Now though, the chain is soon to open a franchise in the Mall of America, in Bloomington Minnesota, a suburb just southwest of Minneapolis. Besides the fact that it is an entirely enclosed, four story building with what feel like miles and miles of shops and restaurants, there is no water, no beach, and no sunshine in sight, unless you get a glimpse of the equally mammoth Water Park of America. I already am not a fan of malls, and this mall in particular. You cannot really shop there, unless it is to go into a single store, maybe two, and know what you want, buy it and get out. Mostly you see dazed and confused people wandering around with bags filled with things they probably didn't really want, but felt they needed to buy something. I guess in the heart of winter, with the Nickelodeon Universe theme park in the middle, and endless movie and restaurant choices, it could be a destination spot of sorts out of the cold and snow. Though, picture the outdoor scenes from the movie Fargo and know Minnesota really is that cold and snowy in the winter; putting a tropically themed bar and restaurant on the 4th floor of a mall isn't going to change that. Even my sister agrees this is a misfit. This is over franchising at its worst. There might be cheeseburgers, but this Margaritaville will be no paradise.
 |
| You might want to think you are here... |
 |
| but you are really here. |
At the risk of further promoting this, I am sharing the link so you can see the ridiculousness for yourself.If you cick the :visit website" link, you will see a beautiful tropical island scene-not Bloomington, MN. http://www.mallofamerica.com/shopping/directory/margaritaville
I'm sure it will last just as long as Fat Tuesday(that's going way back to the days it opened) or Cafe Odyssey or Planet Hollywood or....the list goes on and on. My husband and I were just there about a month and a half ago and were surprised to see that the Rainforest Cafe is coming back after having been out for years.
ReplyDeleteI remember Planet Hollywood but not the others. I didn't know Rain Forest was coming back-not that I knew when it left. More mediocre food and expensive.
DeleteI too would rather be on a beach than shopping. That said, I have always wanted to go to the mall of America. We have Gurnee Mills which is the big tourist mall and we have Six Flags so we get a lot of tourists. I don't shop at that mall but if I have to I run in and run out.
ReplyDeleteI'd make an exception and go with you-I've no doubt you'd make it an adventure.
DeleteI live in the south and I don't like going to Margaritaville even when we are at the beach.
ReplyDeleteAre there many in the south? I think of cruise port stops. A home blended cocktail has more appeal to me.
DeleteOk I have never heard of Margaritaville or Gurnee mills, six flags, rain forest or cafe odyssey I have heard of planet Hollywood but never been there. I hate shopping so malls hold little appeal although I do enjoy clothes and looking nice I buy most of my stuff online. I do enjoy wandering around quirky boutiques and antique shops though. When we were in Cancun we decided to walk from our hotel into downtown Cancun to sample the huge shopping mall ( not sure why) we got there walked through and out the other end and hopped straight in a taxi back to the hotel. It was huge, over numerous floors, baking hot and bright and I just thought get me out of here. We do have massive shopping arcades over here too I just don't go to them. I would sample a Margaritaville when over in the US though just for the experience
ReplyDeleteThere must be an allure or else they wouldn't be built, but I prefer to do so many other things with my time. Can you imagine our bloggy universe at a huge flea market or car boot sale, or visiting a vintage fair, with Vix selling front and center? that would be paradise.
Delete