Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Update on March 20: The last batch of store announcements:
Ann Taylor Factory Store, Christopher & Banks, Go Games & Go Toys, Levi’s Outlet Store, New York & Company Outlet, Pandora Jewelry, Vera Bradley Outlet
Update on March 19: Asheville Outlets on Twitter today announced the following stores:
GNC, Express Factory Store, Cole Hann, Dillard’s Clearance Center, Forever 21, Kay Jewelers, Hanesbrands, Maurice’s, Wilson’s Leather, Perfumes 4U, The Children’s Place.
This is unconfirmed, but I’ve also heard that Vera Bradley and Pandora Jewelry are coming. FYI, the Asheville Outlets is not announcing food court/restaurant tenants yet. They’re still working that out, but I hear that the Asheville craft brewing scene will have a presence at the mall. I don’t know if that means one craft brewer will be on site, or if there will be a restaurant with a wide selection of craft brews on tap.
Update March 18: Here’s the next round of confirmed stores:
Abercrombie & Fitch Davis Home dressbarn Famous Footwear, J. Crew Factory Justice, OshKosh b’gosh, Under Armour, Uniform Destination, Zales Outlet
Original post March 16: Here’s the first batch of confirmed stores for Asheville Outlets, the new mall coming together on Brevard Road (the former Biltmore Square Mall):
Retailers revealed today include Coach Outlet, Johnston & Murphy Factory Store, ASICS, Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic Factory Store, Auntie Anne’s, Rack Room Shoes, Talbots Outlet, Sunglass Hut, Carter’s Babies & Kids, The Fragrance Outlet, and Field & Stream. This will be one of only two Field & Stream stores in the North Carolina.
The new open-air shopping center is scheduled to open May 1 and will feature more than 75 name-brand outlets and local retailers, according to a press release. More from the press release:
“We are so excited to be able to bring all of these wonderful retailers to Asheville,” said Sharon Morgan, General Manager of Asheville Outlets. “Asheville Outlets will give regional and national visitors to the area another reason to ‘stay another day’ as well as give the local shoppers great stores close to home,” she continued. Store names will be released first through Asheville Outlets social media. Follow on Facebook @ashevilleoutlets, Twitter @shopasheville and Instagram @ashevilleoutlets. Or visit us online at www.shopashevilleoutlets.com
Many of the new retailers will also be participating in a job fair, to be held in the Expo Building at the WNC Agricultural Center on March 26th from 8 am to 7 pm. More 800 full and part-time jobs are available.
The Countdown to Spring is just the beginning. There will be more store announcements in the weeks ahead, leading up to the grand opening on May 1st. Grand opening weekend will kick off with Open Doors. Open Hearts. Charity Preview Night on April 30th, a ticketed sneak preview event benefitting 20 local charities. Tickets are available online at shopashevilleoutlets.com. Other opening weekend events include a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1st, a fashion event on Saturday, May 2nd and a Kids’ Day on Sunday, May 3rd. All three days of opening weekend will feature local musicians and performers throughout the center.
China Max is located in food courts and will be one of the food court locations.