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The past year has been eventful for the local retail sector, with the opening of Tanger Outlets in Mebane and the addition of new stores at several area shopping centers.

Tanger Outlets has proven to be a popular attraction since opening in November 2010.

“We’re getting a lot of visitors from New York and Washington, D.C., going toward Atlanta and Florida,” said Kathy Hackshaw , general manager of the outlets. “If they don’t take the I-95 route, they come down I-85.” 

The center, which opened after five years of planning, has about 319,000 square feet of retail space and 75 stores, including Brooks Brothers , Le Creuset , Allen Edmonds  and Toys “R” Us Express.

“It runs the gamut,” Hackshaw said. “Everything from a hamburger place to a Saks Fifth Avenue , children’s stores, high-end designer stores. ”

Other area retail centers also have new offerings.

Four Seasons Town Centre  in Greensboro has added several stores, including Journeys Kidz, Best Buy Mobile, Perfume Gallery, Bovanti , P.S. From Aeropostale  and Rue 21, as well as Eyebrow Designer 21 salon and a Nestle Toll House Cafe.

The mall also launched its Family Fun Sunday series , which takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month from 3 to 5 p.m. 
“We recognize that families are a big part of our customer base,” said Kathie Strauss , marketing manager at Four Seasons.

At Friendly Center in Greensboro, Ivy & Leo,  Naartjie  Kids and a Charles Schwab have moved in.

At Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, a new H&M clothing store, the second in the state, is slated to open this year. The mall also added a Charming Charlie  accessories store, a G Shop golf store, Cake by Dewey’s and an Olan Mills  Portrait Studio.

Contact Robert Lopez at 691-5091 or robert. lopez@news-record.com