The early morning fog was thick, but a steady stream of vehicles turned into the entrance as the sun was rising at Tampa Premium Outlets.
There were plenty of police and mall security on hand to guide cars, as they pulled into the mall’s massive parking lots.
Cars were arriving two hours or more before the shopping destination opened its doors to shoppers on Oct. 29 at 10 a.m.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)
Even those who came to see the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which took place 20 minutes before official opening, found that cars were nestled close to the entrance long before any speeches began.
By the looks of the cars, the opening attracted a diverse group. Sports cars and SUVs shared the lot with pickup trucks and foreign compacts. Luxury vehicles were parked next to simple economy cars. Some looked brand new; others, a bit past their prime. A little rust here, a new paintjob there, and child-of-the-month bumper stickers were all part of the parking lot decor on opening day.
Before long, good spaces were at a premium.
As the mall officially opened, drivers continued making the slow crawl toward empty lots, which filled quickly. Less than an hour after the mall opened, valet parking was full, and cars were directed to an overflow lot.
From the outset, the outdoor mall was ready for the crowds.
Police were directing traffic trying to get to the entrance, which competed with the typical morning rush on State Road 56 on a limited-visibility morning. But, there were no delays or gridlock on the roads surrounding the mall. Overall it was a smooth experience, and didn’t get in the way of what people came to see.
Despite the music and fanfare, the biggest draw was the stores.
Nearly stores were open, and they were well staffed, and ready to welcome patrons into their stores.
Some drew plenty of interest, while foot traffic was more modest at others.
People lined up at Coach, waiting to get in.
Overall, it wasn’t a mad rush of determined bargain hunters like you might find on Black Friday. Instead, it was an interested, patient group, appreciating the spectacle and celebration of a new venue, and taking the time to appreciate the details while they surveyed their new shopping options.
The outdoor areas were at least as busy as the shops themselves. Visitors took photos by the mall’s elaborate fountains. They relaxed on benches and chairs. Or, they strolled throughout the mall, getting a feel for the lay of the land.
They did plenty of shopping, too.
Those scoring opening-day deals became walking billboards for stores like Disney Store Outlet and Under Armour, carrying bags that advertised their morning haul.
Published November 4, 2015
