While it's been a challenging year for malls and bricks-and-mortar stores due to the pandemic, more promising news was announced by a mall operator in Minnesota Monday.

Simon Property Group announced that new stores will be moving into Albertville Premium Outlets and Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan just in time for Christmas.

Footwear retailer Asics is now open at Albertville (it also has a store at the Eagan outlet mall), while a Columbia Factory Store has opened at Twin Cities Premium Outlets.

The new Columbia store – selling discounted clothing and accessories from past seasons – comes after the retailer reduced its presence in Minnesota in 2019 as it closed its prominent store on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown, Minneapolis.

As well as the two outlet malls, Simon Property Group also operates Southdale Center in Edina, and the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth.