Even before opening day, the 441,000-square-foot mall is making waves throughout the Tampa Bay area.

While outlet malls might not have the same appeal as an adventure park or aquarium, Wiatrowski said they constitute tourist attractions.

Shopping is something people tend to do on vacation, and outlet shopping is extremely popular; its a big part of the tourist experience, Wiatrowski said.

Existing businesses also are hoping to benefit from the tourists and regional shoppers the mall will attract.

Tampa Premium Outlets is not as large as Simon’s 531,000-square-foot outlets mall in Ellenton or the 650,000-square-foot Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland Avenue, but Nance is confident the Wesley Chapel mall will have no problem attracting customers.

Grand opening hours at the mall at 2398 Grand Cypress Drive, at the interchange of Interstate 75 and State Road 56, are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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