Gloucester Premium Outlets Grand Opening Set for Thursday

The Gloucester Premium Outlets open Thursday, and no decision has been made concerning abatements as of Monday night.

Gloucester Township Republican Party Chairman Ray Polidoro raised the issue during the public comment portion of the council meeting at the municipal complex. Polidoro questioned why council hasn’t mentioned a five-year abatement Simon Property Group was applying for.

Business Administrator Tom Cardiss said Simon would file for an abatement through the Tax Assessor’s Office before it would reach council. Council President Glenn Bianchini said council has not been approached concerning an abatement.

Council previously said it would consider an abatement for the outlets.

There is no time limit on filing for a tax abatement, officials said Monday night.

The grand opening takes place Thursday, 9:30 a.m., and will last through the weekend.

They begin with a ribbon cutting that will include comments from Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer, Rep. Donald Norcross and representatives from Simon.

There will be a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Thursday night. Fireworks will be set off on an empty parcel next to the outlets on the same side of Route 42.

On Saturday, Bethenny Frankel, of the “Real Housewives of New York” reality show, will participate in “fashion focused” activities from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Outlets.

Council members and members of the public said they were excited for the opening of the outlets. Resident Robert Kolakowski said he hopes the center can help rejuvenate the Black Horse Pike corridor, down to Blackwood West.

“I was at a funeral and I had three people come up to me and tell me how excited they were about the outlets,” Council President Glenn Bianchini said.

“I was at a bank in Woodbury and the teller told me she was taking the day off to come to the grand opening,” Councilman Dan Hutchison said.

On Wednesday, police advised residents to expect an increase in traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular, in the area of College Drive and the Black Horse Pike throughout the weekend. Attendees are asked to park in designated areas and not along the roadways and shoulders surrounding the outlets. Those who do risk being ticketed and having their car towed.

Over flow parking will be available at Camden County College in Lots 1, 3 and 4.

Police Officers are assigned to the event and will be monitoring the area for any issues and/or problems.

The complete list of stores that will have a home at the outlets includes: Adidas, Armani Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, Columbia Sportswear, Gap Factory Store, Lucky Brand, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, A/X Armani Exchange, Aldo, Bebe, Carter’s, Express Factory Outlet, Guess Factory Store, Hanesbrands, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Levi’s Outlet Store, Lindt Chocolate, Nautica, OshKosh B’Gosh, Seiko Company Store, Steve Madden, Zales Outlet, Asics, Clarks Outlet, Eddie Bauer Outlet, Francesca’s, G.H. Bass & Co., Gymboree Outlet, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Lane Bryant Outlet, Mountain Warehouse, Nike Factory Store, Sperry Top-Sider, Sunglass Hut, The Limited Outlet, Vera Bradley, Christopher & Banks; Converse; Corningware, Cornell & More; Famous Footwear; Fossil; Haggar; Hartstrings; Jockey; Jos. A. Bank; Lids; Merrell; New York & Company; Old Navy; Perfumania; Perfumes 4 U; Rack Room Shoes; Reebok; Robert Wayne Footwear; Samsonite; Skechers; Starbucks; The Uniform Outlet; Van Heusen; Watch Station International; Wilsons Leather; and Yankee Candle.

Additional center amenities will include a Market Hall with multiple dining options, an outdoor lounge area, lush landscaping and significant green space to host community events such as musical performances, charity events and children’s activities.

The 376,000 square foot shopping center will be located at the intersection of Robert Kelly Drive and Premium Outlets Drive in the Blackwood section of the township.