A new shopping experience came to the Chicago area last month, and I decided to see what all the hype was about.
The Fashion Outlets of Chicago is 530,000 square feet full of the top names in clothing, shoes, accessories and food. But before you can start shopping, you have to find parking. Green and red lights over each space alert drivers to open spots, so you can avoid driving down every aisle. Signs also show how many spots are available on each floor, so if the number is low, you can just keep going up. However, this parking isn’t always free. Rates are:
- First 2 hours: Free
- 2-3 hours: $3
- 3-4 hours: $6
- 4-5 hours: $9
- 5-8 hours: $15
- 8-plus hours: $20
Keep your parking ticket with you, and once you’ve hit your shopping limit, pay at the kiosks located at all entrances before walking out to your car.
As for the stores, the Fashion Outlets of Chicago offer a wide variety of both high-end and classic outlet stores. What is unique about this mall is the names you don’t typically see, such as:
- Barney’s New York Warehouse
- Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store
- Burberry (opening soon)
- Giorgio Armani
- Gucci
- Michael Kors
- Neiman Marcus Last Call
- Prada
- Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH
- Sperry
- Swarovski
- Tory Burch Outlet
Want more on what the shops carry? Don’t miss Laura Hine’s store-by-store review on Shop Chicago Chic.
For those who plan on shopping at the outlets as often as possible, consider buying the Green Savings Card. It costs $5—and you can present it at stores and restaurants in order to rack up more savings. Whether you purchase the card or not, you can always check the list of special offers to see which stores are having additional sales.
If you’re attempting to visit most of the 120 stores, chances are you’ll want to take a break to eat. Most of the food court is standard mall fare, but you may find something different at the eco-friendly restaurant, prasino.
For a full list of stores and restaurants, visit the Fashion Outlets of Chicago website.
And for the few who just like to tag along, the mall has partnered with The Arts Initiative to stage interactive visual art throughout the space, making this mall visually appealing, too.
Tips:
Shop early, shop often. If hitting the outlets is your kind of fun, you’ll want to arrive early for the best parking, and take advantage of the Green Savings Card.
Outlet doesn’t always equal inexpensive. Burberry may be at the mall, but it doesn’t mean you’re getting a scarf for $15. Keep your expectations realistic.
Make it a two-fer. Right next door to the Fashion Outlets of Chicago is Rosemont’s newest entertainment district, The Park at Rosemont. There’ll you find:
- Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar
- Park Tavern
- Zanies
- Hoffbrauhaus Chicago
- Adobe Gila’s
- My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
- Muvico 18
- Five Roses Pub
- Kings (upscale bowling)
The Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Rosemont
847-928-7500
