Shopping
Tanger Outlets: New stores, restaurants and play centers open in Deer Park and Riverhead
If you haven’t visited the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park and Riverhead lately, you might not know that you can dine on authentic Indian cuisine or order an organic bison burger, find consignment furniture direct from Hamptons homes, purchase name brand lounge wear at a deep discount and … play a feisty game of pickleball. The open-air shopping centers are looking to attract shoppers by turning a trip to the outlets into an experience with fresh entities in the worlds of fashion, furniture, food and fun.
Says Amar Muir, the marketing director at Deer Park, “We continue to enhance our diverse mix of top national retailers, family-owned shops and local eateries to create a dynamic shopping experience for everyone.” Adds Jodi Hoag, regional vice president field marketing, “It’s important that our centers evolve with Long Island community. We are focused on expanding into new categories,” and “delivering the brands that shoppers want.”
Have a look at some of the new places to shop, dine and play:
Burger Village
152 The Arches circle, #1002, 631-446-3185
At Burger Village — founded by Nick Yadav and his three brothers, Sam, Vick and Ravi — the specialty of the house is focused on organic meats and products free of antibiotics and hormones. The restaurant features a full bar and offers a happy hour Monday through Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. Yadav says that the restaurant’s bison burger ($14) is a top seller though the basic beef burger ($12) is always number one. Beyond that, there are plenty of other exotic burger options including elk, ostrich and boar ($13-$17) However, it’s not all about the meat, as the place has several vegetarian choices including a black bean variety and falafel. Add to the entrees plenty of starters and sides such as hand-cut French fries ($5.50) salads ($7-$13) and a kids menu, ($8), too.
Hey Dude
152 The Arches Circle, #1232, 631-464-0782
Lightweight, flexible, foldable shoes for men, women and kids are the calling card of this 16-year-old brand which was purchased by Crocs in 2022. Great for travel, the shoes are machine washable and boast removable insoles so you can navigate the amount of support you want. A bestseller here is the men’s Wallysox style — it looks like a shoe, but feels like a sock. The outlet regularly offers special promotions such as 50% off a second pair. For adults, prices start at $64.99, kids, $39.99. The store also sells patches to zhush up the shoes called “haymakers” and apparel such as T-shirts and sweatshirts.
Wacoal
152 The Arches Circle, #1382, 855-873-7491
Here, find a deep selection of bras in sizes A-I, along with underwear, shapewear and daywear. The company’s sister brand, Lively, is also available at this new 1766-square foot space offering swimsuits and loungewear. Added bonus? Wacoal fit experts are available in-store providing complimentary bra consultation including a “Touch-Free” option to help find the perfect fit. Noted: There’s a 30-50% discount on discontinued styles. (For Riverhead shoppers, there’s a new Wacoal there as well. The 2,000 square-foot store is located at 200 Tanger Mall #903, 855-215-5445)
#Retail Therapy
613 The Arches Circle, #613, 631-343-7143
The tagline of this 3,000-square-foot store owned by husband and wife team Shawn and Manika Bhathija is “a shopping experience so great you’ll swear it’s therapy.” And the trendy women’s styles along with budget-friendly prices may indeed be the fix for anything that ails. Shawn says the mix of cutoffs, cargo boyfriend shorts, crop tops, two-piece sets with halters and palazzo pants and floral Maxi dresses appeal to the 15-45 year-old set. And people buy in multiples, according to the owner. “You’re going on cruise or to Miami and you need like 10 outfits for day and evening. You could do it in our store without blinking an eye and people do.” A basic tee starts at $6 while a good pair of jeans runs $80. This is the second Tanger shop for the duo, (the first opened three years ago in Riverhead).
We-Desi
1088 The Arches Circle #1088, 631-667-4170, Wedesiny.com
Discover authentic Indian food at this 49-seat restaurant devoted to homestyle Indian cooking. Though the place shares a patio with Chipotle, the vibe is distinctly different with its large hand-painted mural, a standout in brilliant traditionally Indian jewel tones and intoxicating scents. Among the most popular dishes according to Jai Vachhani, the managing partner, are lamb chops marinated in yogurt and spices, ($21.49), chicken tikka ($14.49), goat curry ($19.49) and Nan breads, particularly the garlic variety ($5.49). The food concept is a welcome surprise to some, says Vachhani. “Nobody expected an Indian restaurant at Tanger. People love it and we’re getting a very good response.”
Offline by Aerie
152 The Arches Circle, #1620, 631-918-4092
The colorful, comfortable world of Offline boasts a deep selection of activewear offering staples such as leggings, bike shorts, tops, sports bras, fleece bottoms and accessories. Offline is a sub-brand of the popular Aerie and the company philosophy is to “remind women to slow down and take a minute for themselves.” Natch, the prices are discounted with bike shorts starting at $24.95, sports bras, $39.95 and snap-front fleece sweatshirts, $54.95.
Arteriors
605 Tanger Mall Rd. #605, 631-206-5845
Ask any good interior designer about Arteriors, the Dallas-based brand known for signature lighting, wall décor, furniture and accessories and they’ll give the nod. And it used to be that you had to go through a designer to get it. But now, in its first outlet location on the east coast, consumers can directly get their hands on samples, discontinued items and overstock from the company. “We’re known for our artistry methods, and great finishes,” says Barb Fuller, the vice president of marketing who describes the collection’s point of view as, “Taking inspiration from architecture, art and fashion.” Best news of all is that many of the items are up to 60% off the retail price. That translates into, for example, a high-end credenza that was $12,585 now selling for $5,000. In the mix, many lower priced items as well, such as marble-topped side tables for $400 lamps in the $300 range and accessories for under $50.
Casper Riverhead Outlet
408 Tanger Mall Drive, 646-889-1088
Sweet dreams may be in reach at Casper’s first location at Tanger where, in the 2,500-square-foot space, shoppers will find an extensive array of this top name brand’s sleep products at affordable prices including an assortment of final sale mattresses, pillows, bedding and furniture.
Colette Home Outlet
200 Tanger Mall Drive Suite 600 and 601, 631-727-7270
Tisha Colette is a big name in the consignment world specializing in fashion and home, with five stores — three in the Hamptons, one in Manhattan and most recently this one that exclusively features home décor and furniture. Says Colette, who moved her Water Mill store here, “We have everything that anyone would want today. It’s an eclectic mix,” noting that the inventory includes a wide variety of styles including traditional, midcentury modern and contemporary. The store, overall, is about 10,000 square feet, set in two separate spaces and Colette describes a lot of the merchandise as high end (much put up for consignment by Hamptons’ homeowners). Here you can find a standout knickknack for $25 to a beautiful, designer sofa for $1,500.
Pickleball Smash-It
200 Tanger Mall Drive #301, 516-613-7300, pickleballsmashit.com
Welcome to the mall, pickleball! An 8,000-square-foot former furniture store has been transformed into two pickleball courts where players of all ages and skill levels can dink, smash and of course, stay out of the kitchen. The facility is equipped with Bluetooth along with vending machines proffering paddles, balls, snacks and beverages. To schedule court time, you have to become a member (free). Reserving is done online and once players book a time, they’re given a code to get into the courts. Co-owner Christopher Wierzbicki calls it the “Airbnb of pickleball. It’s sort of self-service meets full service.” This is his second facility on Long Island, the first at the Samanea Mall in Westbury. “Most malls are going for more experiential offerings, that’s the trend now,” says Wierzicki of this novel concept. A court is $50 an hour, which may sound steep, but broken down is $12.50 per player.