With 47 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline and a balmy take on winter, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach have become synonymous with vacation. It’s no wonder that the area welcomes more than 5 million visitors each year (not counting approximately 150,000 second-home owners who come down to escape chilly northern climes).
Shopping has long been a mainstay of Palm Beach’s appeal. This February, a new venue for marathon retail activity opened: Palm Beach Outlets.
Palm Beach Outlets: A Much-Anticipated Shopping Destination
Palm Beach Outlets
Between them, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach host no fewer than 12 shopping districts – some patterned after Italian piazzas, others boasting collections of top designers that will put most credit cards in state of sticker shock. Why is Palm Beach Outlets’ appearance making a stir? Because it’s the only outlet shopping venue in Palm Beach County, and the only outlet mall within a 55-mile radius. At 450,000 square feet, it’s also Florida’s second-largest shopping mall.
Traditionally, Palm Beach has been the preferred destination for upscale vacationers (and shoppers as well). However, the economy’s ongoing struggles have made getting a bargain on name-brand goods something of a new American pastime. The planning that went into Palm Beach Outlets simply underscores this fact.
What to Expect at the Outlets
Palm Beach Outlets
The Palm Beach Outlets’ grand opening (held Valentine’s Day weekend and featuring a celebrity-style fashion show hosted by Mario Lopez) was received with enthusiasm. Although some parts of the mall have not yet been fully leased, many new tenants, especially around the food court, have committed to joining the shops and eateries already present. Current and future stores include:
Food/Dining: Lindt Chocolate Shop, Kitchen Collection, Le Creuset, Auntie Anne’s & Cinnabon Cafe (coming soon), BJ’s Brewhouse & Restaurant (coming soon), Chicken Now (coming soon), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (coming soon), Häagen Dazs, Sbarro, Subway, Tobu’ Oriental Eatery.
Designer Outlets and Brand Name Factory Stores: Ann Taylor Factory Store, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic Factory Store, Calvin Klein, DKNY, GAP Factory Store, GUESS Factory Store, J.Crew | crewcuts Factory, Jones New York, Jos. A. Bank Factory Store, Kenneth Cole, LOFT Outlet Store, New York & Co. Outlet, Nine West Outlet, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Steve Madden, Talbots, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, White House | Black Market.
Shoes and Accessories: ASICS, Clarks Outlet, Cole Haan, Nike Factory Store, Reebok and Rockport Outlet, Wilsons Leather Outlet, CROCS.
Kids: Carter’s®, The Children’s Place Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, OshKosh B’gosh, Toys“R”Us.
Specialty and More: Crabtree & Evelyn Outlet, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Under Armour Factory House, Yankee Candle.
In total, more than 100 brands can be found at Palm Beach Outlets, and there are plans to build an additional 200,000 square feet of retail space, to be anchored by a Whole Foods Market and Nordstrom Rack.
Certainly all these shopping options tend to hold the attention of all visitors. But the first thing most groups will notice is the ambiance of Palm Beach Outlets. With hundreds of trees and shrubs and many lit shade canopies, the exterior evokes a green, Florida park-like feel. And this green theme is carried on within the building, as covered breezeways, LED lighting and low-e glass emphasize eco-friendly principles.
Getting to Palm Beach Outlets
Palm Beach Outlets
No matter where your group is coming from, Palm Beach Outlets is conveniently located within sight of Interstate 95. It’s just five miles from Palm Beach International Airport, which is served by Delta, AirTran, JetBlue, American Airlines, Southwest, Spirit, United, US Airways, Air Canada and several smaller airlines.
And then there’s the ample choice of lodgings in the Palm Beach area. Whether your group needs the two-star budget-friendly comfort of a chain hotel or the luxurious exclusivity of a five-star boutique hotel, there will be multiple places to cater to their needs. Historic hotels, independent inns and bed-and-breakfasts, and vacation rentals round out the group travel lodging options.
Palm Beach likes to be known as Florida’s Cultural Capital, and the variety of museums, performing arts venues, and historical sites at least give it a fair bid. But it will always remain one of the most popular wintertime getaway destinations for groups of all sizes. As its newest attraction, Palm Beach Outlets will give guests one more way to enjoy themselves in sunny Florida.
Special Group Travel Information
The staff at Palm Beach Outlets can help you make your groups’ trip into a special event by offering a coupon book full of valuable discounts at selected retailers. Please give the office at least 48 hours’ notice for all group travel requests.
