Staff tried in vain to catch the animal with blankets and boxes after it got into outdoor clothing store Blacks on Deansgate. It eventually ran inside a wall fitting - and disappeared.
Officers from the RSPCA and South Manchester Wildlife Rescue (SMWR) arrived later to help with the hunt. They laid traps baited with food and turned off the lights to draw out the mink.
Eventually the animal - named 'Norman' by Blacks' staff - got hungry and was snared in a trap. It was taken away by the RSPCA and may be given to a licensed keeper.
Rick Henderson, 23, Blacks assistant manager, told how the drama unfolded. He said: "We were happy to try to catch him and let him go, but when we found out it was a mink and he has a nasty bite it was another story."
Thousands of mink have been released into the wild by animal rights activists and are fierce predators. Martin Turner, from Alderley Edge-based SMWR, added: "Whatever happens to the little guy, at least he won't end up as someone's coat."
With news video.
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