SAN CLEMENTE, CA—Outlets at San Clemente opened earlier this month in advance of the holiday season and will take full advantage of the opportunity to capture shoppers all Thanksgiving night and through Black Friday, general manager Susan Jennrich tells GlobeSt.com. As retail competition ramps up in Orange County, we spoke exclusively with Jennrich about her impressions of the grand opening and her expectations for the center going into the holiday season.

GlobeSt.com: What was your impression of the grand opening for Outlets at San Clemente? 

Jennrich: It was incredible! After 18 years in the making, we were so proud to share with Southern California what we've been working so hard to build: a beautiful community hub for shopping and gathering. A ribbon cutting kicked off our grand opening weekend with city and state officials supporting our center, and then we went on to host our inaugural tree-lighting concert that we estimate hosted more than 7,500 people. It was a big success! Plus, not only did our center offer great grand opening deals and giveaways, but our retailers stepped up to provide amazing savings, prize opportunities and entertainment for shoppers, which made for a full weekend of excitement.   

GlobeSt.com: What are your expectations for the center going into the holiday season?

Jennrich: We're anticipating a busy holiday season. Outlets at San Clemente opened just in time for holiday shopping, and we're very excited to offer locals and Southern Californians alike with a fantastic variety of more than 35 retailers open now. Additional stores will open throughout the end of the year as well. We are hoping Southern California families can adopt this center as their favorite new holiday shopping spot, including during our inaugural Moonlight Madness all-night shopping beginning at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. Shops will remain open all night and throughout Black Friday on Nov. 27 until 10 p.m., featuring door-buster offers and holiday savings, which will continue throughout the weekend. 

GlobeSt.com: How is the center either competing with or working with online retailing to spur sales?

Jennrich: We offer a different experience than online shopping. Not only can shoppers take in the beautiful architecture, variety of stores and ocean breezes, they can tangibly touch, see first-hand, feel, smell and try on products—which is not something that can happen with online shopping. All shopping malls, centers and outlets inevitably compete with online retail shopping, but for us we are looking to reach the consumer who wants the full experience. 

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about Outlets at San Clemente?

Jennrich:Outlets at San Clemente is truly a unique center, and not just because it's the only ocean-facing outdoor outlet shopping and dining destination in Orange County. Featuring breathtaking ocean views and classic Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, we consider ourselves an outdoor outlet shopping and dining "village." Consumers will find that storefronts here have been designed to tell an unfolding story, as no two building faces are the same, and details are seldom repeated throughout the center. Resort-like amenities are abundant too, including a beautiful 1,500-square-foot VIP lounge with private restrooms, relaxing seating areas, TVs, complimentary snacks and beverages and a shaded terrace overlooking Center Court. In 2016, we're rolling out a loyalty and rewards program. The VIP area will be for these members as well as other VIPs/sponsors, but additional luxury amenities are available to all shoppers, including complimentary baggage check and five-star customer service with a highly trained staff. 

Plus, while we currently have more than 35 stores open, upon completion of phase 1, Outlets at San Clemente will offer up to 70 retailers. Among our current leases, we actually have four non-outlet stores, including H&M, Daisy Shoppe, Planet Beauty and Sun Diego Boardshops (which is the only Orange County location of this San Diego-based store). The final development plan includes additional stores, a boutique hotel with ocean views and more than 12 restaurants and dining options, including four restaurants with scenic ocean views.