Welcome to the West End, a vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment hub in St. Louis Park! At this Artventure stop, we’re taking you to the movies! We think you’ll be super chipper to meet “Jerry,” our curmudgeonly filmmaker, who is paying homage to one of our favorite Coen brother’s films.
Fun fact: Joel and Ethan Coen were born and raised in St. Louis Park and attended St. Louis Park High School. Another of their movies, “A Serious Man” was inspired by a rabbi from their youth and is set in St. Louis Park.
Jerry is located in the perfect location – at the Twin Cities Film Festival offices and next door to the ShowPlace Icon Movie Theater.
Superb Shopping
The West End is home to two shopping malls – The Shops at West End and Park Place Plaza. You’ll find everything from big box stores such as Costco to the elegant home furnishings of Restoration Hardware Outlet and the latest in women’s fashions from Evereve, Anthropologie and BHLDN. At Lost in the Forrest, you’ll find an amazing selection of house plants, while at West End Artisan Market and Vintage Thrift, discover delightful artisan craft stands, homegrown brands, thrift store finds, cheesecake and more!
Art on Display
As you stroll through this vibrant neighborhood, be sure to check out all the public art. Full Circle (16th St W & Utica Ave S) is a beautiful aluminum, glass and wood spherical sculpture. Four wood benches surround the sculpture and feature engraved comments from residents celebrating the four seasons. Bee Way (1621 West End Blvd) is a whimsical sculpture consisting of two concrete columns embossed with honeycomb patterns and topped with aluminum sculptures that represent the flight of bees as they move with the wind. A butterfly bench provides a fanciful resting spot. And be sure to stop inside the ICON Theatre atrium to find the Aurora Organ, an interactive sculpture consisting of six columns of LED lights that change colors each time a person touches one of six glass sensors. Of course, you’ll definitely want to take in the latest movie while you’re there!
Delicious Dining
At the Shops at West End, you’ll find a delightful array of restaurants sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters! CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar serves vibrant American cuisines, the freshest sushi, cocktails, mocktails and sake. Hope Breakfast Bar is an all-day breakfast eatery with an extensive menu of sweet and savory items, a coffee bar and cocktails. The Local offers traditional Irish pub fare, cozy snugs and pints of Guinness. The Loop West End features fabulous dishes, wood-fired pizzas, big-screen TV’s and a delightful patio. Punch Bowl Social provides the best in “foodertainment,” with a made-from-scratch menu and a room full of fun options, including bowling, arcade games, Giant Scrabble, ping pong, foosball, karaoke and more! Raku Sushi & Lounge has traditional Japanese dishes with French, Italian and Asian influences. Rojo Mexican Grill serves up authentic dishes alongside an exceptional collection of tequila and mezcal. And Yard House’s menu has over 100 dishes made from scratch and more than 100 taps of the best American craft and import beers.
Across Park Plaza Blvd, you’ll find Dover Restaurant & Bar, a casual dining spot with sophisticated cuisine, located just inside the DoubleTree hotel. Next door, Taste of India offers made from scratch Indian cuisine, while Yangtze Chinese serves classic Hunan, Szechaun, Mandarin and Cantonese dishes, plus weekend dim sum options. A block away, you’ll find TGI Fridays, a popular chain with a festive vibe, a wide variety of American fare, and fun cocktails. (See special offer!)
When it comes to fast/casual fare, the West End does not disappoint. Choose from an array of options, including JC’s Subs and Song Tea and Poké, as well as Arby’s, Bruegger’s Bagels, Caribou Coffee, Five Guys, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Jimmy John’s, Leeann Chin, Panera Bread and Roti Modern Mediterranean.
During warmer months, for the ultimate view of the downtown Minneapolis skyline, head to REVEAL Rooftop Bar & Lounge, located on the 6th floor of the AC Hotel – no hotel stay required! Relax on one of their cozy couches while their master mixologists make you the perfect handcrafted cocktail. Plus enjoy a variety of tasty tapas, including charcuterie platters, flatbread pizzas and street tacos.
Perfectly Pampered
If you’re looking for the best in self care, the Shops at West End has it all. Get a relaxing massage or facial at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. Glamour Nails & Spa offers manicures, pedicures and more. For an authentic barbershop experience, Roosters Men’s Grooming Center is the place to go. For the latest hair styling services, you’ll definitely want to check out Love, A + B salon. And inside Sola Salon Studios, you’ll find a wide variety of beauty professionals and personal care services.
Sleep Tight
There’s so much to see and do (and eat!) at the West End, you might just want to stay the night. Several hotels are located within the West End, including the DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis-Park Place, the AC Hotel by Marriott Minneapolis West End and the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Slightly further away, but still within walking distance, are the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Minneapolis West and the TownePlace Suites by Marriott.
Movie Magic
The ShowPlace ICON is THE place to watch a movie. This 16-screen theater features stadium seating and the latest in cinematic digital sight and sound. Splurge on VIP seating and watch your movie in style as you put your feet up and sink back into a luxurious recliner. Guests 21+ can take advantage of special seating sections and enjoy cocktails, craft beers and fresh bites in the Lobby Lounge before or after your movie.
Curious about the Twin Cities Film Fest? Each month they offer special programming at the ShowPlace ICON, as well as streaming some of the best independent films. But the real magic takes place every October, when filmmakers and film aficionados alike descend upon the West End for the festival itself, a 10-day celebration of independent film. Over 100 short and feature-length movies, from documentaries to dramas, are screened at the ICON or streamed online. Passersby may even spot a celebrity or two! (See special offer!)
We hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to this truly vibrant neighborhood.
Be sure to check out the special offers from some of the area’s businesses.
And don’t forget to visit the other characters on the Adam Turman Artventure!