World flair

A whole new world awaits beyond your usual retail haunts. At Twin Cities malls that cater mostly to the Somali, Hmong and Hispanic communities, shoppers can leave behind the "I Love Grandma" coffee mugs and Vikings jerseys at the usual stores and find unique gifts. These diverse shopping centers also cater to those on a tight budget this holiday season, a welcome respite in a tough economy.

Somali Village Market (aka 24 Mall)912 E. 24th St., Minneapolis

At the Somali Village Market, also called the 24 Mall, the smell of spices and incense greets you at the door. That's one mild cultural shock for shoppers used to the Dales, but once inside, some similarities quickly come into view.

Like any American shopping mall, women's clothing stores far outnumber everything else. Long, flowing black dresses and brightly patterned floor-length skirts line the narrow aisles. But walk into any women's clothing store, and the merchandise mix veers from the traditional. Blouses and bras are displayed next to pots and pans, perfume, incense burners and over-the-counter cold remedies. Many of the shops offer similar merchandise, but competitors such as Target and Wal-Mart or Patina and Bibelot gift shops could easily be subjected to the same complaint.

"Many customers are loyal to one shop, because they know the family that owns it," said Faysal Barr, a T-Mobile representative at the 24 Mall.

As shopkeepers try to keep loyal customers, they expand their offerings.

Prices are reasonable, but price tags are nowhere to be found. Regular customers know that a popular item such as the brightly colored scarves are $5 or $10, but you have to ask for almost everything else. Minnesotans whose haggling talents lie dormant in the land of still waters will have a chance to practice their skills.

"They're beautiful, and they're only $10," Bates said. "You'd pay at least $15 at Target."

Both find the atmosphere at the 24 Mall friendly and relaxed -- casual even. Each time I visited, some shops were full of merchandise but not open. Many store owners have other jobs that demand equal time. Nearly all shopkeepers speak some English.

Besides the scarves, shoppers will find a good selection of sweaters, perfumes, curtain panels, gold jewelry, shoes and rugs. When I asked for the price of an 8- by 11-foot polyester rug, I was told it was $250. I asked the saleswoman if she would take less, and she surprised me by saying the price included two smaller rugs.

The traditional food court is replaced with informal, deli-type restaurants throughout, offering several pastry-type entrees and sweets. Sambusa, a tuna- or beef-wrapped pastry, and mandazi, a sweet fried pastry, are popular for only $1 each.

The 24 Mall is the largest of several Somali malls in Minneapolis.

Not every mall has a buzz to it, but Hmong Village, which opened in October in St. Paul, already has it in spades. On a recent Saturday, young women wearing elaborate ceremonial skirts and aprons danced through the aisles as shoppers stopped to watch. It was an amazing paradox to see just as many Hmong shoppers dressed in Ecko jeans, Twins caps and leather vests.

What you won't find at the mall -- a former school that now houses more than 250 vendors -- are the intricate stitch tapestries that used to be common among Hmong sellers at farmers markets. They took too long to make for too little return, said Thomas Yang of St. Paul. Shoppers searching for the intricate artwork can find murals by artist Ger Yang depicting Hmong life in mountain scenes from Laos.

The Hmong mall seems the most Americanized. Besides a video arcade crowded with young boys, there are dollar stores, lots of jewelry and hair accessories, shoes and clothing. Shorter men can find pants with smaller inseams, and most shops offer alterations on the premises. Many health-service businesses have set up shop, including chiropractors, but many young Hmong women frequent the eyelash extension shops.

Kristi Jackson of St. Paul shopped recently at Hmong Village for a combo not found at Southdale -- jewelry and produce.

"The jewelry is unique," she said, "but the quality of the produce is phenomenal, and the prices are reasonable."

Just as American teenagers congregate at the mall with their friends, Lumina Xiong of North St. Paul does the same at Hmong Village.

"You meet up with friends, and when you're shopping, you're bound to meet someone who knows your family," she said. "It's a close-knit group."

A long wing in the mall is devoted to Hmong restaurants, as well as Vietnamese and Thai. For a traditional Hmong dish, try the papaya salad or, for a fun dessert, the tricolor -- a tapioca in layers of red, green and white -- is a good holiday choice.

Mercado Central1515 E. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-728-5401; www.mercadocentral.net

There's a certain amount of kitsch at Mercado Central. On one level, it's a dollar store crossed with Spencer Gifts. Where else but at Ocatime's Relojería y Perfumería can you find a clock with a background of Jesus on the cross next to a similar clock with a backdrop of unicorns dancing in the moonlight?

Shoppers looking for certain specialties can find treasures.

Victor Hugo Nivelo jewelry designers will custom-make pieces from a photo or a drawing, including wedding rings. Cooks who like to experiment will find many spice mixes and dried peppers at Los Arcos. Kids will find a wonderful candy store, Dulcería la Piñata, which sells individual candies for 25 to 50 cents and, of course, piñatas. For the spirited child, try the chili-flavored lollipops called "bomba acida." Soda swillers might enjoy a six-pack of Coke bottled with a slightly different formulation in Mexico, which many find has a more robust flavor.

The best deal at Mercado is the freshly made package of tortillas ($1.30 for 36 at La Tortillería La Perla). The tostadas and tamales also are favorites for sit-down dining there.

Upstairs, the mall has a couple of specialty stores not to be missed.

El Angel Boutique offers vintage accessories (T-shirts, shoes and jackets) from classic Spanish rock 'n' roll artists. The Deportes Azteca soccer store sells jerseys from the most popular teams worldwide, including the Los Angeles-based Chivas. And for the mischievous uncle who usually gets a niece or nephew a drum set, why not surprise the child's bemused parents with a vuvuzela, the loud South African horn popularized by the World Cup, still sold at Deportes Azteca.