If you're any kind of shopper, chances are you've been in at least one, if not several, malls.

Other than different locations, they're all the same, right? They're big, bland-colored buildings with ocean-sized parking lots jammed with heavy traffic on the weekends.

They usually have a couple of anchor stores, several clothing shops, shoe stores, a bookstore, toy store and a food court.

While on the surface it may seem as if all malls are carbon copies, that isn't necessarily the case. Every major mall in town contains its own little treasures, reasons for shoppers to travel from the northwest to Green Valley or to the Strip.

"Most malls have your main core stores, like the Gap and American Eagle Outfitters," said Vicki Duncan, marketing director for the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 Sunset Road, Henderson. "But then you try to find things that will set you apart from your competition. You find something that will give your shoppers options."

That usually comes in the form of exclusive shops, and when one mall is the only place to find a certain store, that may not be convenient for the shopper but it's certainly a bonus to the mall, Duncan said.

"Every center loves to have exclusive stores because that drives traffic to the mall," she explained.

Since it opened in September at the Galleria, Hollister, sister store to Abercrombie & Fitch and the first in Nevada, has developed quite a following, Duncan said.

"The prices are a bit less than Abercrombie and Fitch and they target a younger customer," Duncan said.

Galyan's, a sports and outdoor adventure store, also can be found locally only at the Galleria.

Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is probably the jackpot of exclusive stores. The mall supports more than 20 shops that can't be found elsewhere in the valley, including four of its seven anchors: Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's Home.

Then there are the little shops that, unless you've been there, you may not know exist.

The Apple store, which opened in November, carries the complete line of Macintosh computers as well as an array of digital cameras, camcorders, the entire iPod family and other items.

Two popular Hawaiian companies opened stores in the Fashion Show last year.

Cinnamon Girl is known for its designed and made-in-Hawaii floral-print sundresses for women and girls. But the store also carries jewelry, hats, hair clips, slippers, and home and bath items.

Island Pearls "is exactly what the name acknowledges," says Bob Taylor, the companyıs chief executive officer. It's the only store in Las Vegas that offers such a wide selection of pearl jewelry, he added, including a company's specialty, Tahitian black pearls. The jewelry is made at the Maui Divers Jewelry Design Center in Honolulu.

The Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South, boasts dozens of one-of-a-kind stores, most of them specializing in designer merchandise.

Last year saw the opening of Valentino boutique, which carries ready-to-wear men's and women's clothing; Tod's, known for its shoes and purses; and Dolce & Gabbana, among others.

Two of readers' favorite stores -- often listed in the Best of Las Vegas® poll results -- are only at the Forum Shops: Virgin Megastore, with music, DVDS, books and other items; and toy giant FAO Schwarz.

MAC Cosmetics, Estee Lauder and Ice Accessories also can be found exclusively at the Forum Shops.

The Boulevard Mall, 3680 S. Maryland Parkway, has African and World Imports, which carries imported African merchandise; and Torrid, specializing in women's alternative clothing.

Desert Passage at the Aladdin, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, has several exclusive stores but some of the most well-known include: Build-A-Bear Workshop; Clinique, featuring skin care, cosmetics and fragrances; the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store; and kitchenware shop Sur La Table.

If you want Jimmy Choo shoes, you're going to have to visit the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Mavado, known for its high-end watches, and sports footwear store New Balance also are among the more well-known exclusive shops at the Grand Canal.

The Jungle Zone, specializing in candles, incense, silver and gold jewelry, art, new age music, and women's and men's clothing, is found only at Meadows mall, 4300 Meadows Lane.