Surprise offerings at Minnesota airport

January 9, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By John Ewoldt

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

MINNEAPOLIS

For many travelers, being told to arrive at the airport two hours before a flight is a ticket to boredom. What do you do after you’ve survived the jostle through security? Plenty, if you’re at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Passengers who make a beeline to their gates haven’t realized that MSP is now a legitimate shopping and dining destination, and that it offers travelers a host of services and diversions.

The Airport Mall has been open since 1998, when the Metropolitan Airports Commission made MSP one of the first airports in the country with a shopping mall linking its terminals. But only in the past few years has it developed a sense of place and become worth a good, leisurely look.

Local restaurants such as Ike’s, Axel’s Bonfire and French Meadow have replaced generic HMS Host venues. Retailers such as Creative Kidstuff and Red Balloon children’s bookstore and most recently Surdyk’s give travelers a reason to call the airport a destination instead of a checkpoint on the way to a gate.

“It’s one of the nicest airports around,” said Jerry Seymour of Brooklyn Park, Minn., a frequent traveler who had lunch at Axel’s Bonfire recently while waiting for a flight. “If you’re stuck here, there is plenty to do.”

Not that anyone wants to get “stuck” due to, say, an 18-inch snowfall or mechanical delays, but if you do, here’s a guide to making the most of your time coming and going.

The conventional wisdom that everything at the airport is more expensive might be true at restaurants but not at retail shops. Sale and clearance items were common recently.

Anyone shopping for cosmetics and fragrances is in for a nice surprise. “I save $5 buying my Lanc ¥me mascara at the airport instead of the department store,” said Delta flight attendant Jeanne Maumus.

While Est e Lauder and Clinique prices aren’t as competitive, one employee said, many of the brands are 10 percent to 15 percent less.

Post-holiday sales will bring some additional markdowns even at the airport, but most merchants don’t follow the typical retail markdown calendar.

The biggest sale of the year at the Airport Mall happens during MEA weekend in October, when retailers have a captive audience of family and business travelers.

If you’re buying something this week that you can’t squeeze in your luggage, ask about free shipping or having an item held until you return.

No Groupon or Restaurant.com dining coupons are redeemable at the airport, but you won’t need one with the “Eat, Shop, Relax” coupon booklet, which is free at airport information desks or can be printed at www.shopsatmsp.com.

The airport’s newest addition is also its hippest. At Surdyk’s Flights wine shop/deli/bar, the waitresses sport pale blue pencil skirts, neck scarves and pillbox hats. Customers can nosh on Neuske liver p ¢t while choosing a bottle of wine as a present for family, friends, or clients. The selection is small, but prices are equivalent to other stores.

After opening in July, revenues are double what was projected, said Jim Surdyk. “Businesspeople tell me they’re leaving earlier just to come to the airport and enjoy a glass of wine before a flight.”

Soon there will be other reasons to spend a few extra hours at the airport. A Regis Express salon and spa will open early this year. If a glass of wine doesn’t soothe your travel experience, maybe a massage will.