Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003 | 8:07 a.m.
Soft opening or not, I wanted to check out the long-awaited Las Vegas Premium Outlets, downtown at 875 S. Grand Central Pkwy. near the County Government Center.
I arrived at 9:30 a.m. (stores open at 10 a.m.) to find the sizeable parking lots were filled with construction trucks and a mob of workers. Gardeners, painters, electricians and other workmen were rushing to complete the exterior decor.
After making note of where I'd parked, I headed for the first entrance I saw and struck gold. Coach, Crabtree & Evelyn, A/X Armani Exchange, Lacoste/Izod, Liz Claiborne, St. John Company Store and Kenneth Cole were all within view.
At 9:50 a.m. an announcement was made that all construction personnel had to leave to make way for the shoppers. A rush of sweeping and tidying up was barely completed when a stream of shoppers started to arrive. What was surprising was the number of males who came alone to shop.
At 10 a.m. shoppers filled the plazas. My first stop was Crabtree & Evelyn, a small, charming boutique with window displays that beckoned. This venerable English chain has long been a favorite of mine.
There were many specials. Through Aug. 20 you can buy a lotion or bath gel and get another for half price. Mix and match as you please. Of course, there are a number of everyday specials throughout the store. Prices are reduced 30 to 70 percent.
I was especially taken with Hand Therapy Treatment, a divine cream that absorbs quickly and leaves skin soft with a satin-like finish. Store manager Angela Martin said Hand Therapy Treatment is the No. 1-selling product for Crabtree & Evelyn stores worldwide.
Although the grand opening is Friday through Sunday, there were many items on sale in stores already open. Chico's, Coach, Kenneth Cole, Liz Claiborne and Eddie Bauer were just a few.
A Sabrett hot dog cart was swamped with customers throughout the morning. All but a few of the concessions in the attractive food court will be open by the weekend.
A Makino sushi buffet will be at one end of the center (Suite 1301). It will not open until early October, but will have "'more sophisticated decor, and a terrific selection of sushi and Japanese foods," Makino rep Julie Kano said. Makino will be an 8,000-square-foot restaurant with an entrance from the adjacent parking lot as well as from the mall.
Las Vegas Premium Outlets is not an enclosed mall. It was hot and muggy on Friday, but I was going in and out of air-conditioned stores, so it was OK. It was relatively easy to find the shops I was interested in. It is, like other malls owned by Chelsea Premium Outlets, filled with a choice mix of shops and factory stores.
Stop by the information center or the food court on any of the opening days and purchase a shopping pass for $10 that will give you an additional 20 percent off any single item at any of the listed participating stores.
All of the money collected from the purchase of the pass will be divided among three Las Vegas nonprofit organizations that are "committed to improving the quality of life for all Las Vegans."
A $10,000 shopping spree is among the many prizes a lucky shopper can win during the grand opening. Wear comfortable shoes!
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