I'm going to guess that you're referring to the Woodbury Commons, right? It sure sounds like it. I guess you're right. Maybe the in-store bargains are so good that it isn't even worth the trip. I don't have any outlet stores that are really convenient for me to get to so it was never even a consideration for me. I have been to WC once but I was too young to really appreciate (or afford) anything.

I just got back from the outlet mall! I like it because I love the Ann Taylor Factory store and their line of clothes; it's somewhere between AT and AT Loft, and I know the pieces there won't be seen all over the place. Hubby went with me and hit Eddie Bauer and Gap Outlet. There's also a Converse store, with every color imaginable for about $15 less than Zappos.

The one up north that I like the most is a lot emptier than it used to be, but I went to another out west (I live in Chicago, north and west might as well be different parts of the world, they're so far away from each other), and it was PACKED last weekend. No parking anywhere, and there was actually a line to get IN to the Coach store. Like, with a velvet rope and someone manning the door and everything. I was flabbergasted!

The regular mall, on the other hand, was pretty dead. I thought the Talbots people were going to tackle-hug me when I wandered in to check the sales rack.

Kristen, I think those Talbots people are going to tackle-hug me anytime I get near that store (or grab me by the neck and pull me into the store when I walk by)!

Just don't try to return anything because you will get big frowny faces from them.

I haven't been to an outlet mall in ages due to the amazing sales in regular stores, and online, but am glad to hear there were lines somewhere, anywhere in this economy.

No, unfortunately, Woodbury Commons is a good two hours from where I live. Woodbury Commons is actually gargantuan in size and has an amazing variety of stores. It seems to be very popular among New Yorkers and features many high end retailers. I go there once in a blue moon and it is usually packed. I was there back at the end of September - I wonder how business is now...

My local one is much, much smaller and like I said, it was fairly empty. Kristen, I wish ours had an AT outlet - I can usually find a good selection of petites clothing there. Of course, I didn't walk away empty handed - I got a shirt from j crew, a pair of jeans at the Gap and a pair of shoes for my son from Ecco.