Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008

SHOPPING

Article and Photography By
Charlotte Tallman

If you have actually left town to hit one of the bigger cities like Tucson to shop in an outlet mall, or if you leave after work some days to hit Kohl's Department Store in El Paso, you are in luck. Las Cruces is home to, or at least very near, two shopping sensations -- the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso and the newly opened Kohl's Department Store in Las Cruces.

The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso, located at Interstate 10 and Trans Mountain Road, is a 380,000 square-foot, open-air outlet mall home to more than 100 stores that have, in the past, only been accessible when traveling or shopping online, like Coach, Ann Taylor and Tommy Hilfiger. Offering items for children (Disney Store, The Children's Place and Gymboree), professionals (Banana Republic, BCBG and Dress Barn) and even shoe fanatics (Converse, Easy Spirit and Skechers). As with most outlet malls, the prices for merchandise can be as much as 70 percent cheaper than in regular department stores.

Marianne Mendoza, an area native, was at the outlet mall opening event in October, and said she thinks it is great for Las Cruces, El Paso and the smaller communities to have the extra jobs, plus she likes the idea of shopping at the outlet mall. "I look forward to shopping every time I go out of town -- I love finding discount prices on name brands," she said.

The outlet mall was created as an outdoor shopping area, but comfort was not forgotten when creating a comfortable environment in the desert. The open air mall is covered with canopy areas, and dining can be indoors or outdoors in a food court area where water fountains are calming and ooling. A soft play area is available for the little tykes who aren't old enough to understand the greatness of an outlet mall, as well as family style restrooms with areas for resting, nursing and diaper changing.

Kohl's opened its Las Cruces store in November, bringing in approximately 150 new jobs to the area. The new store offers a variety of name brand merchandise at discounted prices, as well as exclusive items made especially for Kohl's. The store also has a vested interest in the community in which they build stores.

"Kohl's looks for communities with high concentrations of families with children," says Nzingha Thompson, public relations coordinator for Kohl's. "When it makes sense, Kohl's builds stores in new communities near communities we already serve. Kohl's picks convenient locations that are close to where our customers live and work."

Along with great deals and new styles, Kohl's is committed to giving back to the community. The nationwide stores participate in the Kohl's Cares for Kids Program, supporting children's health and education initiatives nationwide.