Mall Madness: Mexicans Make Shopping Part of Semana Santa

March 20, 2008 - 12:14AM Clarissa Martinez/Valley Morning Star

MERCEDES - International shoppers have boosted the crowds and sales activity at Rio Grande Valley Outlets this week. Michele Rothstein, senior vice president of marketing for Chelsea Property Group, said the outlets advertised in Monterrey before Semana Santa - Holy Week - to reach the residents of that major Mexican city who intended to visit the Rio Grande Valley during the traditional vacation week."It's significantly busier," Rothstein said Wednesday. "It's not a typical March day."

But the rush was anticipated, Rothstein said, so stores' hours were extended to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. this week to accommodate the shoppers. Several stores will also be open on Easter Sunday, Rothstein said."This is our second Semana Santa, and it's been very busy," Rothstein said. "We've received good feedback, and the local hotel is at 100 percent occupancy."

Samuel Alatorre, 42, from Monterrey sat on a bench with his young son as the two waited for the rest of their family to complete their shopping. Alatorre said this week marked his first visit to the outlets."A couple of friends told us about (the outlets)," Alatorre said. "We were here a couple of days ago, but it was too windy. Now, it's nice."Alatorre said the family was preparing for summer by stopping at different clothing stores to find the right seasonal outfits."It's nice to have different types of malls that offer a different shopping experience," Alatorre said. "I just wish it wasn't so windy."

Alex Fernandez, 23, of Mexico, didn't let the wind, or crutches, slow down his shopping. Fernandez said his family of five was spending their second day at the outlets, since Monday's heat didn't provide the best shopping conditions for them."I plan to look mostly at all the electronics," Fernandez said.

Gustavo Omedo, 39, from Monterrey was waiting for his hotel shuttle to arrive so he could connect with his group as they left the outlets. Omedo said his family spent the beginning of the week in New Mexico, but stopped in the Valley to catch up on shopping."We won in the casinos and had some extra money so decided to come here," Omedo said. Although his family vacationed in New Mexico, Omedo said the Valley provided a different experience for them."We like to be here only for shopping," Omedo said.

Near the outlet's second phase expansion, families took photos of their children as they slid down the playground slides.Rothstein said at least six stores at the new division of outlets will open today - in time for shoppers to have a few new shopping choices. Rothstein confirmed that the launch of the new stores was set to coincide with Semana Santa. "Absolutely," Rothstein said. "Not all the stores will be open, but the facility will be ready." The center will be expanding to more than 140 stores, which will continue opening through 2008.The outlets, with more than 100 stores, will now become 575,000 square feet of gross leasable area.Chelsea Property Group and the city will hold the Phase II ribbon cutting ceremony for Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets at 9 a.m. on March 26.