Minnesota paving the way for a new type of shopping center: cultural malls

As you probably know, Minnesota was home to the first indoor shopping mall and is now a retail hub in the United States. But as shopping malls and big box stores shutter, Minnesota is now paving the way for a new type of mall, cultural malls.

Last week a business owner inside of Asia Mall in Eden Prairie announced plans for Asia Village in Northtown Mall in Blaine. The Sears in St. Paul has plans to be an Asian community hub, there will soon be an Asian-themed food hall in Burnsville Center, and a strip mall in Brooklyn Center will become a space for African immigrant entrepreneurs.

Michael Bui is a developer of Asia Village. Bruce Nustad is the president of the Minnesota Retailers Association. Both joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to explain this new trend of cultural malls.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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