20 new stores named for Aurora outlet mall expansion
Chicago Premium Outlets has announced 20 of the shops that will be part of a major expansion to the Aurora mall expected to be complete by late August.
Sites for Robert Graham, which describes itself as an "eclectic American" clothing line, and Clarins, a luxury skin care shop, will be the first outlets for their brands in the Midwest, while other stores will offer discounts on name-brand clothing, outdoor goods, fragrances, dishes, luggage and footwear.
Shops announced so far for the expansion include Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet, American Eagle Outfitters, bebe, Columbia Sportswear, Corningware Corelle & More, Express Factory Outlet, Finish Line, Fragrance Outlet, The Limited Outlet, The Luggage Factory, Mountain Warehouse, Vans, Old Navy Outlet, Quicksilver, Tommy Hilfiger Kids, UGG Australia and Vince.
The stores announced Tuesday will join Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, which is the anchor tenant of the 290,000-square-foot, 50-store expansion to the outlet mall off I-88 at Farnsworth Road. The addition will bring the mall's offerings to 170 stores that also include Adidas, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Kate Spade New York, Levi's Outlet Store and Polo Ralph Lauren in 688,000 square feet of shopping space.
Chicago Premium Outlets began construction on the $110 million addition to the 10-year-old shopping center in July, and officials said the result will be a "complete transformation."
Plans call for new pieces of art, additional seating and lighting, a pond and fire pits. Crews also are working on a renovation of the existing stores to provide enhanced landscaping, newly paved sidewalks, improved lounge areas and upgraded food options.
The expansion on the east side of the outlet mall will include 2,200 new parking spaces.
Mall operator Simon Premium Outlets expects the work to support 300 construction jobs and create 500 permanent jobs when the new stores are open. The developer is set to receive a total of $24 million in incentives from two of the taxing bodies in which it lies, the city of Aurora and Batavia Unit District 101. The school district has agreed to rebate the first $3.2 million of new taxes received from the property, while Aurora officials said the rest will be paid during the next two decades as property tax rebates.
Current stores at the outlet mall remain open for business during construction.