Seaport Village. Ferry Building Marketplace. Gas Lamp Quarter. Broadway on the Beach. Instantly recognizable, each of these iconic districts stands alone as a world-class destination. Even more importantly, each fuels the vitality of the city in which it makes its home. And soon, Scottsdale will have its own: The Shops at OdySea in the Desert. Slated to open July 2016, it will offer an entertaining shopping experience like no other in the state showcasing the local culture and cuisine in a very distinctive way.
Located at the OdySea in the Desert Entertainment complex at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Scottsdale, The Shops will offer an open air marketplace comprised of 78,000 square feet of innovative “themed” restaurants and individual retail offerings all centered in a bustling European-styled courtyard with lively stage performances and 360-degree visibility from a multitude of surrounding attractions including Butterfly Wonderland, OdySea Mirror Maze, the OdySea Aquarium, Fliteshop (indoor sky diving facility), the AZ Skywheel, and Aquatic Oasis, a flagship water destination.
Supporting local retailers and businesses has been a growing trend in the Valley for both the environment and the state’s economy and The Shops will be rife with the growing local flavor of the region. The Shops will also be reminiscent of popular tourist boardwalks that offer entertainment such as candy making and glassblowing demonstrations and restaurants that incorporate an entertainment element with a unique dining experience. Unlike big box shopping centers, The Shops will offer diversity to further enhance the uniqueness of Arizona.
According to founder, Amram Knishinsky, PhD. “It was important for us to offer an authentic venue to further enhance the entertaining experience here at OdySea in the Desert. My inspiration came from visiting Europe where I was intrigued with the local artisans showcasing the uniqueness of their area. I’m always inclined to make a purchase when I know it is “local.”
