Business Deals | Connecticut | Legislation | Openings & Closings

Mashantucket Tribe plans grand opening for casino outlet mall

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

A sign goes up at the Tanger Outlets at the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Photo by Luther Turmelle / The New Haven Register / Twitter

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut announced details for the grand opening of its casino outlet mall.

The 320,000-square-foot Tanger Outlets at the Foxwoods Resort Casino features more than 80 stores. The $125 million project has created 400 construction jobs and will employ more than 900 people when it opens on May 21.

“It is fulfilling to see the vision for Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods come to life,” said Annette DeBois, the facility's vice president or retail development. said in a press release. “The economic impact will be widespread, there will be new employment opportunities and this will become the dominant retail destination for customers in southeastern Connecticut, neighboring Rhode Island residents and its many visitors.”

Reality TV stars Drew and Jonathan Scott from show Property Brothers will help cut the ribbon at the grand opening next month. The mall is also giving away a $2,500 shopping spree and a $10,000 closet renovation project.

Artist's rendering of the proposed casino in Korea. Image from Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority

The announcement came as the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut revealed plans for a $5 billion casino resort near Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and the Incheon International Airport Corporation are teaming up to bid on a gaming license that's expected to be awarded later this year.

The outlet mall and the Korean casino are part of efforts by the two tribes to address declines in gaming revenues at their existing facilities in Connecticut. The tribes are pushing lawmakers to approve as many as three new casinos, including one near the Massachusetts border.

Senate Bill 1090 is advancing in the state Senate. If it becomes law, the tribes would be required to secure local approval from a host community before opening any casinos.