For the Reporter

The Outlet Collection|Seattle, formerly the SuperMall, has announced a new lineup of retailers coming to the center this fall, including Nike Factory Store, Michael Kors, J. Crew Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, LOFT Outlet, H&M and Skechers.

With plans to open by October, these brands will join the outlet mall’s existing designer fashion retailers such as Coach Factory, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, Nordstrom Rack, Banana Republic Factory and Old Navy Outlet.

The new brands mark the next phase of the mall’s plan to revitalize 100,000 square feet of merchant space as a part of its transformation to become The Outlet Collection.

“Adding contemporary fashion retailers is key to our broader plans for the redevelopment of the entire center and in line with our commitment to providing luxury and value in a modern, upscale environment,” said Chantelle Herburger, marketing director of The Outlet Collection|Seattle. “As the largest fully enclosed outlet mall in the Pacific Northwest, we look forward to welcoming iconic brands like Nike Factory Store, Michael Kors, J. Crew Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, LOFT Outlet, H&M and Skechers and believe this represents the first of more store announcements.”

A public grand-unveiling event is planned for Oct. 17-19 to showcase the renovation and welcome new tenants. The renovation of the center began in August 2012 and will be substantially completed upon the grand-unveiling event. The center will remain open for business throughout the duration of the construction.

A new look

In addition to new designer fashion outlet retailers, the renovation project includes all new flooring, modern colors inside and out, new interior rails and light fixtures, as well as new concourse furniture and signage. Family restrooms have been added and Wi-Fi hotspots will be available throughout the interior. Exterior work includes a new design, name and branding at all vehicle and mall entry points.

A new Dining Emporium opened in February of this year featuring D’Lara Mediterranean Grill, Italian Kitchen Villa Pizza and Dairy Queen/Orange Julius. Also, in February a new interior concourse connector was added to improve the shopping experience. The first two of five mall entrance renovations will be completed in July.

“Our $35 million reinvestment in the center demonstrates our commitment to the City of Auburn as well as the greater Pacific Northwest region,” said Greg Fleser, general manager of The Outlet Collection│Seattle. “We estimate more than 1,000 new job opportunities will be created through the renovation, and the city will see increased tax revenue from a broader customer base seeking upscale fashion retail at a value and by attracting customers from a broader region. The result will be increased sales tax revenue for the City of Auburn, King County and the state of Washington.”

Glimcher, which owns and manages The Outlet Collection|Seattle, unveiled The Outlet Collection brand in May 2012 as part of its strategy to continuously improve quality and identify growth opportunities within its portfolio. The Outlet Collection brand also includes The Outlet Collection|Jersey Gardens, located in Elizabeth, N.J.

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LINK:

www.theoutletcollectionseattle.com