Скачать или смотреть Grand Opening of Asheville Outlets

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The first outlet mall for Asheville officially opened to the public Friday.

The opening celebration began with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m.

Braving the cold in hopes of freebies, good deals and a first look inside, shoppers grabbed their maps and claimed a spot in line.

News 13's Lauren Brigman met a group of friends who say they arrived around 7 a.m. to be first in line at Rack Room Shoes. For them, freebies and the adrenaline rush is enough to miss work for.

"We do this at least annually in November, but we hit Sevierville because of the outlets. So now we don't have to go as far because we're from Asheville," says Jenny Rodriguez.

When doors opened at 10 a.m. Friday, the shopping game was on for those of all ages. Though about 60 stores are cashing in on the excitement this weekend, as many as 15 more shops are expected to open within the coming months.

Thousands of people are expected to make their way to the Asheville Outlets this weekend and Asheville Police say they will have officers directing traffic.

They are also working with NCDOT to sync the stop lights from the top of the exit ramp to the outlet mall entrance. You should expect increased traffic and delays along I-26 near Exit 33 to Brevard Road, all weekend.

By: Lauren Brigman
Follow Lauren on Twitter @LBRIGMAN_WLOS

_______________
Follow WLOS on social media:

WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook:   / news13  
WLOS ABC 13 News on Twitter:   / wlos_13  
WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram:   / wlos_13  

Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Cha...

Listen to AnchorMOMS, the Podcast:
https://wlos.com/news/anchormoms/anch...

Watch more top local news stories:    • Western Loses At ETSU, Highlights and more  

For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit http://www.wlos.com
Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wlos.com/watch

Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:

Email us: [email protected]
Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340


WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.