Prime Outlets St. Augustine
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/474983965_3HjCX-M.jpg)
A walk through the newly renovated and expanded Prime Outlets - St. Augustine.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/1022
Not that it matters, but do they still have those signs on the doors forbidding photography inside? That always struck me as odd for an outlet mall.
Quote from: RWNeal on February 26, 2009, 08:26:27 AM
Not that it matters, but do they still have those signs on the doors forbidding photography inside? That always struck me as odd for an outlet mall.
I haven't been yet but I always thought that was weird too.
I don't think so, but I may not have been paying attention.
Wish this was in JAX, but glad we at least have some of these high end stores nearby now. Went to this not long after it opened and gots me some pimp Gucci shoes. The Off Fifth had some good stuff too.
Thank God its not in Jax! A lot of those store names are on my monthly credit card bills thanks to the Ms. She "commutes" there regularly where she swears she is "saving" us lots of money. Any closer to us and I couldn't afford the greater abundance of "savings" derived from even more visits. I know we are not saving anything like my savings plan which is don't buy anything and save 100%! 8)
For those not familiar, there is an equally large outlet mall, St. Augustine Premium Outlet Mall, on the opposite side of I-95 that rivals the Prime Mall for shopping opportunities. Double your pleasure!
Aside from the effort to create a "walkable" experience, complete with urban space greenery, this development isn't the sort I expect to find featured here. It's a totally artificial environment on poor land off a major highway. An interesting photo essay, as one always expects from MetroJAX, but surely it would be more relevant to feature renovations to in-town urban shopping centers? For example, the choice several years back to "dis-enclose" the dying Roosevelt Mall at US17 and San Juan has created a well-utilized Publix-centric shopping area that still manages to support a Belks outpost. Honestly, I fear these highway-dependant "destination" malls might be in for a rude awakening in the present economy . . .
We mix it up from time to time, considering Jacksonville is a spawlburg. Highlighting different areas of the community helps to expand the readership base and expose more to sustainable living and walkable environments. However, the site is definitely urban oriented and that will continue to remain the dominant focus.
Quote from: copperfiend on February 26, 2009, 08:48:40 AM
Quote from: RWNeal on February 26, 2009, 08:26:27 AM
Not that it matters, but do they still have those signs on the doors forbidding photography inside? That always struck me as odd for an outlet mall.
I haven't been yet but I always thought that was weird too.
Did they mean no photography inside the stores? THAT I could understand...
I like the Hugo Boss outlet.
Here is an article from today's Business Journal.
It looks like the center is doing a good job at landing more prominent retailers.
I personally still prefer the open air outlet across the street. It has more of the retailers I like and it is easier to get the stores you like without having to walk through a dim mall.
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/02/23/daily40.html
Six new retailers are scheduled to open at Prime Outletsâ€"St. Augustine this spring.
-Coldwater Creek a women’s apparel, gifts, jewelry and accessories store, is scheduled to open a 6,500-square-foot store in April.
-Donney & Bourke, a designer handbags and small leather goods store, is scheduled to open a 3,000-square-foot store in April.
-Escada, a designer women’s fashions and accessories store, is scheduled to open a 2,500-square-foot store in May.
-Talbots, which sells women’s apparel, shoes and accessories, is scheduled to open a 2,600-square-foot store in May.
-Beard Papas, a bakery, is scheduled to open an 800-square-foot store in late spring.
-And Nature’s Table, a restaurant serving fresh soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps, is also scheduled to open in late spring.
The new retailers join more than 75 stores already operating at the recently renovated and expanded 40,000-square-foot outlet center on State Road 16 in St. Augustine. The newest store, the 4,600-square-foot women’s contemporary clothing and accessories store 2b bebe, opened Feb. 5.
“We are committed to providing a comprehensive shopping experience and are in sync with consumers’ desire for designer and name-brands at everyday savings up to 65 percent,†said Prime Outletsâ€"St. Augustine Marketing Manager Joanna Caputi.
Baltimore-based Prime Retail operates 21 Prime Outlet centers around the nation that total more than 8.2 million square feet.
Beard Papa's is an interesting concept - they specialize in cream puffs & have some prime locations worldwide.
the outside section is the lure... the inside is the crap... seriously "lipstick on a pig" ring any bells? really really expensive high-end lipstick...
That was my impression as well. The inside is even more run down than before.
However, over Christmas, I talked to a couple of people at the stores that were closing down (like Timberland and Lennox). The staff said that rent was being increased by 300%!! So obviously, the owners are attempting to make the inside much more upscale as well, but there will have to be a lot of turnover before that happens.
Simon Properties is buying -
http://jacksonville.com/business/2009-12-08/story/simon_property_buying_prime_outlets
Damn, $2.3 billion?!
Yah, the interior of this outlet mall is really quite dark and depressing and lacks most good retail . For the exception of a few good stores on the outside, I try to avoid the center if I can. They landed some pretty good tenants in the new phase, but it almost looks like they forgot about the rest of the center. Hopefully Simon may be able to help turn it around a bit more.
Man, didn't see that one comming. I didn't know that Simon already owned the "old" outlet mall.
From what I've seen, the Prime Outlet has been doing some descent buisness. I wonder if Prime as a whole was starting to go under?
$2.3 Billion seems like way too much. Is that right?
That's for the entire Prime Outlets corporation, not just for the St. Aug mall.
I think $2.3 billion was for the entire chain which is I believe 22 outlets., so it comes out to $100 million per mall, which at a 10% rate of return means that each mall would need to net $10 million in rent. Not easy to do in the current environment, but again, not too far fetched either. Each mall probably has at least 50-100 stores on average, so the deal seems pretty fair.
SJC residents will tell you that they love shopping at both the Prime and Premier Outlets, almost within walking distance of each other. Beats having to deal with the long haul to the SJTC for decent stores. I suspect that those who don't have anything good to say about the Outlets, just wish it was in their own background.
Ok, I thought it was for just one property. That makes more sense.
So, should we expect an overall better experience/selection with Simon, or, no noticeable difference? I suppose that outlet malls have always been sort of bland or generic - almost clinical. You know what to expect, but Prime could have done much more with the inside portion of the mall - especially considering the "facade" that was created with the newer tenants like Saks & Gucci. It was really disappointing to walk inside just to find newly stained carpet and humming lights. There were a few more decent shops, but they were mixed in with a granny-panty outlet store, NASCAR & wolf clothing, & surplus tools. Given that, the existing Simon property across I-95 isn't exactly awe-inspiring. But I'm optimistic.
Prime has an outlet center in Orlando that is great. They basically gutted the interior halls and replaced them with large outdoor covered walkways. The center is huge and very bright and vibrant. I hope Simon decides to expand on this design. Prime Outlets didi a nice job on the outside of the St. Augustine mall. Let's hope some decides to bring the rest of the mall up to par with the front.