Ridgedale Center adds personal shopping services

Ridgedale Center now has its own personal shopping service that can help you pick out presents for everyone on your holiday list or refresh your wardrobe.

The items will be culled by Jodi Mayers, a stylist for Twin Cities Live and who ran her own shop that included styling and wardrobe services, Corset Styling & Fashion Boutique in Edina, until it closed in August.

The fee for the service range from $75 to $250 depending on the length of the appointment and service needs.

Personal shoppers used to be more common at malls until several years ago when budgets got tight, said Mayers. But the idea is making a comeback as malls look for ways to elevate the experience and bring something extra they can't get as easily online.

"As everybody is looking for new ways to connect with people in a meaningful way, malls are starting to explore these services again," she said.

Of course, Macy's and Nordstrom also have their own stylists to help shoppers. But they are limited to that store. Mayers will be able to pick out products across various stores at the mall for clients.

While the idea may be coming back in vogue, it's still apparently novel for a shopping center to offer personal shopping services.

Here's how the service works: customers fill out a complimentary survey or call in for a consultation to relay what they're looking for. Then Mayers and her team select clothing, accessories and home decor items from Ridgedale's stores based on your style and budget.

Customers make an appointment to come and see and try on the items at Mayers' "style lounge" located on the second floor in the mall's offices.