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Posts Tagged ‘Twin Cities store openings’

Another Twin Cities Hot Mama

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Hot Mama is hitting Woodbury. The fast growing Edina-based chain (yep, I think it’s officially time to call it a chain) will open its eighth Twin Cities store – fifth new location this year – at Woodbury Lakes. In six years, Hot Mama has grown to 19 stores in seven states – with three under construction and plans to open another 18 stores in the next two years. The magical formula: casual contemporary clothing and premium denim for moms in a manageable boutique setting.

Hot Mama now employs 250. Even as it becomes a national retailer, it hasn’t become sterile. The focus seems sharper than ever. From Wayzata to West End to Edina, I’ve been impressed recently by the appealing mix of basics and trend pieces at reasonable price points. But what makes it memorable is the attentive service – both getting me what I want, and watching my kid so I can actually try it on. I’ve never known Hot Mama to run out of animal crackers.

In a recent survey, Hot Mama found that half its customers were in their 30s and 40 percent were 40 or older. Founder Megan Tamte is her own best customer: “I need clothes that are quick and easy to wear, that can take me from a board meeting to my son’s baseball game, to a date night with my husband.”

So simple, really. Why didn’t we think of it?

MOA Opening: Armani Exchange

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

Armani Exchange will open Tuesday at Mall of America. It’s the first in a crop of upscale stores new to the market scheduled to open this spring at MOA. With the cache of a top designer’s name and contemporary apparel for men and women generally priced under $100, it’s a perfect fit for the mall. You’ll find Armani Exchange on the first level of the newly remodeled south side.

Naartjie Kids Coming to MOA

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Naartjie Kids will open its first Midwest store at Mall of America in April. I know that will make some online shoppers happy. Naartjie is known for its playful, kid-friendly fashions: Mix and match prints, vibrant colors, natural fabrics, and a soft, casual feel. Bonus for parents: Affordable pricing. The brand was started in the ’90s by a mother of three boys in Cape Town, South Africa who wanted an alternative to the basics that dominated the market at the time. Naartjie (pronounced nar chee) is an Afrikaans word for a “small, sweet citrus fruit” found in Africa. Naartjie Kids is now an international brand with stores in 30 countries, producing 11 collections a year that include clothes, accessories, and footwear for ages newborn through 10 years old.

Stay tuned: This is the first of at least a half dozen new store announcements coming from Mall of America this spring. I’m told the list consists of several stores new to the market – including luxury and European brands.

Eileen Fisher at Galleria

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Eileen Fisher opens its first stand-alone store in the Twin Cities today at the Galleria in Edina. And if you haven’t shopped the better women’s brand in a while, you might be surprised: Long associated with flowing styles and easy fits, the holiday collection includes fitted styles, luxe scarves and the must have of the season: sequins.

Title Nine, the store

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Titlenine Title Nine opened today in the Edina 5-0 building at 50th & France and women were quick to step inside. This is the 15th store (first in MN) for the retailer, which specializes in women's active wear, both casual and performance. You'll find sports bras and yoga pants alongside cotton dresses and cardigans. Practical, sporty clothes that look cute on the go: from the gym, to the park to the grocery store. Perfect for Twin Cities women. (For more casual, active and eco-friendly apparel, try locally-owned Sundog Trading Co. at Mall of America.)


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