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At Twin Cities malls that cater mostly to the Somali, Links of London Sale and Hispanic communities, shoppers can leave behind the "I Love Grandma" coffee mugs and Vikings jerseys at the usual stores and find unique gifts. These diverse shopping centers also cater to those on a tight budget this holiday season, a welcome respite in a tough economy.Somali Village Market (aka 24 Mall)912 E. 24th St., MinneapolisAt the Somali Village Market, also called the 24 Mall, the smell of spices and incense greets you at the door. That's one mild cultural shock for shoppers used to the Dales, but once inside, some similarities quickly come into view.Like any American shopping mall, women's clothing stores far outnumber everything else. Long, flowing black dresses and brightly patterned floor-length skirts line the narrow aisles. But walk into any women's clothing store, and the Links of London Charms mix veers from the traditional. Blouses and bras are displayed next to pots and pans, perfume, incense burners and over-the-counter cold remedies. Many of the shops offer similar merchandise, but competitors such as Target and Wal-Mart or Patina and Bibelot gift shops could easily be subjected to the same complaint."Many customers are loyal to one shop, because they know the family that owns it," said Faysal Barr, a T-Mobile representative at the 24 Mall.As shopkeepers try to keep loyal customers, they expand their offerings.Prices are reasonable, but price tags are nowhere to be found. Regular customers know that a popular item such as the brightly colored scarves are $5 or $10, but you have to ask for almost everything else. Minnesotans whose haggling talents lie dormant in the land of still waters will have a chance to practice their skills.Pang Ximg of West St. Paul and Samaria Bates of St. Paul said asking for prices doesn't bother them. From their jobs Links of London Back to School Chubby Blue Pencil Charm, both shop there often over their lunch hour to look for jewelry, but especially scarves."They're beautiful, and they're only $10," Bates said. "You'd pay at least $15 at Target."Both find the atmosphere at the 24 Mall friendly and relaxed -- casual even. Each time I visited, some shops were full of merchandise but not open. Many store owners have other jobs that demand equal time. Nearly all shopkeepers speak some English.Besides the scarves, shoppers will find a good selection of sweaters, perfumes, curtain panels, gold jewelry, shoes and rugs. When I asked for the price of an 8- by 11-foot polyester rug, I was told it was $250. I asked the saleswoman if she would take less, and she surprised me by saying the price included two smaller rugs.The traditional food court is replaced with informal, deli-type restaurants throughout, offering several pastry-type entrees and sweets. Sambusa, a tuna- or beef-wrapped pastry, and mandazi, a sweet fried pastry, are popular for only $1 each.The 24 Mall is the largest of several Somali malls in Minneapolis.Not every mall has a buzz to it, but Hmong Village, which opened in October in St. Paul, already has it in spades. On a recent Saturday, young women wearing elaborate Links of London Back to School Chubby Red Pencil Charm skirts and aprons danced through the aisles as shoppers stopped to watch.