Riverwalk announces outlet retailers

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Developers say Neiman Marcus, Kenneth Cole, Coach and LOFT are among the retailers opening outlet stores in a revamped Riverwalk downtown next year.

The Howard Hughes Corp. announced last year it would undertake a $70 million renovation of the aging mall and turn it into a luxury outlet center. But there was no word of which retailers had signed leases.

On Monday, the corporation said The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is 94 percent committed with leases. The shopping center is scheduled to open in late spring or early summer of next year.

The renovation plans will expand the mall’s footprint by 50,000 square feet to a total of 250,000 square feet of space. Developers hope to attract local shoppers along with the usual mix of tourists and cruise ship passengers.

Among the retailers new to the local market, Dallas-based luxury department store Neiman Marcus plans to open its bargain version, Last Call Studio.

“This will be the first Neiman Marcus store in Louisiana and our first venture with Howard Hughes,” said Wayne Hussey, senior vice president of store development for the Neiman Marcus Group, in a news release. “We already have a strong customer base in Louisiana and are pleased to become part of the continued resurgence in the great city of New Orleans.”

Other tenants include: Tommy Bahama, Sunglass Warehouse, Red Mango, New Balance, Gap, Guess, Kay Jewelers, Clarks, U.S. Polo Assn., and Hartstrings Childrenswear, Forever 21, Chico’s, Crocs and American Eagle, and Steve Madden.

Coach will open a factory store and a men’s factory store.

Howard Hughes said it will be the first outlet mall in a downtown, urban setting — contrasting the typical sprawling outlet malls in suburban areas.