As if you didn't already have enough places to spend your money.

Aventura Mall, which recently completed a $22 million renovation, has a new roster of upscale stores and restaurants -- including high-end Hello Kitty Wear and a new-and-improved Apple store.

The mall, located at 19501 Biscayne Blvd., finished construction on a new wing, anchored by the new Nordstrom -- which by the end of the year will be home to several new retailers.

In recent months, several other shops and eateries have also opened in other parts of the sprawling 2.8 million square-foot complex.

Mac addicts can now get their fix at north Miami-Dade's only Apple store, which last month celebrated the opening of its new digs. The storefront, roughly three times the size of its predecessor, can now be found on the first floor of the mall, near the movie theater.

Whereas the old Apple store could best be described in three words -- ''dark, dingy and hot,'' said store manager Julio Gonzalez -- the new location is open, airy and bright.

In addition to its physical upgrade, the new store offers Mac lovers more room to check e-mail and peruse the latest 3G iPhones.

A mother-and-daughter duo from Maryland noticed the friendly atmosphere while shopping at the Apple store on a recent afternoon.

''Here you can actually get someone to help you,'' said Lynne Deckelbaum, who was checking out iPods with her daughter Felicia, 22. ``Back home, you can stand on line for 20 minutes or more.''

While the Apple store brings new life to the south side of the mall, a handful of shops recently opened in the mall's new wing, and several others are planned.

For frequent shopper Raquel Davies, the newer wing of the mall has everything a girl could want.

''It has the high class stores and also the stores for everyday people,'' said the 19-year-old Barry student.

In 2008, Aventura Mall has brought in 45 new stores -- more than twice the amount in a typical year, said Anabel Llopis, director of marketing for the mall.

''And we are not finished with the year yet,'' she said. Recent additions include two upscale denim retailers: 7 For All Mankind, which opened three weeks ago, and Reiss, which also opened last month.

September also saw the opening of the Ocean Prime restaurant, La Martina clothing store, which sells polo wear from Argentina, and Victoria Couture, which offers grown-up Hello Kitty gear like jewel-encrusted accessories.

Upscale boutique Adolfo Dominguez made its debut in August, as did teen favorite Forever XXI. They will soon be joined by mineral makeup shop Bare Escentuals, Cole Haan shoe store, a Herve Leger boutique, and Catimini, a designer of European children's clothing.

Also coming soon: Los Angeles eatery The Grill on the Alley, True Religion Brand Jeans, Mia Jewels, and clothing shops Lounge and Lucy.

''This is the nicest indoor mall around, I'd say,'' said Montreal native Sean Dollinger, who lives nearby and visits the mall three to four times a week with his family.

Dollinger, whose son Harbour was playing with a balloon from Nordstrom, said the mall is a perfect place to dodge the sun and stop for a quick bite to eat.

''It's a nice place to escape to,'' he said.

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