The Shops at Grand River outlet store list grows

Outlet shopping destination on schedule to open in October

The list of shops anticipated to join the Shops of Grand River continues to grow as the outlet center nears its opening date in October.

Officials with Daniel Corporation, which is developing the retail center, said the Shops at Grand River is in excess of 80 percent filled, with additional tenants continuing to express interest.

The latest group of retail businesses joining the center include: Talbots, Chico’s, Jos. A. Bank, Guess, Jockey, Black & Decker, Corning, Dress Barn, Maurices, Sterling Jewelers, and Gold Toe

Doug Neil, vice-president of Daniel Corporation said the shopping center is attracting interest from retailers due primarily to its location.

“We have had tremendous retail names express interest in becoming tenants. With a metro-area population of over 1.1 million and virtually no outlet shopping available, they see it as filling a void in the marketplace,” Neil said. “The tenants are very aware of the lack of competition.”

The shops are scheduled to open with a four-day grand opening event beginning on Thursday, October 28. Neil said there will be a variety of activities associated with the grand opening.

The shops will be bringing approximately 650 full-time equivalent jobs once the development is completed, according to Neil. There is expected to be a job fair related to the development at some point in September.

Other retail businesses already slated to open at Grand River are: Aéropostale, Banana Republic Factory Store, Bass - GH Bass & Co., Bon Worth, Book Warehouse, Brooks Brothers, Carter’s Babies and Kids, The Children’s Place, Easy Spirit, Factory Brand Shoes, Fragrance Outlet, Gap Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, Izod, Jones New York Outlet, Kasper Outlet, Lane Bryant Outlet, Hanesbrands, LIDS, Naturalizer Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Nine West Outlet, Oshkosh B'gosh, Polo Ralph Lauren, Factory Store, rue21, Skechers, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, Uniform Outlet, Van Heusen, VF Outlet, and Wilsons Leather Outlet.

With the grand opening for the Shops at Grand River just over two months away, Neil said the excitement over Grand River is at an all-time high.

“We are staying very busy,” he said. “We are turning over tenant spaces as I speak. This is a great opportunity for Leeds.”

SOURCE: The Leeds News by Robert Blankenship