Disappointing you leave parking violations on cars when people try to be responsible and uber home after a night out . Reconsider working with your restaurants to get some sort of parking notice that is visible in the vehicle that this patron chose safety and ubered . read more

On Dec. 8, 2023, I went to the West End Makers & Artisan Market that is sponsored by Muddy Paws Cheesecake owner, Tami Cabrera. She created this market to help artists and artisans, and to collect toy donations (as well as household goods and non-perishable food items for humans and pets) for STEP (the St. Louis Park Emergency Program). It's the annual event's first year in this space, and according to the website, the Market will be going on AT LEAST through December 27, 2023, Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00am-5pm. We parked in the ramp across the street and had no trouble finding this space. It was well lit and clearly identified. The space inside is also well lit, and there's plenty of room to move around in. There's a central counter where you bring the items you wish to purchase to pay for them. For the event that day, a donation to STEP earned you a ticket for a free slice of Muddy Paws Cheesecake. They had on offer about a dozen different flavors that evening, "New York" being one, and it's my absolute favorite, both in texture and flavor. My companion chose a slice of the Salted Caramel, which is equally delicious, but in a different way. For environmental reasons, I was so pleased to see the slices being served in paper board boxes, instead of the previous clear hard-plastic clam shells. There's a large section displaying the clothing pieces designed by St. Paulite, Laura Hlavac. Also available are jewelry made by various artisans, artisan pieces made from things such as snow skis, hockey sticks, hockey pucks, metal piping, golf balls, leather scraps and antique flour sacks, quirky greeting cards, handmade holiday ornaments, soaps, candles, lotions & potions, unique clothing pieces, and hats. In addition, you'll find a large selection of locally-designed puzzles. So many different things to see! And if you find yourself becoming a bit "hangry", buy yourself a slice of Muddy Paws Cheesecake and a bottle of water (or a cup of coffee if they're offering it) and set yourself down for a little while on one of the kids' chairs and relax, and enjoy your slice of delight. Or buy a slice (or an entire cheesecake) on your way out to enjoy later on at home! read more

10/4/22: Came here 3 days in a row during our trip, not to shop, but to workout. It's a new, outdoor fancy schmancy shopping center with eateries, shopping & a place to get my sweat on. The shops are rather useless, in my opinion. Fancy, expensive shops with nothing really practical. There's some restaurants, including The Yard House, Hope Breakfast Bar, a boba place and some other stuff. For workouts, there's Solidcore (the reason I came here). They have a designated smoking area...puke! It's 2022. Really? If I wasn't coming here to workout, this isn't a type of shopping center I would frequent. But overall, it met my needs for the week. Next time I'm in town, I'll come by, but only to workout. I do appreciate the free & plentiful parking garage though. read more

See all

If this place were a movie of the week. I would have to name it, "Not another outdoor streets of.....mall." Holy Streets of Woodfield feel as well as the other outdoor malls springing up around the Twin Cities ( Maple Grove, Blaine, Woodbury). I'm going to have to look and see if the architects were the same. Feel, signage etc. While I appreciate that the urban developer is trying to go for the "hip, young, professional, upscale, vibe" - it all just starts to look the same. It's probably just me, but holy photo copy of another copy. Wow.. Maybe I'm just too old to visit the "cool" new mall. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was FREE parking. I would have been a tad bitter to have had to pay to park my car. The multitude of parking ramps is a nice touch. Looks to have a nice big Showplace theater. Anthropologie- First and last time there. I'm far too much of a cheap ass to pay $68.00 for a tank top and $118.00 for some Old Navy looking linen pants. Most of the clothes in there are just wildly overpriced. Cute, but seriously? A lot of touchy feely books about drawing your feelings, your mood etc.. Maybe the Annette Funicello Beach Blanket Bingo inspired music playing in the background sets the mood for the book. The place smelled good. Love Couture Lula Lemon Athletic Creative Kid Stuff Republic of Couture Charming Charlie Hot Mama Uber Baby Restaurants: Rojo Crave Sopranos A few others, but didn't pay too much attention. Different smooth jazz music streaming through the speakers, same voice saying, "Attention____(Insert Name of Outdoor Mall) shoppers, did you know about the fabulous shops at (Insert Name) To me this place looks and feels like all the other outdoor shopping areas springing up all over the place. I do hope the mall succeeds, but have to wonder how many stores will move in and out, how many restaurants will come and go and hope that it doesn't wind up another forgotten mall. Best of luck to all the merchants.. read more

We live very close to the West End, and we hardly ever go there. This shopping district has a very sterile, generic, suburban feel. I think they're going for a hip young vibe, but it doesn't work. The stores are geared to upscale millennial women with money to burn who aren't old enough to shop in the Galleria -- Lululemon, Anthropologie, those sorts of places. The restaurants all have the same feel -- upscale loud chains with less-than-fabulous food and service. Lots of very overpriced drinks (I'm looking at you, Rojo). I do like Raku Sushi Lounge, but most of these places are unimaginative and unpleasant. The movie theater is nice, although definitely overpriced, and if you're going to go to a fancy-schmancy movie theater, you may as well go to one of the newer ones with comfortable leather seats. There's no reason to go to the West End when there's Uptown and Downtown and Northeast Minneapolis, none of which are very far away. Sure, there's better parking in the West End. But these areas have character and unique restaurants and shops, and they're not sterile and lifeless like the West End. If you're in St. Louis Park and you're looking for something authentic to eat, drive a few blocks to Taste of India or Yangtze, or if you want something that's actually upscale and not a generic chain, go to Mill Valley Kitchen. read more

I work in the West End so I am here all the time and I have to admit I really love it. I love the variety of restaurants and there really is something for everyone. If you want upscale head to crave. If you are in the mood for a margarita and some fancy tacos head to Rojo. Want to have a night on the Town hit up Toby Keith's... I am not a huge country fan but I even love this bar. Don't expect to come here and get a $5.00 meal here.... prices are a bit higher but worth it for the quality of food. Most restaurants run about $10.00 a plate. As for shopping I love Anthropologie, Lulu Lemon and Charming Charlie but I think they need a few more stores. There is a lot of space open and I hope as the summer gets closer more shops open up. The West End is a great place to go to a movie, grab a drink and see some of the newest fashion trends. One last thing.... In the summer they have fabulous outdoor seating at almost all the restaurants. read more

For a mall, this is a pleasant place. Free parking, movieplex, lots of restaurants (even non-chain restaurants in the 'burbs... gasp!)... Anthropologie and Lululemon are the very important icing on the cake. Right now it's about 50/50 restaurants and shopping I think, which helps make it feel more like an entertainment district than a mall. I know they are still leasing space, so not everything is full, but so far I'm pretty sure the shopping part of this mall is just for women. I can't think of one store that's not for females except that men's hair salon, Raze. I mostly come here for movies, and if I come early enough I'll stop at Anthropologie, Lululemon and maybe grab a drink somewhere. There's a lot of options like Cooper, Rojo, Crave, Soprano's and Toby Keith's I Love This Bar. The last time I was there I also saw a lot of coming soon signs for restaurants, including a creperie, a wine bar, Huey's 24/7 Diner and Little Szechuan! read more

The Shops at West End is a great locale to have in the Minneapolis area! It offers an urban and trendy yet comfortable feeling in a suburban location. The restaurants and shops are fun and offer quality. My wife and I enjoy getting VIP seats at the movie theatre to enjoy some cocktails while watching. The outdoor mall format works in the summer and winter... The underground parking is actually pretty fancy, and heated... and free! read more

I am a sucker for Anthropologie, like most women on the planet, so I am happier that there is now one closer to my house where I can actually find a parking space. Overall though, this whole place is a little weird. I am creeped out by the large scale printouts of anonymous store fronts adorning all of the shops that haven't been leased. It's like I've entered some virtual world where there are graphics but you can't go inside. Creepy. While I don't like outdoor malls in Minnesota as a concept, I feel like Shops at West End improves slightly on the concept, with covered and underground parking, so i don't have to freeze my ass off if I want to see a movie in January. read more

Ok, we stopped here after visiting Yangtze restaurant for Sunday dim sum. Well, this must have been shopping heaven to my girlfriend. However, nothing really appealed to me. So guys, just know ahead of time what you signed up when you agree to come here. Everything is girl driven from Anthropology, Lululemon, etc. I just ended up chatting with my parents and sister for an hour until my girlfriend felt sorry for me. I was on a park bench resting in the shade:) Zzzz.... At least, she got some real bargains at the stores and one store was closing. read more

There's a movie theater, plenty of places to eat, clothing stores, even a toy store. The stores and restaurants are all higher end and provide quality products and generally good customer service. I appreciate the free covered garage parking and the quick 15-minute parking spots out in front of the stores. Conveniently located off 394 and Hwy 100. When friends come from out of town, I bring them here. I hope they add more stores and restaurants as the economy picks up. read more

Great for Icon Movies but the rest of the retail stores stink. Corporate cookie cutter chain restaurants. Nothing to drive any distance for