BLOOMINGTON, MN— Nov. 12, 2019

Shoppers looking to find the perfect gifts this holiday season have thousands of reasons to make Mall of America their Black Friday destination of choice – actually, more than $200,000 worth of reasons. Mall of America announced it would give away more than $200,000 in gift cards and prizes throughout Black Friday weekend, starting on what is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.

Mall of America will open its doors at 5 a.m. on Black Friday with a traditional door opening celebration at the North Entrance. Gift cards valued anywhere between $10 – $500 will be given out to the first 200 guests in line in addition to thousands of others who will receive a Mystery Scratch Off ticket for a chance to win prizes such as concert tickets, electronics, designer handbags and more. Caribou Coffee will also be handing out free hot cocoa and coffee to those eager shoppers waiting in line.

“I cannot think of a better way of giving thanks to our loyal guests than by giving them a chance to start their holiday shopping with a free gift,” said Jill Renslow, SVP of Marketing and Business Development at Mall of America. “Mall of America is the premier retail and entertainment destination because of the people who walk through our doors every day. Black Friday is our opportunity to say thank you.”

While Black Friday is for guests, Thanksgiving Day is for employees and their families. For the fourth consecutive year, Mall of America will close on Thanksgiving so employees can enjoy the holiday. In addition to receiving Thanksgiving off, Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe employees who work on Black Friday will receive holiday pay.

“As important as our guests are too us, our employees are the ones who have the responsibility for making the Mall of America experience special,” said Renslow. “Anyone who works on a holiday, especially a holiday meant for families, understands that it can be tough. Giving back Thanksgiving Day to our employees is one of the most important and rewarding business decisions we have made. Our team comes in on Black Friday ready to deliver a memorable experience for our guests.”

And the 2019 holiday shopping season will be even more memorable for 10,000 Mall of America guests. Beginning on Black Friday and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 1, Mall of America guests can receive a Mystery Scratch-Off ticket for a chance to win one of 10,000 prizes. A limited number of tickets will be distributed each day at Mall open throughout the weekend at the North entrance. Guests who receive a scratch-off ticket will have the opportunity to win amazing prizes totaling in value of more than $200,000. Free prizes include electronics, high-end retail products, concert tickets, gift cards, Nickelodeon Universe tickets, professional sports tickets, hotel getaways and more.

In addition to the gift cards and prizes, Black Friday at Mall of America also will feature free entertainment from national musical performers throughout the day. More details will be available at mallofamerica.com.

And for those who are looking to burn-off calories ahead of their Thanksgiving Day meals and Black Friday shopping, Mall of America will once again host the Walk to End Hunger from 7 – 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. The walk, which is in its 12th year, is organized by a coalition of 10 hunger-relief organizations to raise awareness and funding for a plan to end hunger in Minnesota.

PRESS CONTACT
Mall of America: Sarah Grap (sarah.grap@moa.net or 952-883-8805)

ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA
At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with more than 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, the nation’s largest indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; Hard Rock Café; The Escape Game; CMX Cinemas; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to the MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.


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