(July 21, 2015: ABC News 13) ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Just two months after opening, stores in the new Asheville Outlets are reporting record sales numbers.
Mall manager Sharon Morgan says more than 120,000 people visited the outlets on opening weekend. She says stores have already had several weekends with sales that topped that busy weekend.
“It’s literally exceeded expectations from the developers and it’s exceeded expectations from the stores,” Morgan said. “A lot of our stores have told us they’re still exceeding their plan their companies have given them.”
Some neighboring businesses — mostly restaurants — are also getting a boost. Papas and Beer in the neighboring Kmart Plaza has seen a jump in business during hours that were normally slow.
“Our down time was usually around 1, 1:30,” Papas and Beer co-owner Lorenzo Sierra said. “Now it’s close to about 3:30 to 4, 4 o’clock.”
Not everyone is cashing in just yet. Operators of nearby hotels believe with time that too could change.
“I think it’ll encourage guests in the future to extend their stay by a night or two, since there’s more to do in the area,” director of sales at Comfort Suites Crystal Camacho said.
With roughly 60 stores already, the outlets aren’t done growing yet; construction is underway on a new Field and Stream outdoor adventure store.
“It has been so nice to just hear all the comments that they’re so grateful that we did this,” Morgan said.
Construction is also underway on a new Lucky Brand store set to open in the fall.
Click here to view the coverage.