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Feb 21, 2009 6:11 pm US/Central
Mall Features Shops That Cater To Somali Culture
(WCCO)
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The mall is not just for Somalis, but it does have some items that you might not find at other stores.
CBS
The Global Business Center in the Hi-Lake Shopping Center has 42 stores. The 20,000-square foot center has a little bit of everything, from home decorations to clothes.
The mall is not just for Somalis, but it does have some items that you might not find at other stores.
There is also a beauty shop, but it is not like others. It caters mostly to Muslim women.
"In our culture we can't show our hair, so if we have a lot of privacy, other beauty salons, we wont have that privacy," said shopper Asha Abdulla.
There are only about a handful of beauty shops in the area, so it's bound to be popular.
The mall also has a prayer room, since Muslims pray at least five times a day.
"It's very important, because a lot of people, they are coming to pray right here," said Abdi Mohammed, President of the Business Consortium, gesturing to the prayer area.
The developers expect other Somalis who live as far away as Nebraska and Ohio to come shop there. They also think location will help with the mall's success. There's free parking and the Light Rail is nearby.
"We are trying to our business to share with the other communities, so that's why we come here," said Abdi Mohammed.
There are 50 merchants on a waiting list wanting to set up shop at the Global Business Center.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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