Bargain-seeking Winnipeggers flood opening of outlet mall

Winnipeggers are known to love a good deal and some 2,000 waited in line on Wednesday to be the first inside the city's much-anticipated outlet mall.

Outlet Collection Winnipeg, first announced in early 2015, held its grand opening and the first people in line said they arrived at midnight and endured overnight rain, but it was all worth it.

"It rained a lot. We got pretty wet," said Aidan McKay, one of four 17-year-olds who camped out in sleeping bags to get the first crack at Nike's stuff.

"It was uncomfortable," Matt McLuckie said. "But it was a fun experience."

The first 1,000 people in line were given $30 gift certificates to spend at any of the mall's 100 retailers.

Among the stores in the 400,000-square-foot mall are 30 newcomer outlets to the Winnipeg market, including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Calvin Klein Outlet and Designer Shoe Warehouse.

Among those in attendance at the grand opening event were Premier Brian Pallister, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, and city Coun. Marty Morantz.

Outlet Collection Winnipeg is across from Ikea at Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway.