why is the mac app store icon missing from my dock?

[Edit: Better answers here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3139456?answerId=18171590022#18171590022]

[what I wrote originally]

Maybe search using Spotlight? "App Store"

Perhaps repatch? Here are the download links, why not go all the way up to 10.6.8?

http://support.apple.com/downloads/#mac%20app%20store

(I'm not sure which one is right for you though, the "10.6.6" or the "10.6.6 combo")

Or maybe just use Apple menu > Software Update?

If you have Time Machine backups, try checking there first since that would be the easiest way to restore it.

Otherwise, follow nerdatheart's link and use Pacifist to get it out of a combo update.

Oh, and check the trash, of course! 😀

You may have dragged it off, even if accidentally.

Click on Finder, go to your Applications folder (command+shift+A will take you there), and find the Mac App Store. Drag the icon back to your dock.