Initial Planning and Opening (1972-1974)
In 1972, Dayton-Hudson Corporation announced the development of Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The company had purchased 81.3 acres of land for the project in 1964. The mall was part of Dayton-Hudson’s strategy to expand retail space in the growing suburbs of the Twin Cities.
The site was initially planned to be called “Oakdale,” but the name changed twice—first to “Twelve Oaks” and finally to Ridgedale. It was the fourth “Dale” mall developed by Dayton-Hudson in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, following Southdale, Brookdale, and Rosedale.
The mall opened its doors to the public in 1974 with four anchor stores: Sears, JCPenney, Donaldson’s, and Dayton’s. At the time of opening, Ridgedale Center offered over 1 million square feet of retail space.
The mall’s location along the I-394/US 12 corridor positioned it as a convenient shopping destination for Minnetonka residents and nearby communities. Early tenants included various national and regional chains, solidifying the mall’s commercial presence in the area.
This development contributed to the broader real estate growth in the western suburbs, making Ridgedale a key retail hub and a destination for things to do in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Anchor Stores and Early Success (1974-1986)
Dayton’s played a key role in developing the mall, and its presence was crucial to the center’s early success.
Donaldson’s, another Minneapolis-based department store, provided competition. These stores attracted large crowds, giving Ridgedale a strong start in its early years.
Ridgedale Center maintained steady traffic throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. It became a go-to destination for shoppers in the western suburbs, especially with events and promotions that helped boost sales.
Its combination of department stores and smaller retailers made it a key player in the Twin Cities retail landscape.
Changes in Department Stores (1987-2006)
In 1987, Donaldson’s merged with Chicago-based Carson Pirie Scott. The Donaldson’s store at Ridgedale Center was converted to a Carson Pirie Scott location.
However, this store’s tenure was short-lived, as Carson Pirie Scott left Ridgedale Center by 1995. This left the space open for new possibilities, which led to further shifts in the mall’s anchor tenants.
Dayton’s took advantage of this situation in 1996 by opening a second store in the mall. The original Dayton’s location focused on women’s and children’s clothing, while the new store specialized in men’s clothing and home furnishings. This move was a strategic play to keep competitors like Nordstrom from entering Ridgedale.
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Macy’s entered the picture in 2001 when it merged with Chicago-based Marshall Field’s, which had taken over Dayton’s.
The Ridgedale Macy’s store became a central anchor at the mall, further solidifying the mall’s reputation as a strong retail hub. In 2006, Macy’s completed its acquisition of all Marshall Field’s locations, making Macy’s a key tenant at Ridgedale Center.
Renovations and Expansion (2007-2015)
In 2007, Ridgedale Center underwent a major renovation. The goal was to refresh the mall and keep it competitive.
The lighting, flooring, and common areas were upgraded, making the entire shopping experience brighter and more modern. New seating areas and restrooms were also added, which improved shoppers’ comfort.
Around the same time, plans for a Nordstrom store were put into motion. Initially, Nordstrom was scheduled to open by 2011, but the project was delayed due to General Growth Properties’ financial troubles. General Growth filed for bankruptcy, pushing back the timeline.
Despite these setbacks, Ridgedale continued to attract high-end retail. In 2013, Nordstrom confirmed that they would open a 140,000-square-foot store at Ridgedale by 2015.
Macy’s also took this opportunity to expand, consolidating its two locations into one larger space. This move allowed Macy’s to occupy 286,000 square feet of prime retail space within the mall.
The renovations, combined with the introduction of new retail and dining options, positioned Ridgedale to continue thriving in the years ahead.
The Nordstrom Opening and Sears Closure (2015-2018)
Nordstrom’s opening in October 2015 was a big moment for Ridgedale Center. The store’s arrival brought a new wave of luxury shopping to the mall, attracting more affluent customers.
The Nordstrom store was part of a broader push to rebrand Ridgedale as an upscale shopping destination, offering premium brands and a more refined shopping experience.
While Nordstrom was growing, another anchor store was facing difficulties. In October 2018, Sears announced its plans to close after filing for bankruptcy.
The Sears location at Ridgedale had been a long-standing anchor since the mall opened in 1974. Its closure marked the end of an era, as Sears had been one of the mall’s original tenants.
Recent Developments and New Anchors (2019-2022)
In 2022, Dick’s Sporting Goods opened a large store in the former Sears location. This was a strategic choice that added an active lifestyle retailer to the mall, attracting a different segment of shoppers who might not have been regular visitors before.
The presence of Dick’s added variety to the mall’s anchor lineup, which also included Nordstrom, Macy’s, and JCPenney.
During this period, Ridgedale continued to strengthen its reputation as an upscale shopping center. The mall owners, Brookfield Properties and CBRE Group, kept focusing on attracting luxury brands.
Retailers like Coach, Pandora, and Tumi presented here, cementing the mall’s appeal to a more affluent customer base. Ridgedale’s ability to adapt to current retail trends by offering both premium brands and everyday goods helped maintain steady foot traffic.
Ridgedale Center Today and Future Prospects (2023-Present)
As of 2024, Ridgedale Center remains a key shopping destination in Minnetonka and the western suburbs of the Twin Cities.
The mall now has over 120 stores across 1.1 million square feet of retail space, maintaining its strong presence in the area.
Macy’s, JCPenney, Nordstrom, and Dick’s Sporting Goods continue to serve as the mall’s anchor stores, each offering a wide range of products that appeal to different customer segments.
In 2023 and 2024, Ridgedale Center continued to evolve with a mix of commercial development and community-oriented projects.
One of the key developments in 2023 was the creation of Ridgedale Commons, a new urban park established by the city of Minnetonka. The town transformed a two-acre portion of the Ridgedale Mall parking lot into a green space designed for community use.
This project highlights the shift toward integrating public amenities into commercial environments, creating a more versatile destination for both shopping and leisure activities.
Another major update is the introduction of Kowalski’s Markets, a Woodbury-based grocer, to Ridgedale Center. In late 2023, Kowalski’s announced plans to open a new 27,000-square-foot grocery store at the former Sears Auto Center location.
This development aims to bring fresh, high-quality groceries to Minnetonka, expanding Ridgedale’s appeal beyond retail to daily essentials. The store will open in 2025 following a renovation of the former auto center site, which Kowalski’s purchased for $4.9 million.