LITTLE ROCK (KATV) – The Outlets at Little Rock is expected to be opened for shopping this summer. “We’re at least half way done. Things happen really quickly in the next few months,” said Michael Barelli, Vice President of New England Development.
The 325,000 square foot project broke ground on June 9th, 2014 and is still on schedule to open sometime this summer.Located near the intersection of I-30 and I-430 in southwest Little Rock – the outlet mall is said to be the first in the state of its kind. Barelli estimates the mall will bring $100 million in annual retail sales and $6.5 million in state sales.
Foundation has been poured and steel beams are going up on seven different buildings. 71 will be retail stores, four will be restaurants.Barelli said Little Rock should know more about what stores by April, but hinted another outlet mall which opened in February at West Palm Beach, Florida was mentioned as a barometer for possible tenants.
“Many of the same tenants will be at this center. Tenants like that, very fashion orientated. You’ll see shoes, clothing, men’s and women’s apparel, children’s, teen, that kind of thing,” said Barelli. The outlet mall isn’t enclosed like Park Plaza or McCain Mall, some parts are outdoors. Barelli believes the outlet mall will bring in a new type of consumer who is looking for cheaper price tags. “Those are great malls. They’re full priced malls. We’re an outlet center, we offer outlet tenants like discounters. The outlet mall is going to bring a lot of people into the market who wouldn’t come otherwise,” said Barelli.