Mall of America, 15 July, 2015.

 Later in the day Jim, Wayne and I went back by the University of Saint Thomas to pick up Barbra Hensley who is a judge at this competition and a competitor and took her with us to see Mall of America. I must admit I did not know what to expect after all the things I had heard about how massive the mall is but what I did see was a surprise to me. I think I was expecting to see a mall spread out over a vast area of land like we have in our traditional malls. What I found was one very large building four stories high with a wonderful amusement park in the middle of it. The mall has large parking garages  that lead into the mall without ever having to go 
outside. Just about every kind of store you might want to shop at is located here and any number of excellent eating places and many more places where you can buy snack type food. We strolled through many of the stores. Of particular interest to me was the amusement park and a vast Lego store.

The Mall of America is built on the site of the old baseball/football stadium and in some locations I think some of the original ground level concrete floors were retained and used and there are places where the floor is a little uneven and I had to watch my step. In 1982, The Twins and the Vikings moved from Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota to the new H.H.H Metrodome stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The old stadium was located on 78 acres of prime real estate close to the airport and easily accessible to major highways. The Bloomington Port Authority bought the land and after much study decided to build a mixed use retail and entertainment center. On June 14, 1989 ground was broken with a cold 35 mile per hour wind blowing and many people asking " why Minnesota". On August 11, 1992 the mall opened being 71 % leased with 330 brand new stores employing 10,000 employees. Officials have always maintained the purpose was to create a destination attraction not just a shopping mall. It appears they did that as it is reported the mall now generates nearly $2 billion each year in economic impact for the state and puts Minnesota on the map as a tourist destination. In fact, tourism accounts for 4 out of every 10 visitors to the mall. Each year there are 40 million visitors to the mall. This number of visitors is more than the combined population of North and South Dakota, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming and the entire nation of Canada. 

Plans are in place for major expansions by adding a 15 level J  W Marriott luxury hotel. In 2013 it was reported that over the next decade the immense Mall of America "is slated to grow bigger, then even bigger, then bigger."

One of many map and locator signs on each level. The four anchor stores are Sears, Macy's, L. L. Bean and Nordstrom. The center area in orange is the amusement area.

Here you can get a glimpse of the 4 levels

Barbra Hensley and Wayne Hinaman

Storm Trooper made out of Lego parts just inside the Lego store

The Lego store and its displays were 4 stores high. The wall on the right are bins of Lego pieces you can buy. In a later photograph you will see the head of the dragon whose tail you see here.

                   This wall has bins of Lego pieces you can buy.

Jim checking out something

The Lego store. In the upper center of this photograph you see life size creations made from Lego parts. Beautiful and amazing. In the bottom portion of this photograph is an area where you have a few free parts to can make different small Lego creations. There were Lego pieces all over the floor.

Closer view of Lego creations

Lego dragon's head. You can see his tail 3 or 4 photographs earlier that is almost 3 stories tall.

Large Lego Character

Close to full size helicopter made from Lego pieces

The amusement area is called Nickelodeon Universe and features many rides in Nickelodeon characters and the gift shops sell Nickelodeon toys..

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

The Red Chair. See description below.

The Red Chair description. 

Log Ride

Log Ride

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides. Beautiful Merry Go Round. 

Replica of Metropolitan Stadium Home Plate.

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Nickelodeon Universe rides 

Made in Minnesota store. I love this sign.

We finished off our visit to Mall of America with a wonderful meal then headed back to the University of Saint Thomas where Barbara is staying. Jim. Wayne and I then headed for our hotel to rest up for our drive to Grand Rapids Michigan to see the President Gerald R. Ford Museum. Wayne is staying in Minneapolis for some sight seeing. I have to admire these three individual for the excellent physical shape they are in after having completed the event of the last two days and still having enough energy to walk all around this mall. Many thanks to Wayne for being the driver using his rental car to takes us to the sporting events, eating locations and Mall of America.

My next posting will be from Grand Rapids, Michigan so until then remember what I always say God Loves You And So Do I.

Grandpa Bill