This is Steven Tanger's mantra, one he's repeated often in recent weeks: "In good times, people love a bargain. In bad times, they need one."
The 59-year-old CEO of Tanger Outlet Centers, the newest of which opens Thursday in Deer Park, clearly has good timing.
Tanger Outlets at The Arches (yup, lots of architectural arches – 800,000 or so square feet modeled after a stucco Tuscan village complete with a fountain-cum-skating rink and a 16-screen Cineplex) debuts with some 70 stores (more to follow) as the Dow tanks, and the economy is pretty darn close to being the worst in history. But Tanger's hoping that deep discounts and a special environment will trump economic woes.
The big question is, can you hunt down a real bargain here? Ohhh, yeah.
We visited the two anchor stores pre-opening and had to be pried away. Deals range from five-figure designer gowns marked down that will make high rollers swoon to more modest stuff for the rest of us. Here's a sneak peek inside just a few of the stores.
NEIMAN MARCUS LAST CALL
Details: Whoo-hoo, Long Island's first Neiman Marcus of any kind and only the second Neiman Marcus Last Call store in New York State. Here, find 31,500 square feet of apparel and accessories for men, women and children as well as plush toys, home décor, gifts and luggage. More than half of the clothes come from 40 Neiman Marcus stores nationwide, catalogs, website and Bergdorf Goodman stores. The other half is purchased from the same vendors carried at the mainline stores.
The Deals: 30%-75% off original prices and man-oh-man, they've got the goods.
We want: The perfect designer black dress (was $1875, now $562), and a short black jacket lined in red featuring ruffles at the neck and wrists was $740, now $259, many designer shoes, a cute cardigan (our favorite brand) was $165, now $96 -- much of the jewelry (big designer…costume…was a few thousand, now $465)
Note: Be prepared to spend a lot of time here. Inventory of contemporary goods runs deep, but there are many top designer one-of-a-kinders, so while it's quite organized discount-store-style, you need to go through the racks, and trust us, it's worth it. The shoe department is loaded with designer deals.
SAKS OFF FIFTH
Details: The overall vibe is anything but discount store -- the place is, instead, a modern loft, both airy and elegant, offering 30,000 square feet of beautifully displayed merchandise which includes accessories and clothing for men, women, and children. According to Saks Off 5th president, Robert Wallstrom, the inventory is, "a combination. A quarter of it is from our full-line stores and end of season merchandise, 75% comes from the market, 20% of this is private label." Find 5,000 pairs of women's shoes from 48 designer names, 20 different premium brand names for men's and women's denim, more than 2,000 premier designer men's suits, and 20 coveted designer brands of fine jewelry.
The Deals: At least 30% -70% off original prices. There's a decent selection of elite designer stuff, but in comparison, there's more contemporary – much of which we've seen at full price in stores recently. Famous, expensive top name designer denim is discounted at least 30% with huge inventory.
We want: Jeans, jeans and more jeans. Our daughter's favorite brand was $216, now $149, another big brand, $158, now $99. A frothy white coat shot with metallic thread with ruffled sleeves was $385, now $199, and a multi-color big name designer scarf was $220, now $99.
Note: The layout and display is conducive to easy, stress-free shopping and you can load up – you will want to -- on wardrobe staples here.
TOMMY HILFIGER
Details: It's Tommy-world with 10,000 square feet of men's, women's and children's apparel, as well as handbags, watches, belts, wallets, perfume, sunglasses, hats, socks, men's underwear and gloves. Most of the merchandise is specifically designed for the store including wovens, knits, t-shirts, sweaters, dresses, outerwear, pants, denim, skirt and shorts. Accessories come from specific licensees.
The Deals: Starting at 30-40% off retail.
Buy: This men's jacket will be available for $99.99, 30- 40% off retail.
KATE SPADE
Details: Lovers of the brand will delight in the 2,100 square foot emporium that offers handbags, small leather goods, jewelry, shoes, eyewear and some apparel. Inventory is a mixture of previous season styles from full price stores at deep discounts, and some of the best-selling core styles that have been specifically remade for the outlet.
The Deals: At least 30% off retail
Buy: M Street medium Oliver bag in black, was $395, now $275; Dot Noel medium Travis bag in chocolate, was $325, now $250.
If the lure of big bargains weren't enough, word is that some big names will be on hand to celebrate the opening weekend of Tanger in Deer Park starting Friday, though mall sources aren't talking about any of this.
Celebs, music and more
We hear "American Idol" Jordin Sparks will sign autographs at 4 p.m. Friday, while bands Cheap Trick, the Gin Blossoms, Southside Johnny and LI rocker act The Nancy Atlas Project will perform.
The new Regal Cinemas Deer Park Stadium 16 & IMAX holds a special preview Thursday (admission, $2) that benefits Newsday's Help-a-Family charity. And from Friday's grand opening until Oct. 30, free popcorn and a soft drink come with each paid admission. Plus the first 100 tickets sold this weekend come with a free "High School Musical 3" tee - so you can watch and wear.
