Sawgrass Mills Mall Outlet Survival Guide
Inside Sawgrass Mills Mall
Formed in the shape of an alligator with over 2million sq ft of space is the Sawgrass Mills Mall. This massive expanse of shopping experience has almost as many yearly visitors as Disney World. Acres of parking lots filled to the max with cars give a preview of the massive crowds you will experience inside Sawgrass Mills. Get ready for a whole day trek through this massive Outlet and be especially prepared for slow moving crowds if you come on the weekend. Having visited this mall numerous times since childhood has helped me to compile this list of survival tips for our good friend Sawgrass Mills.
Sawgrass Mills Mall is located at 12801 West Sunrise Boulevard in Sunrise, FL (Information line: 954-846-2350). The intersection of Flamingo Road and Sunrise Boulevard is where you will find this behemoth of a mall. Expressway access is easy from I-595 or the Sawgrass Expressway. It's only 15 miles from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and 30 miles from Miami International Airport. This is a plus as it's relatively easy...However the negative of an easy to find location is Sawgrass Mills can be overloaded with people.
No other mall in South Florida offers such great discounts on quality merchandise. This makes Sawgrass a worth while trip for anyone. The latest addition to Sawgrass Mills is the Colonnade Outlets which bring several high-end stores to the mall in traditional outside outlet style shopping. The Colonnade Outlets which opened in 2006, offer everything from Juicy Couture to Burberry and Barneys. Tory Burch, Piazza Sempione and Prada among many others. The Mediterranean inspired covered walkways add a nice touch to your shopping experience.
Also at Sawgrass Mills you will want to check out the Neiman Marcus Last Call which sells everything from Juicy Couture to Nicole Miller. Ralph Lauren sunglasses under $45 and Versace shades for under $100 sound. Also visit Cole Haan for luxurious, classic shoes, and handbags at incredible discounts.
Need designer handbags? Then Salvatore Ferragamo is where you want to check out. It's still a big pricey compared to many of the other outlet stores but the quality is top notch. For pumps, heels, and sandals check out Stuart Weitzman which is always stocked with sleek and sexy choices. The Coach Factory Store offers some of the best bang for your buck in purses and accessories. You'll see daily shipments of out-of-season or discontinued products. Bonus: the store also accepts customer returns of merchandise from the full-priced shops. The ability to find a full priced designer return at an exceptional discount makes the trip to Sawgrass worth it. The store often offers discounts on merchandise by as much to 20% off the already reduced priced. You'll take a gamble waiting for this to happen, because what they have on the floor is their only supply. Once it's gone, it's gone. A tip from the sales associate: Fridays and Saturday mornings are the best days to shop Coach, as that's when new items hit shelves.
On the far end of the Colonnade, you'll find Barneys New York (954-331-1260), Juicy Couture (954-846-1247), Theory (954-838-9595) and Kate Spade (954-838-9268). Barneys has a great selection of career separates for women and men as well as handbags and designer shoes. Drown yourself in the sale racks and when you come up for air, you'll have several quality items at not-quite-Old-Navy prices. Known for adorable and colorful terry sweat suits, the Juicy outlet has a large selection but only offers slight markdowns. Cute tees, mostly priced under $30, are the items to snag here.
OTHER MUST-SEE STORES
Time to venture indoors. Here are the stores you shouldn't miss:
1. Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue - (954-846-7746) All the top brands at bargain-basement prices. This store carries a large selection of designer jeans including True Religion, 7 For All Mankind and Paper Denim & Cloth as well as high-quality suits and formal dresses. Off 5th has been known to run promotions where shoppers who buy one item get any second item in the store at 50 percent off.
2. Banana Republic Factory Store - (954-838-7169) Work and weekend basics for men and women. This store has a large selection of career and weekend slacks, tops, dresses, sandals, even swimsuits (though finding matching tops and bottoms can be a chore). Head to the back of the store and find a treasure trove of final clearance items. You'll think it's Christmas.
3. Kenneth Cole Outlet Store - (954-845-9777) This trendy store tends to have some pricey clothing items but the sweet spot here are the racks of Cole's signature shoes, deeply marked down.
4. Gap Outlet - (954-846-2115) Large store + large discounts = large crowds. You'll inevitably find yourself waiting in long checkout lanes. The good news: while you wait in line, your arms will be full of cheap wardrobe staples soon to call your closet home.
5. GUESS? Outlet - (954-846-2681) This one's for the ladies. Although the store carries some items for men, the selection for women garners all the attention. The elusive "cute top" every woman searches for to pair with her going-out jeans lurks somewhere on a rack here.
6. Ann Taylor Factory Store - (954-846-1326) The perfect spot to freshen up your career wardrobe. Racks and racks of clearance items are at the back of the store.
7. Perry Ellis - (954-851-9516) A store for the sophisticated male. He'll find ties, collared shirts, suit separates and casual wear that scream taste and go easy on the Visa.
8. Nike Factory Store - (954-837-0329) This store offers athletic gear and plenty of it. Wade through table after table of logo tees for just $9.99 and isles full of sneakers, most under $40.
9. Nine West Outlet - (954-846-2586) Last season's great shoe is this store's can't-miss deal. Sandals, pumps, boots, oh my!
10. Fossil Company Store - (954-846-9779) A selection of fun timepieces for a great price. You'll also find hip handbags and belts. What time is it? Time to call your credit card company and ask for a higher limit.
11. Polo Ralph Lauren Children's Factory Store - (954-835-2272) Classic American style for boys and girls at 25 to 45 percent off the original price. It's a great place to score quality essentials for the munchkins in your life.
12. Gucci: This luxe outlet store is a first-in-market outlet location from Gucci. This noteworthy new addition has a temporary location at The Oasis but will move to a permanent location as part of the ongoing expansion of The Colonnade
Outlets at Sawgrass Mills to be completed by early 2013.
13. Ugg Austalia: (954-416-2600) Score some comfy sheepskin Ugg boots at this first-in-market store.
14: Original Penguin: (954-846-9228) This is the only Original Penguin outlet in Florida so a visit here is a must. Get your paws on the label's modern suits, shirts, tees, hats, ties and shoes at 30 to 70 percent off.
WHEN TO GO
So you know where to spend your cash. Now when to go? Inevitably, weekends are the busiest. But the earlier you arrive, the fewer crowds you will encounter. Head out after breakfast and you'll enjoy a few hours of peaceful shopping. Once the afternoon hits, it's a free-for-all. (Don't say we didn't warn you...) If you go in the evening, you'll still have to wade through the crowds making a night of it at Sawgrass's popular restaurants. Most of the evening rush is in The Oasis, an outdoor section of the mall that houses a Cheesecake Factory and a Regal 23 Cinemas. There is also a Grand Lux Café in The Colonnade section. Your best bet, if you can wiggle out of work, is a weekday trip, optimally early in the week. Is it just me, or do you feel a sore throat coming on?
WHERE TO PARK
Whether it's a weekday or weekend, if you want to emerge from Sawgrass with your sanity intact, show up with a patient smile and comfortable shoes. Although there are tons of parking lots, they fill up fast. Some anchor stores, such as the Super Target, open earlier than the actual mall. You may want to park there and get a jump on browsing and shopping. If you want to park in the shade, you'll want to park at the garage outside of Burlington Coat Factory. If you are visiting The Colonnade before the lunchtime rush, park outside the Grand Lux. On a particularly busy day, you can always valet at The Colonnade or The Oasis for just $5. But remember, there can be a long wait for your ride when you're ready to leave.
TIPS BEFORE YOU GO
-Sawgrass is large and vast, so pick a mission for your trip before you go - it's a lot easier to set out in search of a pair of brown pumps than to wander aimlessly, eyes glazing over.
-If you're a first-time visitor and want to find your own favorite stores, set aside a full day and plan to eat one if not two meals at the mall. If you've got a few stores to check on, print our map and plot your itinerary. Set a time limit for each store and keep checking your watch, as it's frighteningly easy to lose track of time while you're in the mall.
-One last tip: only visit stores that are true outlets. Why go to Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, when you can find those in any strip mall? Focus instead on the rare gems. Non-outlet stores include Burlington Coat Factory, Books-A-Million, BrandsMart USA, Rack Room Shoes, Forever XXI, The Sports Authority, Bed Bath & Beyond and Charlotte Russe, to name a few.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Sawgrass Mills Mall is located at 12801 West Sunrise Boulevard in Sunrise, FL (Information line: 954-846-2350). The intersection of Flamingo Road and Sunrise Boulevard is where you will find this behemoth of a mall. Expressway access is easy from I-595 or the Sawgrass Expressway. It's only 15 miles from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and 30 miles from Miami International Airport. This is a plus as it's relatively easy...However the negative of an easy to find location is Sawgrass Mills can be overloaded with people.
No other mall in South Florida offers such great discounts on quality merchandise. This makes Sawgrass a worth while trip for anyone. The latest addition to Sawgrass Mills is the Colonnade Outlets which bring several high-end stores to the mall in traditional outside outlet style shopping. The Colonnade Outlets which opened in 2006, offer everything from Juicy Couture to Burberry and Barneys. Tory Burch, Piazza Sempione and Prada among many others. The Mediterranean inspired covered walkways add a nice touch to your shopping experience.
Also at Sawgrass Mills you will want to check out the Neiman Marcus Last Call which sells everything from Juicy Couture to Nicole Miller. Ralph Lauren sunglasses under $45 and Versace shades for under $100 sound. Also visit Cole Haan for luxurious, classic shoes, and handbags at incredible discounts.
Need designer handbags? Then Salvatore Ferragamo is where you want to check out. It's still a big pricey compared to many of the other outlet stores but the quality is top notch. For pumps, heels, and sandals check out Stuart Weitzman which is always stocked with sleek and sexy choices. The Coach Factory Store offers some of the best bang for your buck in purses and accessories. You'll see daily shipments of out-of-season or discontinued products. Bonus: the store also accepts customer returns of merchandise from the full-priced shops. The ability to find a full priced designer return at an exceptional discount makes the trip to Sawgrass worth it. The store often offers discounts on merchandise by as much to 20% off the already reduced priced. You'll take a gamble waiting for this to happen, because what they have on the floor is their only supply. Once it's gone, it's gone. A tip from the sales associate: Fridays and Saturday mornings are the best days to shop Coach, as that's when new items hit shelves.
On the far end of the Colonnade, you'll find Barneys New York (954-331-1260), Juicy Couture (954-846-1247), Theory (954-838-9595) and Kate Spade (954-838-9268). Barneys has a great selection of career separates for women and men as well as handbags and designer shoes. Drown yourself in the sale racks and when you come up for air, you'll have several quality items at not-quite-Old-Navy prices. Known for adorable and colorful terry sweat suits, the Juicy outlet has a large selection but only offers slight markdowns. Cute tees, mostly priced under $30, are the items to snag here.
OTHER MUST-SEE STORES
Time to venture indoors. Here are the stores you shouldn't miss:
1. Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue - (954-846-7746) All the top brands at bargain-basement prices. This store carries a large selection of designer jeans including True Religion, 7 For All Mankind and Paper Denim & Cloth as well as high-quality suits and formal dresses. Off 5th has been known to run promotions where shoppers who buy one item get any second item in the store at 50 percent off.
2. Banana Republic Factory Store - (954-838-7169) Work and weekend basics for men and women. This store has a large selection of career and weekend slacks, tops, dresses, sandals, even swimsuits (though finding matching tops and bottoms can be a chore). Head to the back of the store and find a treasure trove of final clearance items. You'll think it's Christmas.
3. Kenneth Cole Outlet Store - (954-845-9777) This trendy store tends to have some pricey clothing items but the sweet spot here are the racks of Cole's signature shoes, deeply marked down.
4. Gap Outlet - (954-846-2115) Large store + large discounts = large crowds. You'll inevitably find yourself waiting in long checkout lanes. The good news: while you wait in line, your arms will be full of cheap wardrobe staples soon to call your closet home.
5. GUESS? Outlet - (954-846-2681) This one's for the ladies. Although the store carries some items for men, the selection for women garners all the attention. The elusive "cute top" every woman searches for to pair with her going-out jeans lurks somewhere on a rack here.
6. Ann Taylor Factory Store - (954-846-1326) The perfect spot to freshen up your career wardrobe. Racks and racks of clearance items are at the back of the store.
7. Perry Ellis - (954-851-9516) A store for the sophisticated male. He'll find ties, collared shirts, suit separates and casual wear that scream taste and go easy on the Visa.
8. Nike Factory Store - (954-837-0329) This store offers athletic gear and plenty of it. Wade through table after table of logo tees for just $9.99 and isles full of sneakers, most under $40.
9. Nine West Outlet - (954-846-2586) Last season's great shoe is this store's can't-miss deal. Sandals, pumps, boots, oh my!
10. Fossil Company Store - (954-846-9779) A selection of fun timepieces for a great price. You'll also find hip handbags and belts. What time is it? Time to call your credit card company and ask for a higher limit.
11. Polo Ralph Lauren Children's Factory Store - (954-835-2272) Classic American style for boys and girls at 25 to 45 percent off the original price. It's a great place to score quality essentials for the munchkins in your life.
12. Gucci: This luxe outlet store is a first-in-market outlet location from Gucci. This noteworthy new addition has a temporary location at The Oasis but will move to a permanent location as part of the ongoing expansion of The Colonnade
Outlets at Sawgrass Mills to be completed by early 2013.
13. Ugg Austalia: (954-416-2600) Score some comfy sheepskin Ugg boots at this first-in-market store.
14: Original Penguin: (954-846-9228) This is the only Original Penguin outlet in Florida so a visit here is a must. Get your paws on the label's modern suits, shirts, tees, hats, ties and shoes at 30 to 70 percent off.
WHEN TO GO
So you know where to spend your cash. Now when to go? Inevitably, weekends are the busiest. But the earlier you arrive, the fewer crowds you will encounter. Head out after breakfast and you'll enjoy a few hours of peaceful shopping. Once the afternoon hits, it's a free-for-all. (Don't say we didn't warn you...) If you go in the evening, you'll still have to wade through the crowds making a night of it at Sawgrass's popular restaurants. Most of the evening rush is in The Oasis, an outdoor section of the mall that houses a Cheesecake Factory and a Regal 23 Cinemas. There is also a Grand Lux Café in The Colonnade section. Your best bet, if you can wiggle out of work, is a weekday trip, optimally early in the week. Is it just me, or do you feel a sore throat coming on?
WHERE TO PARK
Whether it's a weekday or weekend, if you want to emerge from Sawgrass with your sanity intact, show up with a patient smile and comfortable shoes. Although there are tons of parking lots, they fill up fast. Some anchor stores, such as the Super Target, open earlier than the actual mall. You may want to park there and get a jump on browsing and shopping. If you want to park in the shade, you'll want to park at the garage outside of Burlington Coat Factory. If you are visiting The Colonnade before the lunchtime rush, park outside the Grand Lux. On a particularly busy day, you can always valet at The Colonnade or The Oasis for just $5. But remember, there can be a long wait for your ride when you're ready to leave.
TIPS BEFORE YOU GO
-Sawgrass is large and vast, so pick a mission for your trip before you go - it's a lot easier to set out in search of a pair of brown pumps than to wander aimlessly, eyes glazing over.
-If you're a first-time visitor and want to find your own favorite stores, set aside a full day and plan to eat one if not two meals at the mall. If you've got a few stores to check on, print our map and plot your itinerary. Set a time limit for each store and keep checking your watch, as it's frighteningly easy to lose track of time while you're in the mall.
-One last tip: only visit stores that are true outlets. Why go to Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, when you can find those in any strip mall? Focus instead on the rare gems. Non-outlet stores include Burlington Coat Factory, Books-A-Million, BrandsMart USA, Rack Room Shoes, Forever XXI, The Sports Authority, Bed Bath & Beyond and Charlotte Russe, to name a few.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Sawgrass Mills Mall Map
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