Outlet Shoppes of Bluegrass mall to expand

Even though it's only been open since late last July, The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass mall off Interstate-64 at Simpsonville is planning a major expansion.

The operators of the huge mall, which has about 370,000 square feet of space, plan a news conference and ground-breaking at 1 p.m. Thursday at the site to announce details of an expansion of just over 50,000 square feet, according to the mall website.

The names of new tenants will be announced at that time, with the expanded area expected to be ready for occupancy by late summer.

The mall, surrounded by farmland, is a joint venture of Horizon Group Properties and CBL & Associates Properties.

Current stores among about 90 businesses include Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth, Old Navy, Gucci, Nike, Kate Spade, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Michael Kors. Crocs, Nine West, and American Eagle Outfitters. The mall has almost 60 clothing stores.

Restaurants on site include Bob Evans, Culver's, China Max, Tacqueria Tsunami and the Ghiradelli Chocolate that has an old-fashioned soda fountain.

A news release said that it is "rare for a shopping center to announce an expansion in less than one year of opening, so this news is a true sign of success for the property."

Most of the mall stores are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

The mall in Shelby County is off I-64's Exit 28 and located midway between Louisville and Lexington. It provides about 1,300 retail jobs and is expected to produce about $8 million annually in tax revenue for the state.

Reporter Sheldon S. Shafer can be reached at (502) 582-7089. Follow him on Twitter at @sheldonshafer.