Ariat Is Opening Its Largest Store Ever at Mall of America in Minnesota
Western Wear Brand Ariat Picks Mall of America for Its Record-Setting Store
Ariat International is opening a 10,500 square foot store at Mall of America in Bloomington, making it the largest retail location the brand has ever operated anywhere in the country. The store will sit on the south side of MOA's first floor and marks Ariat's first standalone location in Minnesota.
For context, the new store is larger than the brand's existing Las Vegas flagship, and MOA is where Ariat chose to set that new benchmark.
Ariat currently operates roughly 40 stores nationally. Minnesota shoppers have been purchasing the brand through retailers like Boot Barn, Buckle, and Fleet Farm, but this is a different kind of move. A flagship of this scale is a full commitment.
What Makes Ariat Stand Out
Ariat launched in 1993 with a specific idea: apply the engineering principles behind modern athletic footwear to the traditional cowboy and equestrian boot. The result was a boot built for people who actually ride, work, and move, not just one that looks the part.
The brand's name pays tribute to the famous racehorse Secretariat, a direct nod to the equestrian world that shaped its original product line.
That approach built a loyal following in western and equestrian communities and has since expanded well beyond those roots. Ariat now makes boots, button-down shirts, belts, and a full range of western apparel.
Ariat Is in Serious Growth Mode
This Minnesota debut comes at a moment when Ariat is investing heavily in its future. The company recently committed $72.6 million to expanding its regional headquarters and distribution hub in Texas.
Choosing Mall of America for a record-sized flagship fits that pattern. This is a brand scaling up with intention.
Mall of America noted that Ariat's arrival reinforces the mall's position as a destination for distinctive, experience-focused retail concepts.
Western Style Is Finding Real Traction in the Twin Cities
Ariat is not arriving to an empty market. Tecovas, another western wear brand, recently opened at Southdale Center in Edina. The two openings together suggest that Minnesota shoppers have a genuine appetite for this category, and that retailers are paying attention.
For anyone watching the Twin Cities retail landscape, landing a brand's largest store nationally is a signal worth noting. Flagship retail draws foot traffic, and foot traffic shapes the case for investing in, living near, or buying property around major retail corridors.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities? Let's talk. Text Darin Bjerknes at 612-702-5126 or DM on Instagram @darintheminnesotan.
