Multiple Outlet Mall Proposals Keeping Tulsa Indoor Malls 'On Their Toes'

Three developers have plans to build outlet malls in Tulsa, and one of those developers unveiled its plans for east Tulsa Wednesday.

But questions like, can Tulsa support three new outlet malls alongside with Promenade and Woodland Hills? Could the indoor mall be going extinct? And will it happen here in Tulsa?

Mall madness ensued in the 1980s, and during that time here in Tulsa, Eastland Mall thrived along with Promenade Mall - both with anchor stores like Mervyn's, JCPenney and Dillard's.

Woodland Hills Mall was not yet the shiny mega-mall it is today.

Since the 1990s, however, indoor shopping malls have been in decline. There's even a website devoted to "dead malls" and the once thriving Eastland Mall is on the list.

Wednesday, Horizon Group Properties, the developer of Oklahoma City's outlet mall, laid out its plan to build an outlet mall in Tulsa on the southeast corner of I-44 and I-244.

10/22/2014 Related Story: Developers Release Renderings Of Proposed Tulsa Outlet Mall

Promenade General Manager Tina Crosley said she's nervous, because there's not just one outlet mall coming, there could be three.

"It makes us be on our toes. It holds us accountable to our shoppers," she said.

Simon Properties, the owner of Woodland Hills Mall, also wants to build an outlet mall east of Highway 75 and 61st Street.

8/19/2014 Related Story: Developer Confirms Premium Outlet Mall Coming To Tulsa

The Cherokee Nation also just announced plans for an outlet mall near Hard Rock Casino.

9/10/2014 Related Story: Cherokee Nation Announces $80M Entertainment District Addition To Hard Rock

"It's a new thing. People are going to be curious about it. It's going to take away from our sales for the first couple of months, maybe even a year,” Crosley said.

Promenade, is 86 percent occupied, not counting seasonal tenants.

The shopping center celebrates 50 years next year; and its customers think Promenade will outlive any new outlet.

"Cause some people are still, like, anti-outlet malls," said shopper Lori Martin.

Shopper, Maria Gutierrez said, "The clothes here are still pretty good."

The Promenade general manager said the mall's biggest threat is rumors that they are closing. She hopes Tulsans will stay loyal to the center that's served the community for generations.