Outlet mall opens in Limerick

Heads up, local holiday shoppers . . .

It may be dubbed Philadelphia Premium Outlets, but the new outlet mall in Montgomery County actually sits on 78 acres in rural Limerick Township.

That means bargain hunters will have to travel west on the Schuylkill Expressway, then take Route 422 to the Sanatoga exit to visit the 120-store complex.

That's about 45 minutes by car if you're counting.

"It's pretty much something for everyone" said spokeswoman Michele Rothstein.

Neiman Marcus Last Call is the largest property on site. Rare high-end retailers such as Elie Tahari, Michael Kors and Kate Spade will also be represented. The Kate Spade outlet store will open Nov. 21.

"We're here to serve a pretty wide radius," Rothstein said.

"[Chelsea Property Group] felt that there was an unfilled niche in the market, and that there was a need for a more upscale shopping center [in this."

The complex opened at 10 a.m. today with crowds of people waiting at the doors of many of the stores. The parking lot was filled within an hour of opening, Rothstein said.

Chelsea already plans to expand the 120-store complex by spring, adding about 30 more stores to the complex. That will increase the price tag for the mall to about $140 million. About 1000 jobs will be created once the second face of construction is completed in the spring, Rothstein said.

Chelsea Property Group, a division of the Simon Property Group, also owns the Crossings Premium Outlets in Tannersville, Pa.

Bieber Tourways is offering three daily bus trips to Philadelphia Premium Outlets from the Greyhound Bus Terminal at 10th and Filbert Streets in Center City. Adult tickets are $25.