Outlet Collection at Niagara-new outlet mall opening May 15

Blog post about the May 15 opening:
http://smartcanucks.ca/niagara-outle...pens-may-15th/

There's a little bit about opening day at the end of the article:

http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-...w-outlet-mall/

Another car trip destination-no local transit options. Motor coach trips have to register with the mall.

I looked at the mall's website http://outletcollectionatniagara.com...ction-newsfeed
and am most excited about Chico's outlet-please bring over your good pieces not the drab ones (ahem, like Restoration Hardware did for its outlet store by not bringing in the stunning Greek Key towelling)! The closest Chico's store in NY state is in Syracuse.

J.Crew-hey, another chance to stock up on socks. :cheesygrin:

The Michael Kors outlet could appeal to shoppers who otherwise go to Mapleview Centre's regular MK store.

Which stores are most exciting for you in this lineup?

Old Navy
Pandora
Zales
Lindt

Hamilton Spectator has an article in today's paper:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/44...-niagara-area/

St. Catharines Standard-note the comments remarking on bus service. I think the referenced bus location is for motor coaches or the shuttle from White Oaks?
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2...-new-mega-mall

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2...e-outlet-malls

I hope the food court experience is better than at Toronto Premium Outlets: would like to have some sound-absorbing baffles or art, and less lineups.

Wood laminate flooring-will save staffs' legs from long shifts and help buffer sound. And help soften the click clack of heels.

The Globe and Mail article explains the car-trek destination design is intentional-the outlet mall owner has determined for those willing to drive to locations that won't affect full-retail mall sales, the drivers and their passengers are likely willing to spend more on their trip. The outlet mall is not aimed at cross-border shoppers.

Well, to that I say-when I went to the other big outlet mall, I got lunch and a pair of socks. The end.

Vaughan Mills Outlet is also owned by Ivanhoe-Cambridge. At least there is a high-season FREE shuttle service from downtown Toronto to THAT mall.

Found an April media release that says Chico's is one of the stores opening later in 2014 (but when??).
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/29/636...announces.html

Quote:

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Retailers to open later in 2014:

Bass Pro Shops Outpost*
Chico's Outlet*
Cole Haan
Kate Spade Outlet
Polo Ralph Lauren
RUD by Rudsak*
Starbucks
SURPLUS- Diesel Outlet

*First in Canada

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Who else is disappointed that all of the stores won't be ready? Guess there is no May road trip before the long weekend.

Checked the Twitter account and hey, there WILL be public transit service to the Outlet Collection!
https://twitter.com/OCniagara?origin...58050670022656

Way to go!:smartass::flowers:

Have to add that the transit service mentioned in the post above is for anyone travelling from Old Town in Niagara-on-the-Lake! Still no mention of St. Catharines' transit offering service-their website mentions no bus service when Brock University and Niagara College are not having classes.

Noticed another hotel shuttle run (first one is offered by White Oaks nearby) from the area-four Niagara hotels will have a shuttle (sponsored by Tommy Hilfiger) during four long weekends to the mall. ID bracelets required. http://outletcollectionniagara.com/p...tion-concierge

Hours-today the mall site says it's closed. Is it correct that Tues & Wed, the Outlet Collection will be closed? Or do the hours just reflect this week's hours?http://outletcollectionniagara.com/hours
Maybe staff will be pleased to have midweek to do their other stuff if they have to work weekends regularly but getting time off on weekends might be very hard socially (if there's a wedding to attend).

Read the Facebook page. Some photos of grand opening activities are posted.
Two posts caught my attention-someone asked about local transit service to the mall (in caption with one of the photos of the green packages). Another person posted that there were turn-aways from the parking lot before 10am. Really? Where did the staff and dignitaries get to park?

Falls was lit teal in honour of the mall opening too (May 14-sorry thought it was May 15).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ciel

Read the Facebook page. Some photos of grand opening activities are posted.
Two posts caught my attention-someone asked about local transit service to the mall (in caption with one of the photos of the green packages). Another person posted that there were turn-aways from the parking lot before 10am. Really? Where did the staff and dignitaries get to park?

Falls will be lit teal in honour of the mall opening too.

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There's GO transit service going to Niagara every weekend.
Nice if GO Transit is near this new mall.
Nice that we don't have to cross the border for some dealios.

Thanks ShwaGirl for tipping me off that the GO service is on this weekend, prior to late June-Sept service. WEGO service not operating on May 16

Quote:

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WEGO Connections to Niagara Falls GO Station

When you arrive in Niagara Falls, hop on WEGO - a specially-designed service to connect visitors to popular Niagara Falls tourist attractions. The WEGO bus often connects to the GO Train at the Niagara station and takes you right to the Falls. While most WEGO buses are scheduled to meet our trains, please see below for some exclusions.

May 16 and October 10
No scheduled WEGO connections

May 17-19 and Oct 11-13
No scheduled WEGO connection for:
8:30 a.m. eastbound GO Train from Niagara Falls to Union *Also includes full (June – September) summer season
8:10 p.m. westbound GO Train from Union to Niagara Falls (10:14 p.m. arrival in Niagara Falls)
10:30 p.m. eastbound GO Train from Niagara Falls to Union
WEGO connections are available for all other GO Train trips

For more information on WEGO, visit wegoniagarafalls.com.

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to GO Station St Catharines.
http://gotransit.com/public/en/travelling/niagara.aspx
Otherwise, St. Catharines Transit is not serving the Outlet Collection site. There is a summer service to Niagara College (Weekdays) but no mention of mall on the schedule.
Local/area hotels have already seen the appeal of the mall.
Niagara on the Lake shuttle service ($3 one-way fare applies) to Outlet mall does not go to the GO Station-that will be frustrating to GO Transit commuters!https://notl.civicweb.net/Documents/...y.aspx?Id=5013

Go fish! Bass Pro Shop is opening in the fall, so you may as well do your outdoor activities for spring/summer then return for its opening. Or go to Vaughan Mills.

My first trip to Outlet Collection is likely to happen in early summer. Patience...

Still no e-mail blasts from the new mall and I've put in my e-mail address 2-3 times. Has anyone who signed up received any coupons or promotional offers through e-mail yet?

These outlets are no different than the Premium outlets that opened in Toronto, which I visited once and probably will never visit again. Actually, those were probably better.
The stores at the new Niagara outlets that are they claiming are American, or are new and different...AREN'T
Ulta, an American store, which I was very excited about, IS NOT ULTA. It has the name ULTA, but it is just Trade Secrets, and I am not exaggerating or drawing a comparison, it IS TRADE SECRETS with the name ULTA on the outside.
Same situation with another store they are claiming is new...Think Kitchen?...IT IS STOKES, and i don't mean it is LIKE Stokes, I mean IT IS STOKES with a different name on it.

I prefer to shop at the outlet stores in Oakville, just off the highway. I find better deals, and way less people.

My first e-mail from the OC Niagara entity was this week asking me to confirm to continue receiving e-mails from them as anti-spam legislation takes effect July 1. I said Yes but have not received any promotional content since then.
Aside from Chico's, i want to visit J. Crew and the outlet version of White House Black Market. And take a peek at the wine shop and Chamber of Commerce storefront.

OC's food court seems to be in a separate building per map on website. How did you find the crowds/table availability/noise levels? I could not stand the setup of the food court at Toronto Premium Outlets and the noise levels had nothing to buffer them>din.

This week, OC Niagara's Twitter retweeted Niagara Regional Transit's post about offering service to the outlet mall as of July 2! https://twitter.com/NRTransit/status/478889089903890434
Schedule: http://www.niagararegion.ca/transit/...fective+July+2

BTW, I happened to visit Mapleview Centre's webpage-in the jobs section are listings for Chico's and White House Black Market (both are opening soon). Not sure the GTA can support Yorkdale, Square One and Mapleview Centre stores plus the outlet store coming in the fall...

I happened to be visiting Square One's website and found out Chico's will be opening a site there. Just read the Chicos.com Careers section for Burlington jobs. Anyone aspiring to be an assistant manager or manager is expected to have a Canadian passport and travel to the US on a periodic basis. Hmm, does the chain cover travel expenses?

Quote:

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14. Can meet requirements for regular on-the-job attendance to ensure appropriate management coverage. The Store Manager must be present and punctual for all assigned schedules.
15. Must possess a valid Canadian Passport and be able to travel to the U.S.A. on a periodic basis.

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http://jobs.chicos.com/ca/burlington...ew-centre-jobs