Seek and Destroy: Metallica fans descend on special pop-up store on Hennepin Ave. in search of unique merchandise

It was 1985 (or 2018) all over again as hundreds of die hard Metallica fans descended upon downtown Minneapolis to visit a one of a kind pop-up store. Eight years ago, Metallica christened U.S. Bank Stadium with its first major concert and they're back again this weekend for a massive, two-night set.

And just like that 2018 show, the band set up a store in downtown Minneapolis for fans to get some special merchandise. When you're a 43-year old band, and still filling U.S. Bank Stadium for two nights, fans were both old and young.

"I'm 17," said one shopper.

They come from far and wide looking to seek and destroy .

"I'm from Texas," said another. "I want everything. I want one of each. I'm gonna get a Yeti and a t-shirt, so far. So far. These two want everything. It's holding them back. It's Metallica and I figure if I buy my t-shirts here then I don't have to stand in line at the stadium."

They were all in line - a line that stretched around the block just to get in the store Thursday morning - to get some one of a kind merchandise.

The pop-up store will be open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day through Sunday. Bill Stone is the Manager of Metallica pop-up stores across North America.

"Pretty much everything in here is unique," Stone explained. "There's only a few shirts that are carried at the stadium."

That stadium is U.S. Bank Stadium where Metallica is playing two nights this weekend, a no-repeat concert extravaganza. They'll play Friday and again on Sunday in support of their newest album, their 11th full-length studio recording, "72 Seasons" in a career that has seen the thrashers from California bang their head all the way into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame .

For some who hit the pop-up store which is at 9th and Hennepin and easy to spot thanks to all the yellow Metallica signage, it was easy to find what they wanted.

"Limited edition stuff that you're going to get, city specific," a shopper told WCCO's Ari Bergeron. "The vinyl is Vikings purple and yellow. So, got to have it."

Who can blame him? But for others the shopping was not so simple.

"Yeah, because I want everything I want one of each," said a young woman who just couldn't decide.

But wherever they might roam .... they found something special.

It's a full-on Metallica Takeover weekend too. Other activities on Saturday include:

Bowling Takeover at Memory (Re) Lanes, 2520 26th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. The Metallica crew invite fans out for a day of bowling featuring a live performance by Metallica cover band "And ONE for All" on the lanes at 8 p.m. This is a non-ticketed event. Visit https://www.memorylanes.com/ for more information.

The Black Album in Black & White with Photographer Ross Halfin, Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets are required and available here .

Bastardane & OTTTO, Varsity Theater, 1308 SE 4th Street,, Minneapolis, MN, beginning at 7 p.m. Live in concert. Tickets are required and available here .

Metallica Film Fest, Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN, beginning at 11 a.m. featuring screenings of the epic films "Cliff 'Em All," "Cunning Stunts" and "Orgullo, Pasion Y. Gloria: Tres Notes En La Ciudad De Mexico." Tickets are required and available here .

Metallica Takeover at Smash Park in Roseville, MN, from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. featuring free axe throwing and a Metallica Name That Tune to win tickets to U.S. Bank Stadium. This is a free, non-ticketed event.

The weekend is a massive rock spectacular in Minneapolis drawing thousands of concertgoers to downtown.

Besides Metallica, other bands in town include Def Leppard, Journey, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, and Hozier, all performing at Target Center sandwiched around the two Metallica shows.

Horns up Twin Cities.