From clothes to shoes and accessories to fine chocolates, what more could you ask for? You can find it all at the Tampa Premium Outlets, which opened in Pasco County on Thursday.

The mall is right off State Road 56 near I-75 in Lutz near Wesley Chapel, and it’s expected to have a huge economic impact on the area.

The mall hit some bumps along the way, with original plans for it pre-recession.  County officials say it’s thanks to Pasco County planners, though, that this mall is now open.

The grand opening ceremony was held this morning, and stores officially opened at 10 a.m.  


A long line formed early at the Coach store. (Leah Masuda, staff)

Throughout the weekend, stores will have special offers, on top of the already discounted prices.  Mall officials say you can expect to save anywhere from 25-50 percent at all of the 90 retailers.

The stores include Adidas, Banana Republic Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Coach, Cole Haan, Disney Store Outlet, Ecco, Express Factory Outlet, Fossil, Gap Factory Outlet, Hartstings, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Vera Bradley.

This weekend there will be fireworks, Halloween happenings, and much more.

"The stores will open to customers at 10 a.m." said Les Miller with the Simon Property Group. "And all weekend long there will be music and special events and it will be a celebration for what really is a beautiful outlet center."

Thousands of people showed up to check out the mall on Thursday and go bargain hunting. People even showed up a couple hours before the stores opened. 

It was kind of like a party on opening day at the outlets. People even took the day off work to be there.

“Well yes, she said this was a historical day so she made me,” said shopper, Jennifer Burnett about her friend. 

With all the sale and discount signs at over 100 stores, I guess you could see why.

“We like shopping,” said shopper, Elizabeth Gibfried laughing with her girlfriends.

Even people from out of state wanted to be there for opening day like Greta Gunsher, who lives in Indiana.

“We opened the stores,” said Gunsher.

“We opened the stores, sitting and waiting,” said shopper, Lynnda Jacob. 

It wasn’t just ladies who came running. Bay News 9 asked a gentleman if he was dragged here, he responded, “No I like it, I like shopping,” said Brian Logan, who was with his wife. 

Some people had already shopped till they dropped by noon Thursday. Many were laying in recliners under palm trees. A very Florida vibe and something new for Pasco. 

“You drive to Ellenton all the time for the outlets and now it’s like people are driving here, it’s just five miles from our house,” said shopper, Danielle Jarrett. “It’s kind of surreal I think I walked in here and I felt like I don’t even feel like we’re in the same area.” 

That’s what the county hopes for. It plans to make the area Pasco’s central business district. 

But also a place to bring the family or even your four-legged companion. 

More than 800 people started work on Thursday as well.