Mall of America's Shop Local Market
It's clear that the "shop local" movement has hit the zeitgeist when the Mall of America gets on board. On Black Friday, the megamall debuts its first-ever Shop Local Market for the holiday season, spotlighting handmade goods from nearly two dozen Minnesota brands spanning clothing, accessories, beauty and sweets. Vendors include knitwear brand Wool & Whiskey; men's accessories lines Taki Watches and Mill City Fineries; vegan lipstick manufacturer the Elixery; kids' brands Choo Choo Bob, Cooper & Kids and Tumblewalla; quirky-cool Northeast gift store I Like You; and Worker B, a honeybee-derived line spanning skin care to honey. It's a win-win for everyone: The MOA gets cool points, the makers win a share of the mall's holiday business, and shoppers score quality local goods. (Open mall hours, Fri. through Dec. 27. Level 1 North, next to Santaland, Mall of America, Bloomington. 952-883-8800 or mallofamerica.com.)
Jahna Peloquin
