Minneapolis Shopping | 2026 Guide
8 Best Places to Shop
in Minneapolis: 2026 Guide
From the North Loop's luxury boutiques to Mall of America's 500-store footprint — Minneapolis is a genuine retail destination, anchored by Minnesota's $0 sales tax on clothing and shoes.
2026 Minneapolis Retail Snapshot
- Tax advantage: Minnesota charges zero sales tax on clothing and shoes — a meaningful cost advantage over most U.S. cities
- North Loop anchor: Martin Patrick 3 (22,000 sq ft men's luxury) and a dense corridor of designer boutiques on Washington Ave N
- Scale anchor: Mall of America in Bloomington — 500+ stores, 15 minutes south via I-35W, world's largest tax-free fashion destination
- Local makers: Northeast Minneapolis and South Minneapolis host the highest concentration of independent boutiques and makers markets
- Outlet access: Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan — Coach, Nike, Michael Kors, 20 minutes south
Minneapolis Shopping at a Glance: 2026
Minneapolis is more than a city of lakes. From the North Loop's curated designer boutiques to the sprawling tax-free campus at Mall of America, shopping in Minneapolis offers an unmatched blend of local makers culture and luxury retail — all within a metro where clothing and shoes are permanently exempt from sales tax.
| Shop | Location | Specialty | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mall of America | Bloomington (15 min south) | 500+ stores including Nordstrom, Macy's, Apple; tax-free fashion | All price points |
| Grethen House | Linden Hills / 50th and Penn | Women's designer boutique — Frank and Eileen, Isabel Marant | Luxury |
| Martin Patrick 3 | North Loop | Men's luxury — custom suiting, designer denim, home furnishings (22,000 sq ft) | Luxury |
| I Like You | Northeast Minneapolis | Handmade goods, locally designed apparel, independent Twin Cities artists | Budget to mid-range |
| Hazel and Rose | Uptown area | Sustainable slow fashion, ethical clothing and accessories | Mid to luxury |
| 14 Hill | South Minneapolis (Whittier) | Handmade jewelry, stationery, home decor by local makers | Mid-range |
| Larue's | South Minneapolis | Vintage-inspired fashion, bold statement pieces, creative professional style | Mid-range |
| Twin Cities Premium Outlets | Eagan (20 min south) | 80+ outlet stores — Coach, Nike, Michael Kors; tax-free advantage maximized | Discount luxury |
The 8 Destinations: Full Profiles
1. Mall of America: The Global Retail Hub
The Mall of America in Bloomington is the largest mall in the United States — 500-plus stores including Nordstrom, Macy's, and Apple, anchored by Nickelodeon Universe, the nation's largest indoor theme park. Located 15 minutes south of Minneapolis via I-35W, it draws international visitors specifically for Minnesota's zero sales tax on clothing and shoes. For luxury relocators moving to the Twin Cities metro, the MOA is typically the first major retail orientation. The light rail Blue Line connects downtown Minneapolis directly to the mall's Transit Station without a transfer.
2. Grethen House: The Designer Benchmark
Located near the Linden Hills corridor at 50th and Penn Avenue S, Grethen House has set the standard for women's designer retail in Minneapolis for decades. This family-owned boutique curates a thoughtful edit of modern, sophisticated labels — Frank and Eileen, Isabel Marant, and similar European and American designers favored by the city's most discerning residents. The scale is deliberately intimate; the inventory is highly curated. A consistent destination for professionals and executives in the Linden Hills and Fulton neighborhoods.
3. Martin Patrick 3: The North Loop Standard
For men's luxury retail, Martin Patrick 3 has no peer in the Twin Cities. Located in the North Loop at 212 3rd Avenue N, this 22,000-square-foot space blends custom-tailored suiting and designer denim with high-end home furnishings and apothecary goods. The scale and curation reflect the North Loop's position as the city's highest-velocity appreciation corridor — retailers here serve the same demographic that sustains premium condo values on Washington Avenue N.
4. I Like You: The Makers Sanctuary
Located on Central Avenue NE in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis, I Like You is the most concentrated expression of the local makers culture. Often described as a real-life Etsy marketplace, the boutique is packed with handmade goods, locally designed apparel, and one-of-a-kind items crafted by independent Twin Cities artists. It sits within the same corridor as the Art-A-Whirl brewery and gallery district that defines Northeast's creative identity.
5. Hazel and Rose: Ethical and Sustainable Fashion
A leader in the slow fashion movement in the Twin Cities, Hazel and Rose focuses on clothing and accessories made with minimal environmental impact. For the 2026 conscious shopper, it is the definitive destination for responsible, timeless wardrobe staples. Located in the Uptown area, it serves the same buyer demographic that has driven sustained appreciation in the Chain of Lakes residential corridor.
6. 14 Hill: The South Minneapolis Gift Hub
14 Hill in the Whittier neighborhood of South Minneapolis is a locally beloved destination for handmade jewelry, stationery, and home decor. It embodies the spirit of independent South Minneapolis retail — whimsical but thoughtful, locally rooted but broadly appealing. A strong destination for gifts and home accessories that carry genuine local provenance rather than national chain character.
7. Larue's: Eclectic and Artistic Fashion
Larue's is a hidden gem for buyers who want bold, vintage-inspired fashion that communicates creative professional identity. Specializing in statement pieces and unconventional styling, it provides the artistic edge that distinguishes Minneapolis's creative and professional community from more conservative fashion markets. Located in South Minneapolis, within reach of the Kingfield and Uptown neighborhoods.
8. Twin Cities Premium Outlets: Designer Value
Located in Eagan, 20 minutes south of Minneapolis via I-35E, the Twin Cities Premium Outlets feature over 80 stores including Coach, Nike, Michael Kors, J.Crew, and Kate Spade. The outlet format combined with Minnesota's zero clothing tax creates a genuine cost advantage for high-volume fashion purchases. A strategic destination for luxury relocators who want to stock a new wardrobe at a meaningful discount relative to comparable purchases in New York, California, or Chicago.
Live Where You Shop
North Loop Lofts to Linden Hills Bungalows
The North Loop walkability score to Martin Patrick 3 and the neighborhood dining corridor is a direct driver of condo values on Washington Avenue N. BJ LaVelle provides neighborhood-specific walkability analysis for relocating buyers across all seven Minneapolis submarkets.
Consult with the Roost TeamMinneapolis Shopping: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to shop in Minneapolis?
The best place to shop in Minneapolis depends on what you are looking for. For luxury menswear and home goods, Martin Patrick 3 in the North Loop is the benchmark. For women's designer fashion, Grethen House near Linden Hills. For handmade goods and local makers, I Like You in Northeast Minneapolis. For the broadest selection of tax-free fashion, Mall of America in Bloomington is the largest tax-free fashion destination in the world. For designer outlet value, Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan combines major labels with Minnesota's zero clothing tax.
Does Minnesota have tax-free shopping on clothing?
Yes. Minnesota charges zero state sales tax on most clothing and footwear — one of only a handful of states in the U.S. with this policy. This applies to purchases made anywhere in the state, including Mall of America, North Loop boutiques, Twin Cities Premium Outlets, and all local retailers. The exemption covers general clothing and shoes but does not extend to jewelry, accessories, or sporting goods equipment. For luxury relocators moving to the Twin Cities, the ongoing tax savings on a full wardrobe represent a meaningful cost advantage over markets like Chicago, New York, or California.
What luxury stores are in the North Loop Minneapolis?
The North Loop's retail anchor is Martin Patrick 3 at 212 3rd Avenue N — a 22,000-square-foot men's luxury destination covering custom suiting, designer denim, high-end home furnishings, and apothecary. The broader Washington Avenue N corridor includes a concentration of boutiques and specialty retailers that serve the professional and executive demographic that drives North Loop condo appreciation. The neighborhood's tax-free clothing environment is frequently cited by relocating professionals as a lifestyle driver alongside the dining corridor and Target Field proximity.
Is Mall of America worth visiting for shopping?
Yes, particularly for buyers relocating to the Twin Cities who want to efficiently cover a broad range of retail needs in one trip. With over 500 stores including Nordstrom, Macy's, Apple, and dozens of specialty retailers, combined with zero clothing sales tax, MOA offers a price advantage that is difficult to replicate in most U.S. markets. It is located 15 minutes south of Minneapolis in Bloomington, accessible by the light rail Blue Line direct from downtown Minneapolis. For regular shopping, most Minneapolis residents use neighborhood boutiques and the North Loop corridor, treating MOA as an occasional destination rather than a routine stop.
What boutiques are in Linden Hills Minneapolis?
The Linden Hills commercial core on Upton Avenue S and the nearby 50th and Penn corridor includes Grethen House (women's designer boutique — Frank and Eileen, Isabel Marant), Sebastian Joe's ice cream, Tilia restaurant, and several independent home goods and lifestyle retailers. The neighborhood is designed for walkability — most Linden Hills residents can access the commercial strip on foot from their front door. For a full profile of the Linden Hills lifestyle and housing market, see the 2026 neighborhood guide.
Where can I find sustainable fashion in Minneapolis?
Hazel and Rose in the Uptown area is the primary destination for slow and sustainable fashion in Minneapolis — focusing on clothing and accessories made with minimal environmental impact. The broader Minneapolis retail ecosystem supports sustainable fashion across multiple price points: I Like You in Northeast Minneapolis for locally made goods, several Midtown Global Market vendors for fair-trade and ethically sourced items, and an active consignment and vintage market concentrated in South Minneapolis along Nicollet Avenue (Eat Street) and Lake Street.
BJ LaVelle | Roost Minneapolis
Find the Neighborhood That Supports Your Lifestyle
From North Loop lofts within walking distance of Martin Patrick 3 to Linden Hills bungalows near Grethen House — BJ LaVelle matches buyers to neighborhoods by lifestyle profile, not just price point.
Consult with the Roost Team
