Working on our annual Shops publication means I've been knee-deep in all kinds of Twin Cities retail news. It's amazing to see how many stores have come and gone, opened second (third, fourth) outposts, added services, or moved locations in the past year. Believe me, it's a little difficult to keep track of it all! The good news is that our retail scene is always changing and always improving with new concepts popping up everywhere you turn—which makes shopping all the more fun, right? By fall, we'll have a whole new crop of storefronts to explore. Here are a few just-opened and soon-to-be-open stores:

Blacklist Vintage
A new haunt for vintage lovers, Blacklist celebrates its grand opening with a party this Saturday at 8 p.m., featuring local band Beatrix Jar and a 10 percent discount off everything in store. Owners and vintage aficionados, Jennifer Mumm and Vanessa Messersmith, bring in a well-edited selection of fashion, accessories, furniture, décor, and more from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. We can't wait to check it out. 2 E. 27th St., Mpls., 612-872-8552

Target Commercial Interiors
Offering interior design services as well as tables, chairs, lights, home décor, and floor coverings, Target Commercial Interiors is now open inside the 11,000-square-foot space on Nicollet Mall left behind by Crate & Barrel. It celebrates its official grand opening on July 24. 915 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-343-7373

The Container Store
Been meaning to organize your home? The Container Store will be here to help come October 11. The retailer's first Minnesota location will debut in Edina, featuring more than 10,000 products organized in fourteen different lifestyle departments (closet, kitchen, office, travel, laundry, and others). Plus, free Elfa design services for customized storage and organization solutions. France Ave. & Gallagher Dr., Edina

American Girl Boutique & Bistro
Slated to open inside Nickelodeon Universe in November 2008, the 20,000-square-foot American Girl boutique will carry all of the company’s famous dolls and best-selling books, plus outfits, accessories, girl-size clothing, and more. It’s also the perfect setting for American Girl–themed parties: Dolls get new ‘dos in the Doll Hair Salon, and a casual bistro serves, brunch, lunch, dinner, and a place for girls to gab, play, and celebrate special occasions. Mall of America, Bloomington

Edelweiss Baby
Mint green, pale yellow, and other pretty pastels welcome shoppers into Heather Somers’s new upscale baby boutique. Moms find neatly displayed apparel for the littlest boys and girls, plus high-quality baby skincare products, toys, blankets, and gifts. Edelweiss makes shopping easy for new moms by providing a fully stocked diaper-changing space, bathroom, and comfortable seating area for nursing. The Fountains at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove, 763-488-1616

Lacoste
The French apparel company, which was founded in 1933 and is easily identified by its crocodile logo, opens its first Minnesota store this week on MOA’s first floor. In addition to its famous lightweight, tennis-inspired shirts, the contemporary store features an array of brightly hued casual apparel and footwear for men, women, and children. Mall of America, Bloomington

Ruehl
Young professionals who have outgrown the Abercrombie & Fitch lifestyle will find similar lounge wear plus business-casual attire at the company’s newest retail concept (opening later this summer at MOA). Aimed at a slightly older crowd and inspired by NYC’s West Village, Ruehl stocks polos, woven shirts, tanks, knits, and handbags for women as well as outerwear, denim, shirts, and accessories for men—plus the same sexy décor as A & F’s other stores. Mall of America, Bloomington

Levi’s
Also opening this summer at MOA: Our favorite fits from the iconic denim label, including classic 501s and contemporary SilverTabs, will be available inside a spacious new boutique—the only all-Levi's store in the state. Mall of America, Bloomington

West Elm
We’re already anticipating the crowds for the late-2008 opening of popular home furnishings retailer West Elm. The Brooklyn, New York-based company—an offshoot of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.—makes its Minnesota debut with an approximately 15,000-square-foot store in a new multi-use development on France Avenue. Design-savvy shoppers love West Elm’s signature brand of sleek, contemporary furniture, rugs, bedding, tableware, and home décor. The quickly growing company launched its catalog in April 2002, opened its first store in Chelsea in 2004, and now has approximately thirty locations across the U.S. 7311 France Ave. S., Edina