Best Places For Black Friday Shopping Deals In Minn.
Black Friday is the day to get some major holiday shopping done while retailers try to outdo each other in big deals and secret sales. With crazy opening hours, excited crowds and the thrill of the hunt all mixed together, doing a little Black Friday shopping can be a big adventure while you burn off all of those Thanksgiving-meal calories. Check out this list of places in Minnesota where you can find some of the best deals around.
Woodbury Lakes
9020 Hudson Road
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651) 251-9500
www.woodburylakes.com
Woodbury Lakes kicks off the holiday shopping season with an Open House Event on Sunday, Nov. 17 starting at 4 p.m. and then moves to extended holiday hours through Christmas. This includes extended hours on Black Friday, which will vary by store. The mall includes chain favorites like Gap, American Eagle, Victoria's Secret and Express, as well as fun local boutiques like Charming Charlie, Francesca's Collection and Knox Jeweler's. Because Woodbury Lakes is an outdoor mall, it can be a bit quieter than other shopping venues, which is a big bonus when scoring limited-quantity deals. So layer on your warmest clothes and shop on.
Mall of America
8100 24th Ave. S.
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 883-8800
www.mallofamerica.com
The Mall of America is practically required as a stop on the "show the out-of-state relatives around Minnesota" tour, but it's also a great option for getting your shopping done in one stop. With the addition of the Light Rail station, it's also easy to get to without fighting the crowds looking for parking. The mall joined other retailers in 2011 by opening at midnight on Black Friday, so plan your trip before you even get to bed after Thanksgiving dinner. The Mall of America runs the gamut from high-end specialties to favorite chains to unique boutiques and knick-knacks - perfect for crossing everyone off your list!
Rosedale Center
10 Rosedale Center
(651) 633-0872
www.myrosedale.com
In 2011, Rosedale Center jumped on the midnight bandwagon for Black Friday store hours, allowing shoppers to get some late-night shopping in before calling Thanksgiving a day. Rosedale features great anchor stores like Herberger's and Macy's, staple chains like J.Crew, Banana Republic, Apple, Carter's and Air Traffic and unique local finds like Goldy's Locker, The Woods and Len. There are plenty of stores to cover all your holiday wish list needs. Fuel up after shopping at one of the great restaurants like Big Bowl, Granite City or Green Mill and consider your holiday shopping "Mission Accomplished."
Albertville Premium Outlets
6415 Labeaux Ave. N.E.
Albertville, MN 55301
(763) 497-1911
www.premiumoutlets.com
With over 100 outlet stores, Albertville is always a hot destination to shop. With the annual "Midnight Madness" kicking off the official start to the holiday shopping season, it's definitely worth the trek to this northwest suburban shopping destination. Shopping kicks off at 12 a.m. on Black Friday and continues through the weekend with extended hours. Albertville boasts designer stores like Coach, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, as well as kid-friendly options like Gymboree Outlet and OskKosh B'Gosh. Or, pick up a novelty item from Bose or Harry & David.
Cabela's
3900 Cabela Drive
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 451-4545
www.cabelas.com
Billing itself as the foremost outdoors retailer, Cabela's is well loved by the outdoor enthusiasts of Minnesota. Whether it's fishing and hunting gear or just the right chairs and tents to make the most of our beautiful state, there's plenty here to covet. The store polls its customers every year to build the best deals possible, so look for the release of the ad in mid-November. Typically opening early on Fridays and featuring "door-buster" items for the whole family through 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. in the morning, Cabela's offers plenty of gift ideas for those loving life on the boat, in the tent or hiking through fields.
Sassy professional by day, men's style expert by night, Bethany Rein is a twenty-something living in Minneapolis. She loves baseball, coffee and the well-dressed male. An avid runner, Bethany also plays recreational sports with more enthusiasm than skill. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
