of retail activity in Edina.When Southdale opened in 1956, it forged new ground in a number of retail areas. Southdale was the first shopping center to put two competing department stores under one roof and the first to control the interior temperature. Southdale’s unique and creative design by Victor Gruen has served as a role model for shopping centers around the world.

Each year, more than 15 million shoppers visit Southdale’s 130 retailers, which include Wilson’s Leather, Abercrombie and Fitch, B.Dalton Bookseller, Games by James, Yankee Candle Company, Arden B., Guess, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Crate & Barrel, Apple Computer, Gap, Banana Republic and Motorwerks Mini (Mini Cooper sports cars). Marshall Field’s, J.C. Penney, Mervyn’s California and Marshall’s anchor the impressive upscale shopping center.

Southdale can claim the only Minnesota locations for The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, California Pizza Kitchen and Maggiano’s Little Italy, all 2002 additions to the mall. The restaurants were added as part of the new District on France. The District also includes an AMC movie complex, a 2002 addition that allows shoppers to be entertained at Southdale as well as dine and shop. The 16 state-of-the-art theaters feature stadium seating.

Urban Trendz (a specialty area for young, fashion-savvy generation Y shoppers) was also added to Southdale in 2002. The area’s stores include Gadzooks, Pac Sun, Zumiez and Rave. The area also has a food court with plenty of fast food options, such as Burger King and Subway.

Southdale Center is conveniently located on West 66th Street and France Avenue, south of Minnesota Highway 62, north of Interstate Highway 494 and between Interstate Highway 35 and Minnesota Highway 100. Regular mall hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For holiday and special hours, call 952-925-7885.

NEIGHBORHOOD Retail Areas Delight Consumers
By Brett Carlson & Jill MacPhail

Edina boasts some of the Midwest’s finest neighborhood retail areas. Shoppers can find nearly anything at one of these locations. These areas include the corner at Wooddale Avenue and Valley View Road, 70th & Cahill, 44th & France and the Shops of Londonderry.

WOODDALE & VALLEY VIEW ROAD
The Wooddale Avenue and Valley View Road corner is host to numerous small-town shops.

You can take care of many errands in the Valley View Center. Stores include Edina Hardware, Edina Superette, Artistic Floral, Anderson’s Cleaners and the Neighborhood Ice Cream Shoppe.

EJ’s Sunglasses boasts a selection of more than 70 different brands of the latest in eyewear fashion. EJ’s offers much of the same selection of larger retail outlets, but brings them to you at a lower price and with a higher level of service.

Encore Hair Design, which has been in business for more than 25 years, is committed to providing the best in cosmetology. Services include haircuts, styling, coloring, perms, waxing, manicures and pedicures. In addition, Encore Hair Design offers a variety of professional hair care products from Matrix, Nexxus and Biolage.

For men who aren’t interested in a full-service salon, Stu’s Barbershop is right across the corner. Stu’s makes it convenient to get the entire family’s hair done at once.

Snuffy’s Malt Shop serves traditional American cuisine with a small town touch, and burgers, fries and malts are the staples of the menu. Snuffy’s malts are made with real ice cream and actual chunks of banana and chocolate.

70th & CAHILL
Another unique shopping option in Edina is the 70th & Cahill retail area. Anchoring tenants include Edina Market & Deli, Cahill Movies, Flowers of Edina and Queen of Cakes.

The 70th & Cahill area also boasts a variety of restaurants. The Imperial House features delicious Chinese cuisine while the New Delhi offers authentic Indian Bistro, and is well known for its extensive daily lunch buffet. American Hero is a local bakery that makes fresh bread and cookies daily, and offers a wide variety of sandwiches.

Gentle Transitions offers customized designed jewelry and specializes in intricate bead designs.

Barbi Lee Dance Studio offers a combination of ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics classes. Students study all forms of dance in the same lesson, sharing the time equally.

44th & FRANCE
44th & France is a distinct corner of Edina near the historic Morningside Neighborhood. 44th and France offers a broad variety of retail options.

Needlework Unlimited is a unique store that specializes in knitting, needlepoint, classes, supplies and books. Prestige Cleaning Center is a one-stop shop for dry cleaning, laundry and shoe repair.

Sunnyside Gardens is a compact garden center that offers an extensive variety of plants. The center specializes in hearty annuals and perennials (for sun and shade), hanging baskets, pots, mulch and garden basics.

The Convention Grill & Fountain is Edina’s classic neighborhood grill. They serve All-American favorites such as handmade hamburgers, golden fries and ice cream malts. Other sandwich options include chicken, egg salad and meatloaf served with sliced raw onions. Large crowds attest to its food and entertainment quality.

Almsted’s Sunnyside Market has a full service deli, bakery and floral services. In addition, Almsted’s schedules carpet cleaning rentals, and postage stamps and copy services are also available.

SHOPS OF LONDONDERRY
The Shops of Londonderry offers a quaint shopping experience for those interested in avoiding larger malls. Tenants include D. Brian’s, Fantastic Sams, Pilgrim Cleaners and the UPS Store.

D. Brian’s is a deli and catering business with a menu that includes sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and pastas. D. Brian’s can cater office meetings, training sessions and graduation and retirement parties.

Fantastic Sams is a family hair care business that provides cuts, perms, treatments and coloring for the entire family. Fantastic Sams also carries a large variety of product, including shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

Pilgrim Cleaners offers same-day professional dry-cleaning and laundry Monday through Friday. Pilgrim Cleaners also provides a unique drive-through/in-car service that allows customers to save time.

50th AND FRANCE PRESENTS: Charm of Traditional Village Shopping
By Jill MacPhail

The shops at 50th and France offer the best in sophisticated fashions, gifts and items for the home. The area’s cobblestone walkways and upscale shops present the charm and elegance of a traditional village shopping square.

“50th and France” is where Minneapolis meets Edina at West 50th Street and France Avenue. It is considered Edina’s downtown area. Each year, thousands of shoppers who wish to avoid the mall crowds come to downtown Edina to shop the more than 150 retailers at 50th and France. For distinctive gifts, shoppers visit Belle Epoque, Alouette, The Accessory Collection, Cooks of Crocus Hill and Images Under Glass – all of which offer a unique array of antiques, gifts and accent pieces.

The area offers a wide variety of jewelry, including full-service fine jewelers R.F. Moeller, Diamonds Direct and VanGuilder’s. For more contemporary pieces and custom jewelry, Jewelry by Jeri Kaplan offers handmade designs. Do-it-yourselfers can make their own unique pieces with the huge assortment of beads offered at The Bead Monkey.

50th and France offers dozens of clothing shops for men, women and children. Belleson’s and Al Johnson Clothier carry a distinguished selection of men’s wear. Chico’s, The Dressmaker, Timbuktu Station, Grethen House and Anthropologie offer the latest in women’s fashion. Jack and Jill, Dana’s Kids and Goodnight Moon cater to the needs of stylish children. Fashion Avenue is touted as being one of the finest consignment shops in the metropolitan area.

The neighborhood is also home to the historic Edina Cinema and nearly two dozen salons and spas, including Spalon Montage, Marty’s Barber Stylist and The Hair District.

50th and France has more than 20 restaurants for quick lunches or leisurely dinners. Pearson’s Edina Restaurant, a neighborhood institution, serves American food in a family friendly setting. Tejas specializes in Southwestern fare, while Georgio’s offers Italian dining in the intimate setting of an old romantic house. Edina Grill offers unique foods, such as fried green beans and sweet potato fries. Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Café Nikita and D’Amico and Sons offer lighter fare and desserts.

“SHOPS OF DISTINCTION” Found at Galleria

Edina’s Galleria offers casual dining, unique local shops, spa services and upscale national specialty stores in a sophisticated, relaxed atmosphere.

More than 60 shops at the Galleria offer men, women and children a wide range of apparel, accessories and services. Women can find both casual and formal attire at shops such as Fitigues, J.Jill, Len Druskin and Timbuktu Station. Men can find the same at Cole Haan, Trail Mark and Blue Willi’s USA, Inc. Fashion-minded children will love Oh Baby!, Cribz and April Cornell.

Rocco Altobelli Salon and Spa offers services for men, women and children, including facials, haircuts and coloring, manicures and makeup. L’Occitane en Provence and Garden of Eden also offer beauty products.

The Galleria’s jewelry shops cater to both elegant and casual tastes. Whymsy is a retailer of unique, creative accessories for women, including distinct, one-of-a-kind pieces. Scheherazade and Bockstruck Jewelers offer more traditional jewels.

Gabberts Furniture and Design Studio, Galleria’s anchor tenant, has made its home in the Galleria for more than 50 years. Gabberts has earned acclaim for its vast selection of fine home furnishings, and was voted the number one home furnishings retailer in the country by House Beautiful magazine. Gabberts furnishings span the spectrum of design from traditional to casual to contemporary.

The Galleria has seven restaurants serving everything from coffee and bagels to full-course Italian meals. Sidney’s serves gourmet pastas, pizza, rotisserie chicken and salads in a casual, yet classy, environment. The Big Bowl serves Asian Cuisine in a vibrant setting, and features five kinds of fresh noodles, chicken potstickers, wok-seared fish and much more. Barnes and Noble, Starbucks and The Good Earth Restaurant and Bakery serve a variety of pastries, coffees and desserts.

Located on the corner of 69th Street and France Avenue, regular hours at Galleria are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For holiday hours and other special times of operation, call
952-925-4321.

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