THE BRIGHTEST GEM OF THE MIDWEST

It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes wide open when in Rosemont, as you just never know who you might see walking right next to you.

“Especially on the weekends, I often will get a message from our security team saying that some big superstar performing at the Allstate Arena or at Joe’s Live that night was here shopping at Burberry during the day,” laughs Katie Walsh, Senior Marketing Manager at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. “I love it, but we never know in advance. You just never know.”

Certainly, the bustling entertainment and shopping district is a must visit for those from all walks of life, providing a walkable adventure of sorts where one can enjoy everything from a delectable meal to a baseball game to a death-defying skydive.

“There just always seems to be an electricity in the air here in Rosemont,” explains Walsh, who also serves as VP of the Rosemont Chamber of Commerce. “It’s hard to explain, but you really can feel it.”

Long serving as the centerpiece of Rosemont’s bustling entertainment district is the world class shopping opportunities at Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

“It once was this amazing anomaly that didn’t exist,” remembers Walsh of the early days of Fashion Outlets of Chicago. “It was an indoor outlet mall. It was located near an airport and only 15 miles from Chicago. And at that time, typical outlet malls were usually more in a cornfield.”

But not Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

Today, located smack dab in the middle of Rosemont, Fashion Outlets of Chicago is home to over 130 designer outlet retailers, many of which are the brand’s only Midwest outlet locations. Popular retailers include lululemon, Aritzia, Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Nike, and Polo Ralph Lauren.

“It’s these luxury brands that differentiate us from any of our other competitors in the market,” explains Walsh. “We recently opened a SAINT LAURENT and a Versace store, and our Brunello Cucinelli store expanded. These are luxury brands that you can’t find the outlet version of anywhere else in the Midwest.”

And while discriminating bargain hunters come from all over the country to stroll the luxurious wares of Fashion Outlets of Chicago while also partaking in a bite at the new French street food grab-and-go concept called Mari Pari, so do local shoppers who have realized that they have a goldmine right here in their own backyard.

“Brands like lululemon and Nike and Under Armour continue to attract the more local resident who’s looking for those brands at a steal of a deal,” explains Walsh, who has worked with Fashion Outlets of Chicago for the past eight years. “There’s really something for everyone.”

Specifically, Rosemont serves as an easy, drivable destination for Barrington residents, providing the most discerning of shoppers a way to enjoy incredible shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings all in one place. It’s also quickly becoming a nighttime destination for all those who would rather not drive into the city of Chicago once the sun goes down.

“There is a wide variety of options here as we are home to more than 40 restaurants, including two new additions: Saltwater Coastal Grill and Land & Lake,” Walsh continues. “If you are looking for a fun, BBQ sort of energy, you can go to Bub City. If you want something special for the kids, you can go to Sugar Factory. And if you want a high-end, upscale dinner, you can go anywhere from Gibson’s to Morton’s to Carmine’s.”

And there is no doubt that summer is the perfect time to give Rosemont a visit. Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district will host a variety of free summer events including free summer concerts by classic cover bands (followed by post-show fireworks on Thursdays and Monday, July 3) and free yoga, Zumba, and powHerhouse classes.

There are also several upcoming shows and conventions at the Allstate Arena Rosemont Theatre and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, including Bryan Adams at the Allstate Arena on July 2, the Illinois Bridal & Wedding Expo at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on June 11, the Anime Midwest at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on July 7-9, and the Midwest Classic Car Super Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on July 16.

And yes, even Walsh finds herself drawn to spend as much time as she can in Rosemont. “Over the past eight years, I have really figured out just how amazing Rosemont is as a village,” she gushes. I live in Villa Park, so I’m right by Oak Brook Center, but if I’m being honest, we end up in Rosemont all the time for different activities. There’s just so many unique things you can do here. You really can fill a whole day.”

For more information, visit fashionoutletsofchicago.com.