By Michael Bradwell

Business editor

mbradwell@observer-reporter.com

MEADOW LANDS - Tanger Factory Outlet Stores will open its Washington outlet center Aug. 29 with between 75 and 90 stores in operation, its general manager said Thursday.

The Greensboro, N.C.-based company said last week it has received signed leases for 74 percent of the stores it expects to open in the first phase of the local center, with another 8 percent out for signature.

Meanwhile, construction continues at the South Strabane Township site, where workers have assembled eight of nine pre-stressed concrete buildings that will house the stores in a 370,000-square-foot layout spread over about 50 acres that includes parking for about 2,200 vehicles.

Frank Salucci, who became general manager of the Washington Center on March 31, has been joined by assistant general manager Jennifer Benchich, who previously worked at Tanger's Lancaster outlet.

According to Salucci, the outlet expects to draw visitors from a 60-mile radius. Benchich said the local outlet will be a little different from other Tanger outlets, which are primarily built in major tourist areas like Myrtle Beach, S.C.

"It will be a locally driven market with some tourists," Salucci said, adding that Tanger is working with the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency on ways to promote the outlet here and throughout its marketing area.

Despite the 60-mile radius for the outlet's primary market, both Salucci and Benchich said they'll also be looking at ways to attract Canadian shoppers, given its location adjacent to Interstate 79.

"It would be great to try to draw some Canadian customers down this way," Benchich said. "It will definitely be a draw for them."

Benchich said all Tanger customers will receive an e-mail or postcard announcing the opening of the Washington center.

Salucci said the outlet will hold a grand opening Aug. 29, which is the start of Labor Day weekend.

What visitors will see will be an outlet decorated in a Colonial style. Along the way, shoppers will pass through several park-like areas that Salucci said will be decorated in an "English tea garden" motif. Walkways will lead people past several "anchor" stores and beneath skylight-lit roofs covering a variety of in-line stores, offering protection from the elements.

"We want to make it convenient for shoppers to get around," Salucci said. "This makes it a lot nicer to go from tenant to tenant."

According to Salucci, stores that will be open in the first phase will include Harry & David, Nine West, Pacific Sunwear, Nike, Converse, Timberland, Coach, Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Wilson's Leather, Skechers, Tommy Hilfiger and Brooks Brothers.

"Seventy-five (stores) is really what they're going with right now, but at this point, that could gain a little bit," he said.

Tanger owns a total of 124 acres at the Washington site. While the construction is focusing on completion of the buildings that will house the stores in the first phase, Salucci said plans are to begin developing several outparcels for future free-standing stores or restaurants. He said Tanger's leasing department is working on attracting tenants to those sites.

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