As J.Crew continues its expansion here in the Great White North, the Toronto Star reports that the first Factory Store will be opening its doors at Vaughan Mills in October (I suppose another one will be at the Halton Premium Outlets in 2013). J.Crew’s Factory Store, like its competition, offer pieces that are at lower price points, with mostly pieces that are more casual and weekend-friendly. This is NOT an outlet store where items from previous seasons are sold at a reduced price. Factory stores are an entirely different species.

There are those who say that factory stores confuse people – many believe that “factory” is just another word for “outlet” and thus, are actually buying “real” items that were previously sold at the “regular” stores rather than something that was produced specifically for that store. So yes, this is a buyer beware situation.  I’ve had both good and bad experiences with factory stores.  A tweed dress I got from a Banana Republic store (or rather, had someone buy on my behalf) in the winter of 2011 was worn several times in 2012, but there are pieces that are throwaways fairly quickly, especially summer items that are fairly thin.  Though I expect price jumps here in Canada, I’m still looking forward to the opening.   Vaughan Mills is just a stone’s throw from Canada’s Wonderland.  My husband, who is a fan of amusement parks can go there, while I go to Vaughan Mills.

Will you be shopping at this store when it opens? What are your thoughts? Too many cheap stores coming to town?