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 It was a blue-ribbon day – make that, a magenta ribbon day – in Limerick on Thursday as the new Philadelphia Premium Outlets opened its doors to the public. Under cloudy skies on the chilliest morning yet this fall, representatives of the outlet center and local government officials cut the magenta ribbon shortly before 10 a.m.
As the ribbon cutting ceremony proceeded in the center court, early shoppers began gathering outside the doors of the new stores. Minutes after the oversize scissors did their work, those doors began to open and the eager customers fulfilled the quip of Philadelphia Premium Outlets general manager Chris Speca: “Let the shopping begin!”
Before the ceremony began at 9:30 a.m., a crowd of local dignitaries, representatives of the business community and other invited guests milled around the central court of the 425,000-square-foot center. The open-air mall featured partially-covered walkways and a central “protected wetlands” area, with the shops opening onto the interior walks.
The outlet center was developed by Chelsea Property Group, Roseland, N.J., a wholly-owned division of Simon Property Group. Chelsea wholly or partially owns 50 Premium Outlets and other shopping centers in 27 states, Japan, South Korea and Mexico.
While waiting for the ceremony, Renee Chesler, executive director of the Limerick Economic Development Council and a Limerick Township Supervisor, remarked, “We’re excited and thrilled from an economic development perspective. It’s going to an anchor for economic development in the Limerick area.”
Paul Tornetta noted that Providence Properties owned the 78-acre property and worked closely with Limerick Township in order to change the zoning and bring utilities to the site. “That vision culminated in attracting retailers like Chelsea,” he said. Describing the township’s efforts in bringing sewers to the area, Tornetta commented, “The accolades go to Limerick Township.”
Tornetta added that Providence Properties still owns and is brokering close to 200 acres immediately surrounding the development. Two pieces are under agreement with an area developer, he said.
Michele Rothstein, senior vice president of marketing for Chelsea Property Group, said, “It’s a big day for us. We’re excited.” She explained that groundbreaking for the new center took place about a year ago. The construction took a year, and working with the township to gain all necessary approvals took about a year before that.
“It’s nice to find a location that really fits all our criteria,” Rothstein said, listing a wide population base, tourism component, visibility and accessibility among those criteria.
Tim Canfield, of the Limerick Economic Development Council and also president of the Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce, said, “We’re thrilled to have the outlet center here in Limerick. We’re excited about the jobs it’s creating and the new visitors it will attract to our wonderful community.”
Welcoming the assembled guests to the ribbon-cutting ceremony – and urging them to sit closer to the stage where large propane heaters offered some warmth – Speca enthused, “Today’s going to be a significant start to a great shopping center.”
“We finally made it!” exclaimed Danielle DeVita, senior director of development for Chelsea Property Group. Describing the process of working with township officials, she remarked, “They were tough,” noting that the officials wanted to be sure the outlet center would be the best thing for the township. “It took a lot of trust on their part,” she added.
According to DeVita, the outlet center will provide hundreds of jobs and bring in $1.2 million in real estate taxes annually.
She thanked the township representatives “for your trust in us, your faith in us, that we would get this project to this point.” She added, “We at Chelsea-Simon are very, very proud of this (center), and we hope you are, too.”
As a news helicopter hovered overhead, John R. Klein, co-president of Chelsea Property Group, joked, “shoppers are coming by helicopter.” Later in his remarks, as he had to pause while a low-flying plane from nearby Limerick Airport went by, he waved his hand toward the plane and quipped, “More shoppers.”
Klein said a record number of stores were opening on Thursday, with 106 of the 120 stores ready for customers. In addition, the developer has already begun construction of phase two, with 30 more stores set to open in April. “It’s a first,” for Chelsea to begin construction of phase two even before phase one opened, he added.
Chelsea has invested $140 million in the Limerick center, Klein reported. “It’s a great environment that’s been created here,” he concluded.
Elaine DeWan, vice-chairman of the Limerick Township Supervisors, remarked, “This is a perfect day to be participating in this wonderful event.” Noting that just a year ago the property was empty ground, she said, “I’m amazed … It’s beautiful. It’s an asset to Limerick Township and the region.”
DeWan noted that the supervisors see growth as an opportunity for increased jobs, services and more. The board welcomes those who invest in Limerick. “This mall demonstrates that development and growth can be good for the community,” she said.
State Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146th, and State Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th, echoed DeWan’s sentiments, stressing the benefits of the new center not just for Limerick but for the surrounding region.
Among the center’s 120 stores are Neiman Marcus Last Call, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Ann Taylor, Guess, Brooks Brothers, Liz Claiborne, Nike, Reebok, Carter’s and Oshkosh B’Gosh. The food court offers a variety of tastes, including Arthur Teacher’s Fish & Chips, Nathan’s Famous, South Philly Steak & Fries, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen and Asian Chao. A full-service Ruby Tuesday will be opening soon.
Philadelphia Premium Outlets, off the Sanatoga exit of Route 422, is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extended holiday hours will begin with a midnight opening on Black Friday, Nov. 23.
For more information and a complete list of stores, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/philadelphia.
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