Bloomington, Minnesota: Mall of America colors in some new attractions

We’ve learned over the years that no matter how many times you visit the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, you will see something new. The nation’s largest indoor shopping center is constantly switching out stores, restaurants and attractions. Stores such as Nordstrom and Sears have been at the Mall since it opened in 1992.

The neat thing about the Mall of America is that several of the stores are attractions themselves. Sure, there is an amusement park (Nickelodeon Universe), miniature golf course and other entertainment-related attractions. But, some stores are designed to be attractions or have grown into being one.

The newest attraction store is the Crayola Experience and Store. With its colorful stuffed toys, clothes and backpacks, what small child wouldn’t be in crayon nirvana? However, the store isn’t just targeting children. With the international craze of adult coloring books, the store is invaded daily by grown “kids” looking to add to their crayon collection. The craze has hit our family. Lisa received a couple of books and some crayons as a Christmas gift. So, you know we had to check out the store.

Crayola Experience offers visitors entertaining activities, including a chance to learn how crayons are created, star in their own coloring book and create and name their own crayon. The facility also hosts birthday parties and group meetings. The Bloomington location is one of three Crayola Experience spots in the United States.  Easton, Penn., and Orlando, Fla., are the other locations.

As we visited the Crayola Experience, we weren’t alone. I overheard a mom and grown daughter (in her 30s?) discuss which crayon box the younger woman should buy to fill with crayons galore. She settled on an older looking design (which would have been my preference, too). Then, she went to town loading up the color box. You pay for the crayon container, so you can put in as many crayons or markers as you can fit.

Lisa grabbed the same style of container and commenced to filling it up with almost every color offered in the Crayola rainbow. She took several of the same color, as well as markers. I told her if she behaved while we were at the store, she might get an ice cream treat. She didn’t get an ice cream treat.

I scoped out the store for possible souvenirs for myself. Tie-dyed T-shirt? I may like the Grateful Dead, but a Jerry Garcia-style T isn’t for me.

A stuffed toy? What am I, a 3-year-old toddler? Ignore the stuffed Canadian Mounted Police teddy bear or action figures that may or may not be on my desk at work. I skipped on the stuffed crayons. But, I do see how they can be a cool souvenir from a neat store. I also passed on the Crayola-inspired candies.

My “souvenir” thoughts ran to two of my favorite stores at MOA – the Vikings Locker Room and the College Shop. We went searching for the College Shop first. And we searched. And we searched. It was supposed to be right where I last saw it, on the first floor near Sears. It wasn’t there. Maybe it moved to a prime location? We checked out the directory. We didn’t see it. We looked at the directory again. And again. Then, Lisa looked up from her phone, and said the words I dreaded to hear, “They’re closed.”
What? While they relocate? No. They closed the shop. As in out of business. After the security officer asked Lisa why a grown man was bawling in the middle of the Mall, I dried my eyes, bade farewell to one of my all-time favorite stores and moved on…slowly, looking back over my shoulder, as if the store might reappear.

Lisa took me to the Vikings Locker Room. OMG! Everything Vikings is in this store. I love this store. I bought a new Vikings T-shirt to replace an aged one. Guess what? I bought the same T-shirt. Oh, those Vikings merchants know me so well. Lisa picked up a new shirt for herself for the season, too. I was as happy as a kid in a…well, a Vikings store. Happiness was restored and I was able to move with life after a certain college store. Look out Scheels in North Dakota! I’m coming your way in September for some new North Dakota U garb.

Another newer store for us was the L.L. Bean outfitter store. I think our daughter Steph would love this place. Lots of canoes and kayaks to check out. She is an active kayaker.

I’m especially impressed with stores that know how to market themselves. They have interesting sculptures or exhibits that attract people to the store. L.L. Bean has a giant boot just outside its entrance. It may not be close to the size of the world’s largest boot in Red Wing, Minnesota. But, it is a cool looking attraction.

My last new attraction involved food. Burger Burger is a new restaurant concept at the mall, from the owners of Crave. The locally-based eatery is more than just a burger joint. The owners use local products, as well as strive to be as “green” as possible for the environment.

I had a buffalo burger. I thought I was really hungry, so I allowed myself to be talked into ordering a double patty burger. Um, one patty is more than enough for anyone. I didn’t finish the burger, but it was delicious. The GMO-free hand cut fries were a tasty addition. I recommend checking out the restaurant on the third floor of the Mall.

Since we were staying at Radisson Blu hotel next door to the Mall of America, we made daily trips during a five-day stay. Each one seemed to bring out something new to check out. But, that’s MOA for you – it never stands still. The Mall’s leadership and merchants are always working on improvements to provide visitors a memorable visit. We had a great time at the Mall of America.

For more information on the Mall of America, please visit www.mallofamerica.com, www.exploreminnesota.com, www.minneapolis.org or www.bloomingtonmn.org.