Tulsa Outlet Mall Draws Large Crowds With Minimal Traffic Disruptions

The Tulsa Outlet Mall in Jenks was busy soon after daylight on Thursday morning, and several waves of people arrived — first for the 10 a.m. opening and again after school let out.

Jenks Police developed a traffic plan for the opening of the outlet mall and it worked like a charm.

Related: Jenks Prepares For Heavy Traffic As Tulsa Premium Outlet Mall Opens

About the time the first day of school traffic died down in Jenks, the first-day traffic heading to the outlet mall picked up.

The expectation of cars by the hundreds was correct — the prediction of major problems on the first day was not.

“We had a good plan, and I think it's working out,” said Chief Jason Jackson.

Simon Malls did not have a solid estimate on the number of shoppers, but the main parking lots were full, and several overflow lots were too.

“I can tell they're still kind of developing parking, but for it to be the first day, we got in pretty smooth,” said shopper Ryan Smith. “It wasn't too bad.”

The city had several extra years to develop roads around its outlet mall, so even on a peak shopping day, the Creek Turnpike wasn't impacted, and only the main road into the property was congested.

“We got here about 9, and it was easy to get in,” said Leif Gist. “We had to drive a friend in, and getting back in was a little bit harder. Finding a spot took more time, but it wasn't bad.”

 “Very busy, lots of people,” said Harleigh Fritts. “Everyone is getting in the stores. Everyone has been really, really, nice.”

Jenks Police put officers in cars around the edges, and the mall had people directing shoppers, so traffic inbound was slow but rarely stopped.

Chief Jackson: “I think everything went very well. People I talked to said it took about 10-15 minutes to get in here, and we haven't had any issues as such,” Chief Jackson said.

The mall management expects another surge on Saturday, the last weekend before the start of school for several districts.