Phoenix Premium Outlets
The Phoenix Premium Outlets opened their doors to shoppers yesterday with special promotions, live music and more that will continue through the weekend (April 4 - 7, 2013). There are over 90 stores to choose from, most are already open with a few slated to open over the next few months.
Opening Weekend Schedule of Special Events
Friday, April 15
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Otis and the Beat: Classic Rock Cover Band
Noon - 2 p.m. Barrel Boy from KNIX (102.5 FM)
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Dina Preston Band: Live Acoustic Entertainment
Saturday, April 6
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mike and T: Music of the 60's - 80's
Noon - 2 p.m. AJ from Mix (96.9 FM)
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Red House Family Jazz: Live Blues Entertainment
Sunday, April 7
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Scott Hallock: Classic Acoustic Rock Cover Band
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Canyon Walls: Live Acoustic Entertainment
The new Premium Outlets are located on tribal land, adjacent to the Sheraton at Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino. I visited the outlets during their grand opening yesterday to bring you a sneak peek of this new Phoenix shopping destination.
The outlets are designed to represent a racetrack, where you can make a loop to shop. There's also a food court with a few choices available now with more opening over the next few months. I noticed that there was plenty of shade with large fans and misters blowing to keep shoppers cool. Of course, you'll spend most of your time inside the air conditioned comfort of your favorite stores.
The Phoenix Premium Outlets are located at 4976 Premium Outlets Way in Chandler.
Top 10 Things to See and Do In Phoenix
Phoenix’s perpetual sunshine might tempt you to spend all your free time sipping frozen beverages next to a swimming pool. Don’t give in. Exploring the Sonoran Desert’s horizons will broaden yours.
Nearly every outdoors-loving Phoenix local has, at some time or another, started his or her day with a hike to the top of Camelback Mountain. The city’s most famous landmark resembles a dromedary camel in repost, and the mountain challenges hikers with a rugged but rewarding trek to its 2,700-foot “hump”. Visitors who prefer not to scale Camelback can still gawk at it from a nearby restaurant patio.
- Musical Instrument Museum
Phoenix’s newest must-see attraction is the first museum in the world dedicated to the celebration of global instruments. This $250 million museum features a collection of more than 15,000 instruments – including the last guitar Elvis played in concert.
As its name suggests, this outdoor museum showcases desert plants – and not just those native to the Southwest. Among the succulents that adorn the garden’s 50-acre grounds are endangered desert species from around the world, including Dali-esque trees from North Africa and sprawling cactuses from Mesopotamia.
4. Golf
Greater Phoenix is home to more than 200 golf courses, many designed by legends of the game such as Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Check out stay-and-play packages at area resorts before you come, and consider playing one of Phoenix’s true desert layouts.
5. Heard Museum
The Heard is Arizona’s most famous museum. The traditional and contemporary art on display provides insight into the culture of Arizona’s 22 Native American tribes. Not to be missed is the haunting exhibit on Indian boarding schools. The Heard Museum Shop is one of the best places in Phoenix to buy authentic American Indian jewelry, pottery, paintings, sculpture and weavings.
Located near the famed Arizona Biltmore resort, this fashionable shopping desintation has a garden-park courtyard, upscale retailers and plenty of dining options. Be sure to check out the Fashion Park’s newest addition: UNION, a wing of locally owned boutiques.
A major player in the Southwest’s art landscape, Phoenix Art Museum showcases an impressive collection of European, Asian, Latin American, Western American and contemporary pieces. Be sure to check out the sculpture garden, Museum Store and the museum restaurant, Palette.
- Pizzeria Bianco
Occupying a city block in downtown Phoenix, Heritage Square is home to the Arizona Science Center. But go for the food. Pizzeria Bianco serves pizza that a New York Times food critic deemed the best in the country, and Nobuo at Teeter House is an Asian-style teahouse by day and a funky izakaya by night.
The Old West and New West converge in Old Town Scottsdale, where galleries dedicated to American Indian and cowboy arts share a pedestrian-friendly streetscape with shops that sell Southwestern jewelry and crafts. Nearby, you’ll find some of Greater Phoenix’s finest restaurants and trendiest nightlife.
10. Taliesin West
- Taliesin West
The sprawling wonder at the foot of the McDowell Mountains was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s most famous architect. Wright constructed Taliesin West from sand, gravel and stone he found on the mountain’s talus slope. It’s open to the public for tours.
Union at Biltmore Fashion Park
Finding local treasures can often be like a scavenger hunt. Local favorites are often tucked away in little corners and alleys only known by uber-hip residents who whisper their secrets to those deemed worthy. But now with the opening of Union at Biltmore Fashion Park you don't have to search or wait for a tip from those holding the secrets of Phoenix’s local treasures .
Union is a new concept that houses an eclectic mix of 18 small, distinct boutiques – many of which already have a loyal following of those in-the-know Phoenicians. There’s also a casual eatery, Trattoria del Piero brought to Central Phoenix by the Queen Creek Olive Mill that operates the same concept at in Queen Creek.
Right now at Union you’ll find:
Bonafide Goods brought to Union by the folks behind The Clotherie. Bonafide Goods offers a modern interpretation of classic American men’s clothing, hats and accessories, and will also house Phoenix’s first micro-haberdashery.
Citrine Natural Beauty Bar offers discerning beauty and makeup buffs all-natural, organic skincare, beauty products and custom fragrances for those who love to pamper their skin naturally without harsh chemicals or parabens.
Customatic.com brings together years of experience designing and building great architecture, furniture and interior items to create custom pieces for the modern home.
Oils and Olives by Queen Creek Olive Mill is the Central Phoenix outlet of its popular branded products. Customers can explore the vast selection of signature extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, stuffed olives, and tapenades along with bath and body products made with extra virgin olive oil, daily fresh baked breads and a unique selection of other local treasures.
For the People is a modern gift and home accessories store with a focus on functional design. Featuring brands such as Alessi, the store gives customers access to great lifestyle design products and gives talented local designers an exciting venue to show and sell their work.
Frances, owned by local entrepreneur Georganne Bryant, is the second location of the popular boutique that carries women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, books, paper goods, novelty items and art.
Frances & Charlie Newsstand has hand-selected gifts including jewelry, candles, paper goods and books, as well as a variety of magazines, newspapers and specialty publications featuring fashion, design, art, living and global news.
Lilly is a vintage-inspired women's boutique offering the latest fashion apparel, celebrity jewelry lines, chic and unique housewares, distinctive gifts, handbags, accessories and much more.
British Bicycle Company carries a wide assortment beautiful, unique high-quality bicycles and accessories from England.
Me Myself & Eye, a sunglass boutique pushes the boundaries of expectation, self expression and individuality by offering the highest quality of fashion-forward sunglasses, readers and accessories. Operated by the owners of Sassy Glasses Optical Boutique, Me Myself & Eye offers the same superior customer service as its parent store with a focus on unique sunglasses and readers.
Paris Envy relocated their 7th Avenue shop to Union at the Biltmore. They offer a collection of handcrafted vintage-inspired home furnishings and home decor along with jewelry, candles, gifts and exclusive lines for baby and child. French industrial chic may best describe pieces such as zinc-topped dining tables and hand-strung crystal chandeliers.
R & R Surplus carries women's active wear that can be worn on the street or in the studio. These relaxed yet fashionable clothes are from the creators of Fitigues.
Royal Coffee opened their second location at Union at the Biltmore, brewing their popular roasts alongside a selection of fresh pastries.
Smeeks relocated to Union and brought along their assortment of sweet treats and toys, offering the best old-time favorites – from handcrafted lollipops, toffee, caramels and marshmallows to yo-yos and shrinky-dinks.
Trattoria del Piero brings the dedication and passion for good food found at del Piero at the Mill in Queen Creek. Featuring all new simple and delicious sandwiches and salads, the menu will include the famous Kalamata sandwich as well as signature cocktails. Using family recipes, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils and the best local and seasonal ingredients, del Piero has garnered both local and national acclaim and was featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate” in 2010. The menu exemplifies a dedication to delicious, healthy and uncomplicated food. Trattoria del Piero serves breakfast, lunch and has a full service restaurant for the evenings complimented by a full bar.
White House Flowers is an appealing, one-of-a-kind florist offering home accessories, gifts and repurposed and renewed treasures with a casual urban look, as well as traditional European-style furnishings.
Whoopie Baking Company brings their signature whoopie pies in assorted flavors such as Spicy Pumpkin, Mimosa, Sweet & Salty and Peanut Butter Cup to Union, as well as sell the specialty ingredients related to the sweet treats including salted caramel and marshmallow fluff. Dog lovers can pick up a special treat – woofie pies for their beloved canine companions.
The Willows Home and Garden offers simple yet sophisticated home décor items along with apparel and in-home design services. They carry antique objects and a beautiful selection of exclusive lines including: Bella Notte Linens, Italian Vietri table top dishes, Michael Stars t-shirts, CP Shade apparel and a variety of unusual jewelry.
Union is located at the Arizona Biltmore Fashion Park at 2502 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix.
Muse Apparel
I love shopping at local boutiques where I can find my favorite designers sharing the rack with unique local finds. That’s the case at Muse Apparel in central Phoenix.
You can expect to want to buy everything at Muse Apparel and you can also expect awesome customer service. I also appreciate that Muse Apparel caters to all budgets. You can find the hottest designer jeans for $150, or you can pick up some trendy shoes or jewelry at budget-friendly prices.
Last time I was in I picked up some cute gold earrings that I have been wearing non-stop all summer. I also noticed they carry Flipped Bird handbags that are made locally in Phoenix. (Which make great gifts by the way.)
Muse Apparel is located at 742 E. Glendale Avenue in Phoenix.
Arizona Made
Miss Arizona when you leave? Order or take home these Arizona-made products to get you by until your next visit!
Queen Creek Olive Mill Olive Oil
The Queen Creek Olive Mill is Arizona’s only olive mill, producing extra virgin olive oil and a variety of flavored olive oil. Flavors vary from truffle to chocolate to bacon!
Cosanti Originals
Windbells designed by world-renowned architect Paolo Soleri are handmade and come in a variety of designs. Proceeds help fund Arcosanti, Soleri’s experimental eco-community near Cordes Junction.
Carolina’s Tortillas
When in Arizona stock up on the best tortillas in town from Carolina’s. Our family and friends are known to fill their suitcases with the paper thin, melt-in-your-mouth delicious flour tortillas.
Arizona Wine
Arizona wine has been receiving quite a bit of attention these days. Leaders in the Arizona wine business like Arizona Stronghold and Pillsbury Wine Company have been making strides in getting Arizona wines on the map.
Arizona Beer
Four Peaks Brewing, San Tan Brewing and Sonoran Brewing are just a few of the Arizona craft beers that have been gaining popularity. While in town enjoy some of the classics like Four Peak’s Kilt Lifter and then grab a six pack to enjoy back at home.
Refresh Glass
If you’re wondering what all of the locals do with their leftover Arizona wine bottles, you’ll know when you see the vases, glass and more from Refresh Glass.
Holy Piñata
Do you cactus Phoenix? New York has its heart, we have a cactus. Holy Piñata created their “I cactus PHX” t-shirts out of a love for Phoenix and as a way to help the local community by donating 10% of every sale to a local charity.
Cactus Candy
Cactus Candy has been made in Phoenix since 1942, using Arizona prickly pear juice. The company also manufactures jellies, salsas and syrups made of products found in the Sonoran Desert.
Fairytale Brownies
These may well be the perfect brownies. Gooey, crunch and oh so choclately – we recommend buying an extra box or two.
Phoenix Mercantile Salon and Vintage Boutique
If you love vintage, you are going to love Mercantile. Located in downtown Phoenix at Central and just North of McKinley Mercantile is a salon/vintage boutique. This boutique is not like most vintage stores. Carefully curated vintage clothes are in tip top shape and very affordable. My favorite part is you don't have to dig for hours on end to find something cute.
Mercantile carries men’s and women’s vintage clothing and accessories.
Mercantile 828 North Central Avenue, Phoenix.
























































