Tanger Outlets mall opens in Kanata

OTTAWA – A massive, American-style outlet mall has opened in Kanata and it attracted so many shoppers, part of the Queensway turned into a parking lot.

The long-awaited Tanger Outlets opened to the public at 9:30 a.m., with more than 75 designer stores. The mall complex spans 350,000 square feet and also features restaurants and a hotel.

The shopping complex, off Palladium Drive, includes Michael Kors, Guess, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Calvin Klein and Nike.

The parking lot also includes 2,000 free parking spots.

“For your day-to-day experience, I think people can first and foremost expect, (like) really a beautiful and stunning shopping centre,” said Tanger Outlet Manager Eric Topolnisky. “When you step foot into the centre, into the galleries, you’ll see there’s tons of  beautiful architectural features.”

The grand opening featured more than shopping; there were giveaways, music, fireworks and even an outdoor skating rink.

Mayor Jim Watson was on-hand for the ribbon-cutting, which had to be delayed. The mayor was caught up in the traffic jams around the new mall, and arrived about 15 minutes late.

“You’re a victim of your own success,” Watson quipped to mall officials after he arrived.

At one point, the traffic backups on the westbound lanes of Highway 417 stretched almost to Moodie Drive. Some callers to the 1310Newsroom described the traffic as what one would see during the weekday evening rush.

Ottawa Police were in the mall’s parking lot, directing traffic.