At Norfolk Premium Outlets, where the corridors are designed in loops, shoppers wind their way from store to store, with no clear starting mark or finish line.
The vacant spaces scattered between Gap, The Northface and Nike could get glossed over in that swirl. But counted up, 17 or so suites, a couple of food stalls and a restaurant remain empty at the shopping center.
Originally promoted as an 85-retailer mall, the center had just 50 stores when it opened in June. Simon Property Group, its developer, assured customers would see more before the end of the year.
But deep in the holiday shopping season, the store directory hasn’t grown much: Michael Kors, Tory Burch, True Religion and Polo Ralph Lauren joined in time for Black Friday. Coach, an outlet announced this summer, has yet to ring up any luxury handbags. Mall spokesmen said the store is expected to open later this month – a highly unusual move, given the importance of November sales.
