Central Emporium
The oldest mall around
144 Lake Shore Dr
Arnolds Park, IA
(712)332-5293
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33 User Reviews & Comments
January 18, 2012 



We have spent years going here for vacation memorabilia. Something for everyone. Some expensive brands, but most are very reasonable. A great shopping experience on the lake!
September 2, 2011 



One word. OVERPRICED. This place survives on gouging tourist.
July 3, 2011 



I go every year and find that the shops have great things to offer and recommend going if you are in the area
June 5, 2011 



Super family run "old fashioned candy shop"
August 31, 2010 



Sugar shack says it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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August 30, 2010 



love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bring lots of monayyyy!!!!!!!!
June 23, 2010 



Hi, I just love Emporium I have been there in the 70‘s with my Husband, he was taking scbua lesson‘s I would go shopping while he took his lesson. He has passed away, but I always look forward to going each and every year. Now I take my little dog to the Emporium. Jenna H.
May 23, 2010 



love shopping at the emporium!!! the coolest place i would say for you boji apparel is boji funwear... first store on the left! you can make you our design on you shirt or sweatshirt which is so much fun for the entire family! the prices are very reasonable and the employees are the best. visit it!!!
May 3, 2010 



The sugar sack is a great place and you eat good good candy yum yum yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 9, 2010 



This is one of the highlights of our vacation our little girls love coming here to all the shops especially the candy shop....we can boat right up and go shopping in our swimsuits ....they have great okoboji items......something for everyone......we look forward to this every year........
December 29, 2009 



The Central Emporium is really a great summer shopping excursion, especially if you can go by boat and dock right on Lake Okoboji. Every year I make it a point of stopping at Kay‘s Beach Boutique to pick out a new swimsuit. They have the best selection and service you‘d be able to find anywhere. I also love stopping at the candy store for my old favorites as a kid. There is a great restaurant that overlooks the lake that has super food and a terrific view.
September 25, 2009 



They have the best sales, Labor Day weekend!! 75 % off, you can‘t beat it.... I go every year. It‘s a cute place, lots of fun things to look at. Okoboji suveniors....
August 14, 2009 



I love going there during the summer, and I always find a few Okoboji things, but if you want regular clothes, but suveniers... it‘s pretty expensive. I usuallly only end up getting ONE thing that doesn‘t say Okoboji... It‘s just too pricey!
However, I must say I love the atmosphere there! It‘s a little run-down, but I think that adds to its charm!
I love that I can just show up in my swimsuit and a teeshirt straight from skiing and nobody gives me weird looks! It‘s fun to shop around, and you‘ll always find a treasure!
I only give it a 3 because it‘s a little over-priced......
However, I must say I love the atmosphere there! It‘s a little run-down, but I think that adds to its charm!
I love that I can just show up in my swimsuit and a teeshirt straight from skiing and nobody gives me weird looks! It‘s fun to shop around, and you‘ll always find a treasure!
I only give it a 3 because it‘s a little over-priced......
July 2, 2009 



this is the best place ever...we come here a lot! its an awesome vacation attraction!!!!
June 4, 2009 



Part of the charm of the Emporium is that it is old and in need of cosmetic changes. But if they did that it would be just another high end looking shopping mall that would scare off all the "normal" people. The way the Emporium is now, you can climb off the boat in your swimming suit, go shopping and not worry about who you run into looking the way you do!! It takes you back in time when you walk in the door. And yes, some things are pricey, but there is something for everyone. There are high priced shops and regular priced shops. If you walk away not being able to find something, then you are just too picky. The Emporium fits the nostalgic feel of the Lakes and like the other reviews, it keeps people wanting to come back year after year!!
Added by yostontoast
April 13, 2009 



i think this place is amazing! It is a short walk from our cabin and when i get into that place there is one major store that i want to visit....The Sugar Shack...its a great place for the whole family to come and enjoy their delicious candy.
June 1, 2008 



You can never be too bored walking around in the Emporium. Our first stop of the summer is the Sugar Shack! After our vacation ends we stop back in at the Sugar Shack to satisfy our sweet tooth for a few more days after we arrive back home!
May 29, 2008 



The Central Emporium is a hot spot in the summer. I have enjoyed going there because there is somthing for everyone. It has your Okoboji t-shirts in some of the shops but there is much more then that. A lot of the stores have summer clothing from Life is good to even Roxy. But the best shop there is the Sugar Shack you can get candy from now and when you were a kid. Over all if you make a trip to the Lakes you have to stop at the Central Emorium.
March 4, 2008 



Great tourist attraction. Things are quite expensive, unless you come Labor Day weekend or the weekend before when they are about to close. There really is something for everyone. Being from the lakes area it‘s lost its amazingness over the years, but it‘s still fun to go look around.
October 14, 2007 



What a great Lakes area place to shop! I wish it would have had more shops open after Labor Day but at least there a few and The Gardens (bar/grill located in CE basement) is open year-round.
September 5, 2007 



I haven‘t been to Okoboji in years, but one day plan on getting back up there again!! I loved shopping at the Central Emporium for my annual tshirts! Ahh the memories!
July 21, 2007 



The Sugar Shack in the Central Emporium is a must for kids of all ages! It‘s one of the highlights of Okoboji!
July 8, 2007 



The Emporium has been around since I was little and I love it. I look forward to going there every time I visit the lakes area. The prices of items are outragous, but never stops me from buying my annual Okoboji Sweatshirt!!! Love the sugar shack! I love it!
June 14, 2007 



I thought the Emporium was a very enjoyable shopping experience and it was fun to see all of the different shops
June 14, 2007 



omg i have been going 2 the emporium 4ever and love it!!! the animal house is great!!!
May 30, 2007 



The only place worth checking out is the Sugar Shack, which is too bad because its a cool place.
December 4, 2006
I love going to this place, its cool going to all the Neat shops!, so I hope this place doesnt Close down and turn into Condos, that be sad..
August 1, 2006
You just have to love the SUGAR SHACK in the Central Emporium! It takes you back in time (even though the prices are very much "today").
July 26, 2006
I have been going to the Emporium my whole life and agree with the comment: Most of the items are insanely over-priced!
July 1, 2006
The Central Emporium is a very enjoyable place to go with the family and just shop around! They have a lovely line of Okoboji clothing that I have been buying for a long time! I love it!!!
March 25, 2006
I have been coming to this mall since i was a little girl and everytime i come back to it i love it! its got a beautiful view of the lake and all of the shops are unique and so cute! My all time favorite is the Sugar Shack! I like that this place looks old because it gives it character!
January 12, 2006
Some nice unique shops, but I think half the stores sell only or mostly Okoboji merchandise. Also, most of the items are insanely over-priced.
August 19, 2005
Plenty of shops to get a t-shirt if you want one. The bathrooms need to be updated and the outside of the building is really sad--siding coming off, etc. You‘d think that this landmark that sees so much business would be taken care of.