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The state's newest outlet mall, the 80-store Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods Resort Casino, held its grand opening Thursday, and shoppers from across the state and throughout New England turned out for the retail event.

HGTV stars Jonathan and Drew Scott of "The Property Brothers," along with Tanger and Foxwoods executives, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., as bargain hunters began lining up at popular stores in the complex.

Anchored by a 20,000 square-foot H&M store, the outlet center features Under Armour, Old Navy, Coach, White House Black Market, Gap, Kay Jewelers, Nike, Skechers, Gymboree, Talbots, Kate Spade New York and other retailers.

Mary Elrick and her daughter Meaghan left their home in Bedford, NH, at 6:45 a.m. to get to the casino outlets in time to see the "Property Brothers'' and to check out the deals.

"We each took the day off from work," says Mary Elrick. "We've already hit Charlotte Russe, Nike, Under Armour and Tommy Hilfiger. We're on to Talbots next."

Kate Spade New York Manager Lisa Welsh said sales were already exceeding expectations.

"Customers were waiting for us to open the doors," says Welsh. "People came ready to spend."

Many of the stores offered opening weekend specials. Window signs such as "50% Off Everything" were common and Tanger staff circulated through the crowds distributing coupons for additional discounts. H&M gave out shopping totes. Skechers held prize drawings. At the center's Shopper Services, AARP, AAA members and active military could pick up a free coupon book for more savings.

Festivities included mini-styling sessions, a design workshop with the Scott brothers and an Instagram Tech Lounge where shoppers could recharge phones and post selfies to enter to win prizes.

Tiffani Kaminski, an eighth-grade science teacher from Westerly, RI, played hooky to be one of the first to shop the complex.

"I love outlet shopping, and they've got some great deals here," says Kaminski, who had made purchases at Bath & Body Works, Gap and Kay Jewelers. "This place is just 10 minutes from where I live. I think I'm going to be here a lot over the summer."

That's the attitude developers are looking for. With the outlets, the resort casino is making a major bid to court customers who aren't necessarily interested in gambling.

"We expect to get a different crowd than at our other outlets," says Walsh. "We'll get the high-rolling gambling customer from Boston or Newark. We'll get the locals who will come just for the deals. We'll also get folks who come for a little bit of both."

This includes shoppers like Carol Thomas of Bridgeport, who had purchased a bag at Wilsons Leather and was planning to check out the rest of the stores before heading down to the casino.

"As long as I'm here, I'm going to do it all," she says.

Opening festivities will continue through the weekend, including a high-wire tightrope walk by aerialist Nik Wallenda scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m.

The outlet center can be entered from the Grand Pequot Tower and the Fox Tower. (You have to go through the casino to get to the stores.) Store hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit tangeroutlets.com/Foxwoods.

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