mbradwell@observer-reporter.com
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. said Wednesday it will open its new 370,000-square-foot outlet center in South Strabane Township at 11 a.m. Aug. 29.
The company said in a press release it will cut the ribbon on the $90 million center with Tanger founder and Chief Executive Officer Stanley K. Tanger; Steven B. Tanger, president and chief operating officer, and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, along with state and local officials.
The grand opening of the center, built to reflect the style of Pennsylvania's colonial-era carriage houses, also will include a giant Ferris Wheel, carousel and carnival-style games.
The center, on Racetrack Road, will feature 75 brand name and designer outlet stores. General manager Frank Salucci said Wednesday that the store count could go slightly higher, noting that one of the buildings was created to house one large tenant or several smaller ones.
He added that while the current focus is getting the outlet ready for the grand opening, Tanger's leasing agents continue to work on obtaining tenants for several outparcels on the site. Salucci said no timetable has been established for the outparcels.
He said work will continue on the main portions of the center until Aug. 29.
"We'll be working up until the day we open," Salucci said.
According to Tanger, the project created more than 300 construction jobs during the year-long building period, which broke ground July 19, 2007. Once open, the center will generate more than 800 retail sales associate and sales management positions.
The company said its center also will provide a significant economic benefit to area hotels, restaurants and many service businesses and will generate estimated local property tax revenue of $1.2 million each year.
"Our new $90 million Tanger Outlet Center is a major tourism attraction for the Pittsburgh area and the state of Pennsylvania," said Steven Tanger. "Like our popular Tanger Outlet Center in Lancaster, the Tanger Outlets near Pittsburgh will welcome millions of brand-name bargain hunters from throughout the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia region."
The company said it expects the center to draw more than 4.5 million visitors annually.
Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., Tanger Factory Outlet Centers owns or manages 31 shopping centers in 22 states.
Coming soon
Tanger Outlet Center stores are scheduled to open Aug. 29. They include:
adidas
American Country Collections
American Eagle Outfitters
Ann Taylor Factory Store
Banana Republic Factory Store
Bass
Bath & Body Works
Bose Factory Store
Brooks Brothers Factory Store
Burlington Brands
Calvin Klein
Carter's
Casual Male XL Outlet
Children's Place
Claire's
Clarks Bostonian
Coach Factory
Converse
Cosmetics Company
Designer Fragrances &
Cosmetic Co.
Dressbarn
Easy Spirit Outlet
Eddie Bauer Outlet
Factory Brand Shoes
Fragrance Outlet
Gap Outlet
GUESS Factory Store
Gymboree Outlet
Hanes Brands
Harry & David
Heartstrings
Izod
Jones New York
Journeys
Justice for Girls
Kasper
KAY Jewelers Outlet
KB Toys
Lane Bryant Outlet
Lids
Nike Factory Store
Nine West Outlet
Old Navy
PacSun
Perfumania
Puma
Reebok
Rockport
rue21
Samsonite Company Stores
SAS Shoes
Skechers
Strasburg Children
Stride Rite
Sunglass Hut
Timberland Factory Store
Tommy Hilfiger Co. Stores
Totes
Ultra Diamonds
Van Heusen
Wilsons Leather Outlet
Food court
Subway
Villa Pizza
Wok & Roll