Just a half-hour drive from Oxford's red brick, Monroe is now home to the newest shopping mecca near Miami University - Cincinnati Premium Outlets, which opened Aug. 6.
According to a representative for Nike Communications, the outlet center offers a variety of discounts and deals to encourage shopping in an economy that does not necessarily do the same.
"Our merchants offer savings of 25 percent to 65 percent every day, and members of our VIP Shopper Club save even more," the representative said. "Shoppers should come with a budget, and the budget can vary based on your shopping needs."
The outlets also boast considerable sales for major holidays such as Labor Day, Columbus Day, "Black Friday" and post-Christmas, the representative said.
These discounts and sales are certain to be extremely enticing to surrounding college students, including Miami students, the representative said.
"We offer a 'Show Your Student/Educator I.D. Program' that allows a student (or professor) to show their I.D. to receive a complimentary VIP Coupon Book for the months of August through Sept. 30," the representative said.
Since the center opened four weeks ago, the representative said the shops have seen plenty of traffic.
"Shoppers are responding very favorably to the center," the representative said. "We have (even) seen many shoppers with Miami University sweatshirts and T-shirts since opening day."
Kevin Chesar, director of development for the city of Monroe, said the Cincinnati Premium Outlets were built in Monroe for several reasons, one of which is its convenient location. Monroe is almost halfway between Cincinnati and Dayton, Chesar said.
"(There is) a lot of development opportunity in Monroe right now," Chesar said. "We have a lot of commercial and industrial land available."
The area adjacent to the mall is also being developed. Chesar said development surrounding Monroe has recently been pushing north from Cincinnati and south from Dayton.
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Chesar said he thinks the outlet center will have a positive effect on the economy in Monroe. A job fair was held at local Monroe schools to find employees for the center. Chesar said the event was very well attended and accounted for the hiring of "a large percentage of local applicants."
The Cincinnati Premium Outlets have created approximately 800 jobs, and, depending on the season, may create up to 1,100 or 1,200 jobs, Chesar said.
Chesar said he hopes the new center will "put Monroe on the map."
"This area was clearly lacking a high quality outlet center," the representative said of the town between Dayton and Cincinnati. "We believe that our new center will have a positive economic benefit. In addition to bringing much needed jobs, we will benefit the entire area by bringing new customers into the region, and those people may spread incremental dollars by eating in area restaurants, staying at area hotels, visiting other area attractions, etc."
Chesar also said Monroe is working with the Butler County Regional Transit Authority to establish a bus service to transport people to their jobs at or near the center and provide access to the center for those unable to drive. An interchange is also being constructed between State Route 63 and I-75 to accommodate the increased traffic in the area.
Some Miami students who have visited the Premium Outlets recently, said they expect to visit again.
"They have a lot of stores, and it's very accessible both when shopping and driving to the center" sophomore Megan McGill said. "I used to go to the outlets much farther from my house, but I will definitely be frequenting the new outlets in Monroe."
Stores at the Cincinnati Premium Outlets include Tommy Hilfiger, J.Crew, The Gap, Saks Off Fifth, Nike, Ralph Lauren Polo and Coach.
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