Columnist Muriel Stevens: Bumping shopping up a notch

Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | 8:17 a.m.

Get the charge cards ready. Las Vegas Premium Outlets is planning a grand opening Aug. 8. This high-end outlet center, downtown at 875 S. Grand Central Pkwy., will feature more than 120 designer and brand-name outlet stores which will offer substantial savings and a new level of outlet shopping.

Savvy shoppers will find such high-fashion names as Dolce & Gabbana, Coach, St. John, Armani, Guess, Kenneth Cole, Tahari, LaCoste, Theory, Ralph Lauren, Polo and many more.

Included in the mix is designer and brand name apparel for men, women and children. Shoes, leather goods, home furnishings and gift items will all be available, offering plum prices and an attractive shopping environment in a central location.

LVPO's food court will feature a Makino sushi buffet, Buffalo Southwest Cafe, Southwest Grill & Bar and many of the usual suspects, including Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Orange Julius, Dairy Queen, Subway and more.

Among the featured services are an information center offering merchant information, stroller and wheelchair rentals, foreign currency exchange and an ATM. Of course, there's much more.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Aug. 7, the day before the grand opening.

FAO Schwarz offers in-store entertainment: July is playtime month at FAO Schwarz: The Ultimate Toy Store, at the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Beginning this month at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily, kids and their families will be entertained with a variety of activities and be introduced to some new FAO Schwarz characters.

Princess Pretty playing dress-up and a zookeeper tending to jungles of the poshest plush animals ever seen are just some of the expanded activities at the Las Vegas store.

Interaction between children and FAO Schwarz characters has long been apart of the FAO Schwarz experience. The venerable kid-pleasing toy paradise has a long history -- more than 140 years.

The new characters and expanded schedule have been added to accommodate the number of families expected to travel this year. According to a recently released study from the Travel Industry Association, family trip numbers are projected to be 12 percent more than last year's.

Along with the resident zookeeper, Stu Beeper, there is game show host Blink Martinson and the ever-popular Toy Soldier. With its eye-popping Trojan Horse, toy displays and exclusive toy selection, FAO Schwarz has always been one my favorite stops. The game department is super, and so is the staff. They can answer any questions posed.

Call the store for additional information about the July programs at 796-6500.

Register for do-not-call: If you plan to register by phone for the free service that will curb calls from telemarketers, call only from the phone you want to be freed from the pesky calls, or you will have to call again. Do it right and it takes but a few minutes. I had to call twice because I did not call from home. Call (888) 382-1222.

Those registering on the web -- donotcall.gov will be walked through the process. It's quick and easy.