Original Outlet Mall
Original Outlet Mall was a former indoor outlet shopping center in Kenosha, Wisconsin, originally opened in 1982 as the Factory Outlet Centre.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Original Outlet Mall was an indoor outlet shopping center in Bristol, part of the Kenosha area of Wisconsin, United States. It opened on October 1, 1982, under the name Factory Outlet Centre and became the first outlet mall in Wisconsin. The property was developed by Kenneth B. Karl near the junction of Interstate 94 and Wisconsin Highway 50, a location intended to attract shoppers traveling between southeastern Wisconsin and the Chicago area. The center initially contained 27 stores in approximately 120,000 square feet of space. It expanded repeatedly during the 1980s, reaching about 117 stores and more than 400,000 square feet by 1990. Its customer base was heavily regional rather than local: contemporary reporting indicated that many visitors came from outside Kenosha, especially from the Chicago area. The mall’s original appeal was based on the concentration of factory outlets and discounted branded merchandise in a destination-style indoor shopping environment. Competition became increasingly difficult during the late 1980s and 1990s. Lakeside Marketplace, a smaller outlet center located roughly three miles to the south, opened in 1988 and offered merchandise positioned as more upscale while remaining convenient for Chicago-area shoppers. Gurnee Mills, a much larger shopping complex approximately 14 miles south in Illinois, opened in 1991 and further divided the regional outlet-shopping market. Later competition also came from newer centers such as the Johnson Creek Outlet Center and Prime Outlets Pleasant Prairie. The property changed ownership several times. Clearview Investments Ltd. of Arlington, Texas, purchased the mall for $17 million in January 1998 and announced plans to remodel it and attract replacement tenants. Later that year, the property adopted the Original Outlet Mall name. Jaeger & Jaeger of Deerfield, Illinois, acquired the mall in 2000. Occupancy was reported at approximately 80 percent at the time of that transaction and about 85 percent in 2001, but this remained weaker than the occupancy levels reported at some newer competing outlet centers. By late 2003, occupancy had fallen to approximately 61 percent. In January 2004, lenders GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation and LaSalle National Bank sought legal remedies, alleging default on a $20 million loan and requesting that the property be sold at a sheriff’s auction. The lenders took back the property in February 2004 and sought a new buyer. American Realty Advisors, in a joint venture with Tucker Development Corporation, acquired the site in December 2004. The partners initially planned to keep it operating as an outlet center while preparing a longer-term redevelopment into a roughly 300,000-square-foot community shopping center. Demolition began in the northern portion of the mall by January 2006. The remaining tenants were consolidated into the southern wing under short-term leases while redevelopment proceeded. By August 2006, demolition was complete and construction of an Ashley HomeStore was under way on part of the former mall site. Additional plans reportedly included three commercial buildings of approximately 8,000 square feet each, a 121-room hotel, and four future development lots. The original outlet mall therefore ceased to operate as a shopping center, and its site was transitioned toward broader community retail and commercial use.
History
Original Outlet Mall originated as the Factory Outlet Centre, developed by Kenneth B. Karl in Bristol, Wisconsin. Construction began in June 1982 near Interstate 94 and Wisconsin Highway 50, a transport-oriented location positioned to capture shoppers from southeastern Wisconsin and the Chicago region. The center opened on October 1, 1982, with 27 stores and approximately 120,000 square feet of retail space. Its opening made it the first outlet mall in Wisconsin. The property expanded several times during its first decade. By 1990, it contained about 117 stores across more than 400,000 square feet. Its trade area extended well beyond Kenosha, and reports from the period described the Chicago area as a particularly important source of visitors. The mall’s business model depended on destination shopping: customers traveled to a concentrated indoor complex offering factory outlets and discounted merchandise from multiple brands. The center’s competitive environment deteriorated as other outlet and value-oriented retail developments opened nearby. Lakeside Marketplace, located approximately three miles south, began operating in 1988. Although smaller, it offered a more upscale selection and was conveniently positioned for Chicago shoppers. Gurnee Mills opened approximately 14 miles south in 1991 and was substantially larger. In later years, outlet centers including Johnson Creek Outlet Center and Prime Outlets Pleasant Prairie also reported stronger occupancy and competed for the same regional customer base. Clearview Investments Ltd. of Arlington, Texas, purchased the mall for $17 million in January 1998. The new owner announced remodeling and tenant-recruitment plans, and the property was renamed Original Outlet Mall later in the year. Jaeger & Jaeger of Deerfield, Illinois, acquired the mall in 2000. Occupancy stood at roughly 80 percent at that point and rose to about 85 percent in 2001, but those figures lagged behind newer regional outlet properties. The recovery did not last. By late 2003, reported occupancy had declined to 61 percent. In January 2004, GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation and LaSalle National Bank initiated proceedings against the owners, alleging default on a $20 million loan and seeking a sheriff’s sale. The property was returned to the lenders in February 2004, after which they sought a buyer. American Realty Advisors acquired the site in December 2004 in a joint venture with Tucker Development Corporation. The new owners initially expected to continue outlet operations for a limited period, but their broader plan was to replace the aging mall with a community shopping center of approximately 300,000 square feet. Demolition of the northern section had begun by January 2006, while the remaining tenants operated from the southern wing on short-term leases. Demolition was complete by August 2006. Construction of an Ashley HomeStore was already under way, and additional plans included three smaller commercial buildings, a 121-room hotel, and four future development parcels. The outlet mall consequently became defunct and was replaced by a redevelopment-oriented commercial site.
- 2006
Mall demolished
[1]Demolition was completed and the site began transitioning to a community-oriented commercial development.
- 2004
Lender repossession and redevelopment ownership
[1]Following loan-default litigation, the lenders took back the property; American Realty Advisors and Tucker Development acquired it later that year.
- 2000
Jaeger & Jaeger purchase
[1]The property changed hands again, with reported occupancy of approximately 80 percent.
- 1998
Ownership change and rebranding
[1]Clearview Investments acquired the property, proposed remodeling, and changed its name to Original Outlet Mall.
- 1991
Gurnee Mills opens
[1]The opening of the much larger Gurnee Mills complex added a major competitor in the regional outlet market.
- 1990
Early expansion reaches peak scale
[1]The center had grown to approximately 117 stores and more than 400,000 square feet.
- 1988
Lakeside Marketplace opens nearby
[1]A competing outlet center opened roughly three miles south, increasing pressure on the original mall.
- 1982
Factory Outlet Centre opens
[1]The original outlet center opened in Bristol, Wisconsin, with 27 stores and approximately 120,000 square feet, becoming Wisconsin’s first outlet mall.
Products and positioning
A regional, destination-oriented indoor outlet mall serving southeastern Wisconsin and Chicago-area shoppers through a large concentration of discounted factory-outlet stores.
Outlet retail · 1982
Factory-outlet retail stores
The mall’s principal offering was a large collection of factory-outlet stores selling discounted branded merchandise. The available mix included apparel, footwear, accessories, household goods, and other general merchandise, although the specific tenant roster changed over the property’s operating life.
Shopping center · 1982
Indoor outlet shopping destination
As an indoor regional shopping center, Original Outlet Mall provided a consolidated destination for value-oriented shopping. At its largest reported scale, the complex accommodated approximately 117 stores in more than 400,000 square feet.
Brand decisions
2004
Transition from outlet mall to community shopping centerStrategyBackground
Occupancy had declined substantially, and the property faced pressure from newer regional outlet centers.
Action taken
American Realty Advisors and Tucker Development planned to operate the site temporarily before redeveloping it into an approximately 300,000-square-foot community shopping center.
Aftermath
The mall was demolished in phases in 2005 and 2006. An Ashley HomeStore was built on part of the property, with additional commercial and hotel development planned.
1998
Rebranding and proposed remodelingStrategyBackground
Clearview Investments acquired the property amid growing competition from nearby outlet centers and sought to improve its ability to attract tenants and shoppers.
Action taken
The owner announced remodeling plans and renamed the Factory Outlet Centre as Original Outlet Mall later in the year.
Aftermath
The property continued operating, but later occupancy weakened and the mall ultimately moved toward redevelopment.
Acquisition price. $17 million (January 1998)
Recent events
- 2006
Demolition begins and mall site is redeveloped[1]
Other
The northern portion was demolished first, remaining tenants were consolidated into the southern wing, and the entire mall was removed by August. An Ashley HomeStore was under construction on part of the site.
- 2004
Lenders pursue sale after alleged loan default[1]
Lawsuit · Bankruptcy
After occupancy declined to about 61 percent, GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation and LaSalle National Bank sought legal action over an alleged default on a $20 million loan and requested a sheriff’s auction.
- 2004
American Realty Advisors and Tucker Development acquire the site[1]
M&A
The lenders later transferred or sold the property to American Realty Advisors and Tucker Development, which planned to operate the outlet center temporarily before redeveloping it.
- 2000
Jaeger & Jaeger acquires Original Outlet Mall[1]
M&A
Jaeger & Jaeger purchased the property when reported occupancy was approximately 80 percent.
- 1998
Clearview Investments acquires and rebrands the property[1]
M&A
Clearview Investments Ltd. bought the mall for $17 million, announced remodeling plans, and later changed its name from Factory Outlet Centre to Original Outlet Mall.
- 1991
Gurnee Mills intensifies regional competition[1]
Other
The opening of the substantially larger Gurnee Mills outlet complex south of Bristol put additional pressure on the Factory Outlet Centre’s regional customer base.
- 1990
Factory Outlet Centre expands to more than 400,000 square feet[1]
Other
After several early expansions, the center reached approximately 117 stores and more than 400,000 square feet, with much of its trade coming from outside Kenosha.
- 1988
Lakeside Marketplace adds local outlet competition[1]
Other
The opening of Lakeside Marketplace about three miles south introduced a nearby competing outlet center with a more upscale merchandise mix.
- 1982
Factory Outlet Centre opens in Bristol with 27 stores[1]
Other
The outlet center opened to the public on October 1 with 27 stores occupying approximately 120,000 square feet. It became Wisconsin’s first outlet mall.
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