05 Sep New Outlet Mall Opened Up- Best Stores to Visit
The new Tulsa Premium Outlets opened in Jenks, Oklahoma, on August 15, 2024. This long-awaited retail center, spanning over 330,000 square feet, marks the second major outlet mall in the state, with the first being the OKC Outlets in Oklahoma City. It brings a fresh shopping experience to the Tulsa area, blending high-end and popular retail stores, entertainment, and dining options.
Stores Coming to Tulsa Premium Outlets
The mall hosts an impressive mix of over 75 stores, with well-known brands appealing to a wide range of shoppers. Among the major brands that have already opened or are soon to arrive are:
- Luxury and Designer Brands: BOSS, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, and Polo Ralph Lauren.
- Casual and Activewear: Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Nike, Under Armour, New Balance, Puma, and Levi’s.
- Everyday Fashion and Accessories: American Eagle Outfitters, Aerie, Coach, Crocs, and Vineyard Vines.
- Footwear: Carhartt and Skechers.
- Beauty and Lifestyle: Ulta(
In addition to the retail options, the mall is home to various food and beverage offerings, such as Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Los Cabos Little Kitchen, Sugar Llamas, and Tea Bears Tea House. These outlets are ideal for shoppers looking to grab a quick snack during their visit(
Reasons Behind the Excitement
The opening of Tulsa Premium Outlets was met with much anticipation due to several factors:
- First-to-Market Brands: Many of the stores coming to the Tulsa Premium Outlets are the first of their kind in the region, offering shoppers access to brands that previously required trips to other cities or states. This includes designer brands like Tory Burch and Lacoste, making the mall a premier shopping destination for both locals and visitors.
- Economic Impact: The outlet mall is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the Jenks and Tulsa areas. It is projected to create more than 800 jobs, including retail, dining, and mall management positions. This influx of jobs is a welcome development for the local economy.
- Entertainment and Family-Friendly Features: Beyond shopping, the mall offers a variety of amenities designed to enhance the visitor experience. A 20,000-square-foot children’s play area, multiple green spaces, a fire pit, and a fountain provide a relaxing atmosphere for families and individuals. This focus on creating an engaging environment sets the Tulsa Premium Outlets apart from other shopping centers in the region.
- Regional Significance: As the second outlet mall in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Premium Outlets fills a void for those in the northeastern part of the state who previously traveled to Oklahoma City for outlet shopping. The convenience of having a high-quality outlet mall closer to Tulsa is expected to draw shoppers from surrounding cities and states, making it a regional hub for shopping.
Long-Term Prospects
With its strategic location in Jenks, just south of Tulsa, the outlet mall is well-positioned to thrive. The surrounding area continues to develop, and the outlet’s proximity to major highways ensures easy access for visitors. In the long term, Tulsa Premium Outlets will likely attract national and international tourists, further boosting the local economy and solidifying its role as a key shopping destination in the region.
Combining top-tier retail brands, family-friendly amenities, and economic opportunities, Tulsa Premium Outlets is a significant addition to the Tulsa metropolitan area. Its grand opening marked a new chapter for local retail, and with continued expansion, it is set to remain a vibrant and popular destination for years to come.
Building Tulsa
In recent years, the suburbs of Tulsa, Oklahoma, have experienced a significant boom in growth and development. Suburban areas like Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Broken Arrow, and Sand Springs are seeing rapid expansion as more families and businesses seek the benefits of suburban living. This suburban buildup has wide-reaching implications for Tulsa, influencing its economy, infrastructure, demographics, and culture. This growth reflects broader national trends of urban sprawl but also has unique local factors driving it.
The Expansion of Tulsa’s Suburbs
Several factors contribute to the rapid growth of Tulsa’s suburban communities. The suburbs offer a balance of proximity to the amenities of Tulsa’s urban center while providing a quieter, more spacious environment. Families and professionals are drawn to suburban neighborhoods for their quality of life, which often includes larger homes, better schools, and lower crime rates than the city center.
Jenks, for instance, has been a focal point for residential development. Known for its highly-rated school system, it attracts families who value education. Jenks has also embraced commercial development, as seen with the opening of the Tulsa Premium Outlets, a prominent shopping destination in the area.
Similarly, Bixby has gained popularity for its scenic landscape and expanding residential neighborhoods, attracting professionals working in Tulsa who desire a quieter, more rural lifestyle.
Owasso, located north of Tulsa, has been experiencing a surge in population and development. Once a small town, Owasso is rapidly transitioning into a bustling suburb with new housing developments, shopping centers, and restaurants. The same can be said for Broken Arrow, which has always been one of the larger suburbs in Tulsa County but has recently seen a significant uptick in residential and commercial growth.
Infrastructure and Transportation
As these suburbs grow, infrastructure needs also increase. Road expansions, new utilities, and upgraded public transportation options must accommodate the rising population. One key concern for the city and surrounding suburbs is ensuring that transportation systems can handle the increased traffic. Highway 75, which connects many of Tulsa’s southern suburbs to the downtown area, is a critical artery, and expansion projects have been proposed to ease congestion.
Tulsa has been addressing these transportation needs through public-private partnerships and state-funded projects. Expansions of roadways, including the Creek Turnpike, have been prioritized to improve commuting between suburban areas and the city center. Additionally, suburban communities have invested in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including new sidewalks, trails, and parks, catering to the growing population’s preference for outdoor activities and recreation.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
The suburban expansion has had a ripple effect on the local economy. As more families move to suburban areas, businesses follow, creating new jobs. Commercial real estate in Tulsa’s suburbs has grown steadily, with retail, healthcare, and education sectors thriving in these newly developed regions.
For example, Jenks and Broken Arrow have seen an influx of retail development, attracting local and national businesses. Shopping centers, grocery stores, and restaurants have followed the residential boom, providing residents with convenient access to goods and services and creating local jobs. The construction of the Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks is expected to generate hundreds of jobs, boosting the local economy(
Furthermore, many businesses relocate their headquarters or open branches in suburban areas, where real estate is often more affordable. This trend is particularly evident in the healthcare industry, with several hospitals and medical centers opening new facilities in suburban communities to cater to the growing population.
Housing Market and Affordability
One of the most significant impacts of suburban growth is its influence on Tulsa’s housing market. Demand for suburban homes has skyrocketed as more people move out of the city and into the suburbs. This increased demand has led to housing prices in many of Tulsa’s suburbs, although living costs remain lower than in larger metropolitan areas like Dallas or Oklahoma City.
Suburban housing developments often cater to middle- and upper-middle-class families, focusing on single-family homes and master-planned communities. This has led to concerns about affordability, as some families find themselves priced out of specific suburban neighborhoods. However, Tulsa’s suburbs still offer various housing options, from affordable starter homes to luxury estates, allowing for a diverse demographic mix.
Demographic Shifts and Cultural Changes
The suburbanization of Tulsa has also led to changes in the city’s demographics. As middle-class families move to the suburbs, Tulsa’s urban core is undergoing a demographic shift, with younger professionals, empty nesters, and retirees increasingly moving into the city center. Downtown Tulsa, in particular, has seen a resurgence, with new apartment complexes, lofts, and mixed-use developments attracting those who prefer an urban lifestyle.
In contrast, Tulsa’s suburbs are becoming more family-oriented, focusing on good schools, parks, and community activities. These demographic shifts have also led to cultural changes as suburban areas become more self-sufficient, with their local businesses, entertainment options, and community events. While the suburbs once relied heavily on Tulsa for jobs, shopping, and recreation, many now offer these amenities within their boundaries, fostering a sense of community and identity separate from the city.
Impact on Tulsa’s Urban Core
The suburban expansion has created opportunities for Tulsa to reimagine its urban spaces. As families move to the suburbs, downtown Tulsa has become more appealing to a different demographic, including young professionals and retirees who prefer the walkability and amenities of urban living. This shift has spurred new investments in public spaces, transportation, and housing, making downtown Tulsa a vibrant destination in its own right.
Just The Beginning
The suburban buildup surrounding Tulsa is reshaping the city in positive and challenging ways. The economic benefits are undeniable, with job creation, retail growth, and housing development all contributing to a thriving regional economy.
As Tulsa’s suburbs grow, the city must balance supporting suburban expansion and investing in its urban core. By embracing both, Tulsa can position itself as a dynamic, thriving metropolitan area that offers the best of both worlds: the vibrancy of city life and the comfort of suburban living.