If you’ve driven down I-35 between the Twin Cities and Iowa, you know the vibe. It’s a lot of corn, some billboards for cheese curds, and then, suddenly, there it is. The Medford outlet mall Medford MN. For years, people have whispered about the "death of the mall," and honestly, in many cases, they’re right. But Medford stays on the map. It's weird. It defies the trend where massive suburban shopping centers are being turned into pickleball courts or data centers.
It’s not trying to be the Mall of America. Thank god for that.
The Medford Outlet Center, as it is officially known, occupies a strange, nostalgic space in the Minnesota retail landscape. It opened back in the early '90s when the "outlet" craze was hitting its peak. Back then, the idea was revolutionary: drive an hour out of the city to get brand-name stuff for half price. Now, we have the internet. We have Amazon. We have "outlets" that are actually just stores selling lower-quality clothes made specifically for the outlet. Yet, people still pull off the highway at Exit 48.
The Survival Strategy of Rural Retail
Location is basically everything here. If this mall were in Bloomington, it would have been demolished ten years ago. Because it’s in Medford—a town with a population that barely cleared 1,300 at the last census—it serves a different purpose. It’s a waypoint. It’s the halfway mark for families traveling from Des Moines to Minneapolis. It’s where you stop because the kids are screaming and you realize you forgot to pack extra socks.
The tenant mix has shifted over the years, which is the only reason it’s still standing. You used to see high-end fashion aspirations, but now it’s about the staples. Think Old Navy Outlet, Gap Factory, and Nike. These are the workhorses of the outlet world. They bring in the "back-to-school" crowd from Owatonna, Faribault, and Waseca.
I talked to a local shopper once who told me she doesn't even consider it a "mall" anymore. To her, it’s just the place where you get affordable sneakers without having to deal with the parking nightmare of the metro area. That’s a huge distinction. The Medford outlet mall Medford MN succeeds because it isn't trying to be a "destination" in the way a luxury resort is; it’s a utility. It’s convenient. It’s easy.
What’s Actually Inside Right Now?
Let’s get real about the inventory. People often ask if it’s "worth the drive." That depends entirely on what you’re looking for. If you want Gucci, keep driving. If you want a pair of Levi's that won't cost you $90, you’re in the right place.
The Nike Factory Store is arguably the anchor of the entire operation. It’s usually packed. On holiday weekends, the line can snake around the back of the store. Why? Because Nike still treats its factory stores as a legitimate clearance center for "real" Nike gear, not just the "made-for-outlet" stuff that some brands try to pull. You can find legitimate overstock from the previous season if you’re willing to dig through the back wall of orange boxes.
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Then there's the Bath & Body Works Outlet. This is a sleeper hit. Most people don't realize there is a difference between a "store" and an "outlet" for this brand. The Medford location often carries discontinued scents and clearance items that are 50% to 75% off. It’s chaotic. It smells like a thousand different candles fighting for dominance. But the deals are undeniably better than what you’d find at a standard mall.
The "Made for Outlet" Trap
You have to be smart when shopping here. This is the nuance most "travel guides" won't tell you. A lot of the clothing in modern outlets isn't actually "excess inventory." Brands like Gap or Banana Republic often manufacture specific lines for their outlet stores. The quality is usually a bit lower—thinner cotton, plastic buttons instead of horn, or simpler stitching.
How do you tell the difference at the Medford outlet mall Medford MN? Look at the labels.
- Gap: Look for three small squares on the tag. That usually means it’s an outlet-specific item.
- Banana Republic: Look for two small diamonds.
If you see these, you aren't getting a "sale" on a boutique item; you’re buying a budget item at its intended price. Is that bad? Not necessarily. But it’s something you should know before you think you’re "gaming the system." The real wins are at stores like Carter’s or OshKosh B’gosh where kids grow out of things so fast that the slightly lower thread count doesn't matter one bit.
The Architecture of Nostalgia
Walking through the Medford outlets feels like a time capsule. It has that classic outdoor promenade layout. It’s great in the summer. It’s... challenging in January. There is something quintessentially Minnesotan about sprinting from the car to the Under Armour store while a 20-mph wind whips across the prairie.
They’ve tried to modernize parts of it, but the bones are very 1991. That’s part of the charm, honestly. In an era where every shopping experience is curated by an algorithm or hidden behind a glass-and-steel facade, Medford feels honest. It’s a sidewalk, some glass doors, and a bunch of racks.
Eating and Staying Near Exit 48
One of the biggest complaints about the Medford outlet mall Medford MN used to be the food situation. For a long time, your options were pretty much "vending machine" or "drive to the next town." Things are a bit better now, but don't expect fine dining.
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Most regulars end up at the Medford Muni (the municipal liquor store and bar) or the nearby Arby's. If you want a "real" meal, you’re better off heading five minutes south into Owatonna. There’s a Torey’s Resort & Dining that serves a mean walleye, which is a much better way to end a shopping trip than a lukewarm pretzel.
And then there's the Cabela's. Just a stone's throw away. It’s impossible to talk about Medford without mentioning the giant green roof next door. The synergy between the outlet mall and Cabela's is what keeps that exit alive. The "husbands at Cabela's, wives at the outlets" trope is a cliché for a reason—it actually happens. Every weekend.
Why the Internet Hasn't Killed It
You’d think Jeff Bezos would have put Medford out of business by now. But retail therapy is a physical act. There is something about the "hunt" that a screen can't replicate. You can't feel the weight of a denim jacket on a website. You can't try on five different sizes of sneakers to see which one doesn't pinch your toes.
Also, the prices at the Medford outlet mall Medford MN often beat online prices because of the "clearance of the clearance" racks. Stores here have to move product to make room for the next shipment. If you hit the Eddie Bauer store at the right time during a season change, you’re getting prices that the website simply won't match because they aren't paying for shipping and returns on a $12 fleece.
The Economic Impact Nobody Talks About
We talk about shopping as a hobby, but for Steele County, this mall is a lifeline. It’s one of the largest employers in the immediate area. When the mall struggles, the town feels it.
Over the last decade, there were some scary moments. High vacancy rates in the early 2010s made people think the end was near. But the ownership group has been surprisingly scrappy. They’ve brought in non-traditional tenants—sometimes local boutiques or specialty shops—to fill the gaps left by departing national brands like J.Crew (which left many outlets years ago). This "hodgepodge" approach actually makes the mall more interesting than the cookie-cutter Simon Property Group malls you see in other states.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip, don't just wing it.
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First, check the weather. I'm serious. Because it's an outdoor mall, a rainy day will ruin your experience. There are overhangs, but they won't save you from a sideways Midwestern downpour.
Second, join the "VIP" clubs. Almost every store at the Medford outlet mall Medford MN has a mailing list or a text club. Don't sign up with your primary email—you’ll get buried in spam. Use a "burner" email or a secondary account. Most of these stores will give you an extra 15% to 20% off just for signing up on the spot. I’ve seen people save a hundred dollars at the Kitchen Collection (when it was there) or the Crocs store just by taking thirty seconds to scan a QR code at the register.
Third, go early. The mall opens at 10:00 AM most days. By 2:00 PM on a Saturday, the Nike store looks like a tornado hit it. If you want the best selection and a parking spot that doesn't require a hike, be there when the doors unlock.
The Reality of "Outlet Shopping" in 2026
Is it still a "deal"? Mostly.
You have to be a savvy consumer. The Medford outlet mall Medford MN is a tool. If you use it to buy basics—socks, underwear, t-shirts, kids' clothes, and the occasional pair of running shoes—you will save money. If you go there expecting to find this year’s runway fashion for pennies, you’re going to be disappointed.
The mall has survived because it adapted. It stopped trying to be a fashion mecca and started being a reliable place for families to get stuff they actually need. It’s rugged. It’s a bit dated. It’s perfectly Minnesota.
Actionable Steps for Your Shopping Trip
- Audit your closet first: Don't go "just to look." That’s how you end up with three hoodies you don't need. Make a list of specific gaps—running shoes, work khakis, or a new winter coat.
- The "Back Wall" Strategy: When you enter a store at Medford, ignore the front displays. Those are the "new arrivals" (often full price). Walk straight to the back wall. That’s where the actual clearance racks live.
- Check the Tag: Before you buy, look for those "outlet-only" markers (like the diamonds or squares mentioned earlier) to ensure you know the quality level you're paying for.
- Combine Trips: Don't drive two hours just for the mall. Hit the Rad Zoo (Radical Zoo) just down the road in Owatonna or spend an hour at Cabela's to make the gas money worth it.
- Sign up for the Medford Center's own newsletter: Sometimes the mall management runs center-wide "sidewalk sales" that offer deeper discounts than the individual stores advertise online.
The Medford outlet mall Medford MN isn't a relic of the past; it’s a survivor. It’s proof that as long as people want a bargain and a place to stretch their legs on a long drive, the physical store isn't going anywhere.
Next Steps:
Check the current store directory on the official Medford Outlet Center website before you head out, as tenant lists can change quarterly. If you're looking for specific brands like Nike or Adidas, call the store directly to ask if they are currently running a "friends and family" sale, which usually stacks with existing outlet discounts.