My heart pitter-pattered when I read the headline earlier this month: "Developers are planning outlet mall west of city.” Factory outlet stores just a couple miles from where I live? Thrilling, if not financially dangerous.
Real estate editor Richard Mize wrote about developers who are working to build an outlet mall named Oklahoma Factory Shoppes east of Council Road and Reno Avenue.
I asked MyNewsOK users if they thought we need an outlet mall. Here's what some of them had to say:
Deanna Leeds of Oklahoma City: "Oklahoma City definitely needs a major outlet mall. I take my teenage daughters out of state at least once per year to shop at outlets, and we usually plan our vacation destinations based on the location of outlets as well. Let's keep our money in Oklahoma and build outlet malls here.”
Jan Gradyof Norman: "It would be wonderful. I particularly love the outlet malls in Branson. They have some amazing stores there that we do not have here and the prices are fantastic. I almost blew my whole vacation budget because I found such good deals.”
Brett Simpsonof Oklahoma City: "Malls are commercial dinosaurs. You can get anything you want from the Internet.”
Deann Lewisof Oklahoma City: "I was very disappointed in the Gainesville mall. I do like shopping at outlet stores but not sure if the mall concept is best. I've read recently that smaller, more easily accessed strip malls seem to be the wave of the future.”
Michael Grableof Yukon: "I would welcome an outlet mall but only if it is a good one. Lately the ones I've visited have more empty space than occupied space, which makes the whole concept a joke. If we build a good one with a good selection of outlets, we can draw people from all over. I say go for it.”
Rosemary Wileyof Oklahoma City: "I love some of the good outlet malls, those with designer name products and prices less than the retail stores. My vote would be to put one in Bricktown or at least in midtown where so much redevelopment appears to be happening. All these people moving back downtown in the condos and apartments would surely welcome at least some strip outlet malls. I would.”
Cathy Batesof Oklahoma City: "I don't see why not. It would give competition to the expensive malls. It would draw people in from surrounding areas like the one in Grapevine, Texas.”
Karrie Dennisof Edmond: "I think it is a wonderful idea. We need more quality retail establishments in Oklahoma. This might keep some of us from heading to other states or shopping online due to lack of shopping here. Keep our tax revenues here and patronize the local shops.”
Suzan Hartgersof Oklahoma City: "I'm not much of a shopper so I'll stick with Target and the dollar stores.”
June Tateof Mustang: "There was once an outlet mall on Northwest Expressway around Rockwell. I miss it! I think we need an outlet mall.”