SOUTHAVEN, MS - Exciting news for Mid-South shoppers: a new, multi-million dollar outlet mall is coming to Southaven within the next two years.
Details are still being finalized, but it's being described as an upscale shopping experience different from anything else in the area.
Right now, the only sign of what's to come is a construction poster sitting in the lot of the future Outlet Shops of the Mid-South. The new mall is going to be just off Interstate 55 at the corner of Church Road.
"That sounds like a good location to me, to be right off the interstate with easy access to it," says Deborah Sevire, a Southaven shopper.
Others just like her are already thinking of the bargains, and there's one big question on Sevire and everyone else's mind.
"What stores are coming?" she asks.
Those decisions are still being made. The developer is Poag & McEwen LifeStyle Centers, the same company behind Germantown's Saddle Creek.
Outlet Shops of the Mid-South will house 50 stores, primarily fashion stores with names familiar to shoppers. The mall will look similar to what you see in the shops at Saddle Creek.
"As far as the buildings, that's what they've told us they will do," says Southaven Mayor Greg Davis. "They do an upscale development. The stores at Saddle Creek also have outlets, so hopefully their ties with those groups out there will help in the outlets here."
As to whether or not more stores are needed, that depends on who you ask.
"Most definitely," says Jackie Russell. "Any area needs more shopping."
"It's too many people already," says Joe Clark. "There's already too much traffic."
The mall will create several hundred new jobs, and is expected to bring in millions of dollars in sales tax revenue.
"It should spur the entire environment we've got going on down here," says Mayor Davis. "You've got construction jobs that will take place. Everyone will benefit during the process of building it and when it opens."
Construction should start by the summer of 2012, with the shopping to begin in fall 2013.
