Texa-Tonka Shopping Center — A Renovated Neighborhood Gathering Place

Texa-Tonka Shopping Center
8008 Minnetonka Blvd,55426,MN,US 1-612-217-6722

Shopping

First developed in 1951, Texa-Tonka Shopping Center has recently received a complete renovation and now serves as an innovative neighborhood gathering spot. Its mid-century modern façade is paired with an distinctive mix of tenants, public areas for events and community gatherings, outdoor seating, and outdoor dining.

Artist Jake Dwyer created the large mural covering the eastern side of the Center. The artwork honors St. Louis Park, its residents, the shopping center, and the businesses within it. Its visual language draws on artists’ styles from the ‘40s-‘60s. On the right, images sourced from the St. Louis Park Historical Society inform scenes of the original mall, Red Owl, Piggly Wiggly, Mike Zoss – a Coen brother pseudonym (the Coen brothers were born in SLP!), and classic cars. The left side portrays present-day people and everyday life in St. Louis Park. Bicycles and the enduring value of skilled labor are the focus of a smaller section on the south side.

Texa-Tonka continues to lease space, and more stores are expected over the next few months. Current establishments include:

• Ax-Man Surplus Store — A one-of-a-kind source for scientific, industrial, electronic, and mechanical surplus, along with arts & craft supplies, tape, failed consumer products, and other weird and wonderful finds.
• Brookies Fish Market — Fresh fish and seafood accompany meal-making products such as pasta, sauces, marinades, cooking oils, vinegars, olives, crackers, cooking stocks, specialty rices, grilling supplies, and much more.
• Covered — This women’s boutique features items individually selected by its owners, with options intended to suit a range of lifestyles and personalities. Guests can sip and shop while their crew watches TV in the bar and lounge.
• Erik’s Bike Shop — A full-service destination for bikes, skis, and snowboards, offering current equipment, apparel, and gear as well as skateboards and performance scooters. The shop repairs bikes, services skis and snowboards, and leases them.
• Judith McGrann & Friends — An SLP staple for over 35 years, this boutique offers distinctive clothing, jewelry, bags, scarves, socks, gifts, cards, and trinkets. Its collections shift seasonally and include styles for varied body types and all price ranges.
• Westside Wine & Spirits | Market — A thoughtfully selected range of wines, spirts, and beer is joined by perfectly aged cheeses, charcuterie, grab-and-go snacks, and gourmet grocery items. From Thursday – Saturday, the tasting bar offers opportunities to sample new beverages.

Dining

• Angel Food Bakery — Everything is prepared from scratch in small batches at this distinctive bakery, which serves sweets ranging from hot fresh donuts to exquisite wedding cakes.
• Best of India — This fine Indian restaurant presents traditional and innovative Indian dishes at different spice levels, plus freshly made Tandoori chicken, naan, and a daily lunch buffet.
• Brito’s Burrito — Freshly made tortillas hold burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and nachos built around the best Tex Mex flavors.
• Rosalia — This Neapolitan-style pizza place prepares wood-fired pizzas, Mediterranean fare, and Sicilian pastas, alongside Italian-style cocktails, wine, beer, and mocktails.

Also Noteworthy

Immediately next to the shopping center is Texa-Tonka Lanes, offering a full bar and grill together with 24 lanes of bowling. Across the street, Wok in the Park serves fresh Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and French-inspired food in a modern Asian fusion bistro. Bodega Taco Bar is another nearby option for takeout, with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and tortas.

Stores located down the street from Texa-Tonka include Dreamers Vault Games, The BeaHive Mercantile, Eye of the Beholder Thrift Boutique, and Elequent Jewelry.