Exposed filter view: how to separate view filter and view (results)

I have a some 100 nodes corresponding to a 'shop' content type. Within this content type there's a field being 'area' to chose one from a list of categories defined in the vocabulary 'areas' (areas: north, south, east, west, center).

I have defined a view that shows:
- all nodes that are 'shop'
- and which 'taxonomy: terms for areas' is one of 'north'

Then 'taxonomy: terms for areas' becomes a exposed filter, so that the visitor can change from one area to another one. This exposed filter is forced to be single, so that only one area at a time can be selected. The view (page) shows as a list of shops in the north with a drop-down select that lets the visitor select a different area, press submit and get the list of shops for that area.

Everything is ok until here.

Now, what I want to do is have that drop-down select, with 'north', 'south', 'east', 'west' and 'center' in the side column, where the menus are, but not having any view (it will show on every page of the site as a menu). Then, when I select any of the areas in the drop-down, the right page will load with the right view in the main (central) column.

Is there any easy approach from where I'm now or do I have to start it in a different manner?

Thanx in advance.