Tanger Outlets Blowing Rock - Blowing Rock, North Carolina - Shopping Outlet

Tanger Outlets is a shopping outlet center in Blowing Rock, North Carolina and is half a mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Store hours are 10am - 9pm Monday to Saturday and 11am - 6pm on Sundays. The outlet is closed all day on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers are scattered across the United States with the aim of selling merchandise direct from the manufacturer to the consumer, at prices up to 40 percent cheaper than normal retail prices. The company founded by Stanley K Tanger built its first outlet in 1981 at Burlington, North Carolina. The success of the outlets has lead to them becoming tourist destinations with 150 million visiting centers across America in 2008.

There are over 30 brand name manufacturer and designer outlet stores at the Blowing Rock center. Visitors can enjoy some beautifully landscaped grounds as they arrive at the shopping center, which has plenty of parking spaces. They will also be greeted by the boy and girl bronze statue, with a plaque revealing it was presented to the residents and visitors of Blowing Rock by Mr and Mrs Stanley K Tanger in 2002.

In the center itself there are plenty of outlets to shop at, sixteen of which are well known clothing brands such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Gap. Two stores sell children's clothing as well as adults' apparel. There are also various stores selling accessories such as costume jewellery, sunglasses and handbags amongst other things.

The remaining outlets cover a variety of products for shoppers to browse and choose from. Where there are clothes retailers there will often be shoes too, and in this case there are four footwear stores at the center. Perfumes and fragrances can be bought here too.

Two stores sell kitchenware and dinner service goods for the house. Other speciality stores selling perfumes, vitamins and uniforms are on site as well. There is a store guide on hand to read in case people are new to the site, or have any idea which specific store they would like to visit.

Some visitors have a pre-planned route they will take around the shopping center. It is recommended that people wear comfortable shoes on visiting any shopping center, as there may be a lot walking involved. However, Tanger offers a stroller and wheelchair rental service.

That said shoppers have a couple of stopping points at approximately the half way point of Tanger, with places to get food and drink. The Cheeseburgers Grille is situated in unit 32 and is as the name suggests a burger grill. Lighter refreshment and snacks can be purchased a few units along at number 36 from Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream.

The site has other snack and beverage vending machines as well as ATM's. Just off site is the Parkway Caf,, which is a highly recommended restaurant. Coupon books for further discounts in the stores, and voucher cards can also be purchased at the center office.