Hundreds got a sneak peak of the area's newest shopping mall hours before it opened its doors.

The new Mall at University Town Center will officially open to the public Thursday morning.

But on Wednesday night, around 2,500 shoppers got to hit the stores at the new mall located off of I-75, on University Parkway in Sarasota. The cost: $100.

"Wow, I'm blown away,” said Mark Goodson, from Manatee County. “This is gorgeous isn't it?”

Besides getting some good deals at the 880,000 square foot plaza, shoppers also helped 10 local charities.

"Coming in tonight and spending some money and you know supporting our local charities is what it's all about," said Violeta Huesfam, from Manatee County.

The Sneak Peek Charity Preview included valet parking, food, wine, live entertainment.

"I'm so excited to have something this luxurious here,” said Jodi Kudelko, from Manatee County. “It's a new mall in an area close to where I live."

Most of the stores were open and the restaurants offered samples of their famous dishes.

Christopher Prince with Brio Tuscan Grille said they've been preparing for this big day for weeks and they're ready.

"We started hiring eight weeks ago," said Prince, the District Partner for South Florida.  "We hired over 135 people, we've been in this building for three weeks, practicing lunch and dinner -- and, we start tomorrow."

Many of the mall's more than 100 stores are offered exclusive discounts for the Charity Preview Shopping experience.

Shoppers also got a $20 mall gift card.

It’s a unique experience the mall’s general manager said shoppers should get used to.

"Half of the retailers in here are unique to the market so no other retail destination has them in this area," said Octavio Ortiz.

Shoppers said it’s a place they plan on visiting again and again.

"We are very excited about the mall,” said Kristen Nesser, from Manatee County. They were talking about it for a long time. This is a huge thing out here.  We're very happy.”

Tickets for this event sold out in just a few days.

The local non-profits befitting are: The South Florida Museum, All Faith’s Food Bank, The Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota, Circus Arts Conservatory, Sailor Circus, Florida Studio Theater, The Food Bank of Manatee, Girl’s Inc., The Manatee Players, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, and Nate’s Animal Rescue.

The Mall at UTC officially opens to the public Thursday at 10 a.m.