I wasn’t going to post today as we are officially on a summer posting schedule, but I thought I’d let people know what stores to expect at the Toronto Premium Outlets (yes, Premium Outlets as in Woodbury Common Premium Outlets), opening August 1 in Halton Hills, Ontario, right in time for the Civic Holiday/Simcoe Day long weekend. The first phase will include over 90 stores, including:
Kate Spade New York outlet: Sure, there’s a “regular” store at Yorkdale, and soon, one will open in Yorkville, but anyone looking for Kate Spade items at a lower price (or interested in going on a Kate Spade “spree” – LOL) would be one happy camper.
Ports 1961: Many Torontonians were saddened when the boutique in Yorkville shuttered earlier this year (it became Stuart Weitzman rather quickly), but will be happy to know that an outlet will be opening just a short drive away. While the pieces can be pricey, they are classics – staples in one’s closet season after season.
Screenshot of the Toronto Premium Outlets homepage
J.Crew: For some reason, the email I received said that it was the first outlet store in Canada. However, this is incorrect if it, like all other J.Crew stores at Premium Outlet malls, is branded under J.Crew’s “Factory” line. The first J.Crew Factory store in Ontario is actually at Vaughan Mills. In fact, this will actually be the third Factory store, as there is another one in Alberta. Of course, the store could be opening under a different brand – maybe an actual outlet-outlet?
Hudson’s Bay Outlet: It’s the only department store/anchor store announced so far. I’m actually not too sure what to expect – will shoppers see items from designers The Room and White Space, or will it just be basic Bay items? I’m hoping for the former.
Burberry: Though it is part of the so-called “first phase,” it will actually not open until December. This actually has me wondering whether they’ll even see many shoppers until 2014. It is an outdoor mall, after all!
Other stores include DKNY, Eddie Bauer (opening in October), Cole Haan, Banana Republic Factory, Ted Baker, Vince Camuto and Brooks Brothers Factory. I was actually surprised at the stores that DIDN’T make the list. Though I wasn’t expecting a Woodbury Commons-style listing, I was hoping to see Theory, Tory Burch, BCBG and, of course, hr2. Oh well, maybe in a later phase (which will hopefully include a Nordstrom, too). For a full list of stores, click here.
