By Jennifer Tanner

The Valdosta Daily Times



LAKE PARK — Just a few years ago, people looking for variety, specialty items and women-specific name brands were driving past Lake Park Outlets on their way to larger cities. Linda Lester, the mall’s general manager, knew that things needed to be changed in order to keep people shopping in Lake Park.

Since that time, she along with new owners, contracted companies and community support have started an initiative to improve the mall, add variety and make shopping at Lake Park Outlets an overall enjoyable experience.

When Mike McMillen, Mike McMillen Jr. and Rich Rescigno of Lake Park Partners, LLC took over the mall, it didn’t take long before changes became apparent. They painted and renovated stores, remodeled public restrooms, enhanced the landscaping and stepped up the mall’s marketing program.

The Boyle Group, an outlet brokerage, was hired to help bring in more business. Quier Marketing was also hired to represent Lake Park Outlets at trade shows and to improve the mall’s leasing and marketing positions.

“We didn’t offer enough variety,” Lester said. “We needed name brands to attract regional shoppers and more importantly to keep local shoppers in this area.”

To do that, multiple types of stores were targeted, but an emphasis was placed on clothing outlets. Shoe stores were also a concern. While the outlet mall offered several athletic options, Lester really felt like the mall needed a high end dress shoe store.

The new owners brought several new stores in almost immediately. Bealls, Reebok, U.S. Golf, Christmas Factory and Bible Factory Outlet all became a part of Lake Park Outlets.

Lester and the local office encouraged several independent stores to join the mix including La Tienda Spanish Imports Outlet, Deli Delights and Jodi’s Accessories.

The brokerage firm is responsible for several new name brand stores that many local shoppers are especially happy to see. These include Textile Studios, Nine West, Liz Claiborne, Danskin, Haggar and Samsonite.

New opportunities for employment come with these new outlets who have increased employment by 70 jobs. The mall now employs close to 350 people.

Lake Park Outlets is leasing 32 of its possible 42 suites. Negotiations are in the works for many more stores, and each new addition makes the owners’ goal to become 100 percent leased even closer to being reached.



– Nine West

Store Manager: Lynn Raby

Suite 32B

Phone: (229) 559-8434

Nine West opened Memorial Day weekend in May. It offers a wide variety of attractive shoes for women is many different styles and sizes. From casual to dress shoes, women can find quality products and special sales like the current 30 percent off boots and buy one get 50 percent off select items. So far business has been steady at Nine West. It seems that the more people that find out Nine West is in Lake Park, the more traffic the store sees.



– Liz Claiborne

Manager: Connie King

Suite 29

Phone: (229) 550-1294



– Danskin

Store Manager: Lakeisha Marshall

Suite 26

Phone: (299) 559-1440

Danskin is a brand well known to dancers, and recently, to athletic women as well. The store opened locally June 30 with a good initial response from the public and it sees growth in business daily. Offering dance and athletic apparel for baby girls through adults, the company’s leaders consider the brand synonymous with femininity, fashion, innovation, quality, comfort and fit.



– Samsonite

Store Manager: Paula Farber

Suite 37

Phone: (229) 559-4737



Samsonite, a renown brand nationwide, has returned to Lake Park Outlets. Its first day was Sept. 9 and interest seems to be improving every day. The store originally closed shortly after September 11, 2001, when terrorist attacks made a devastating impact on the travel industry. As an outlet, this location offers more than the average department store at “better than department store” prices. The Lake Park store sells the complete collection of Samsonite products including travel solutions and accessories, suitcases, backpacks, duffle bags and briefcases.



– Haggar:

Store Manager: Frank Barbee

Suite 25

Phone: (229) 559-6655

Men looking for modern clothing in casual and business styles should visit Haggar, one of Lake Park Outlets newest addition. This men’s clothing store carries everything from “socks to suits but no underwear” for men. This includes leather, blazers, belts, khakis and also a golf line called Cool 18. Business seems to be best for Haggar on the weekends.





– La Tienda

Owners: Wayne and Phyllis Williams

Suite 35

Phone: (229) 559-9600

A locally owned, very unique store joined the Lake Park Factory Outlets on September 1. It sells a variety of “one-of-a-kind” items of Spanish origin including quality handcrafted solid wood rustic furniture, Mexican, Spanish and Portuguese pottery, hand painted ceramics, hand blown glass and iron-work wall-hangings, wine racks and plateholders. Special items include authentic Mexican Chimineas, which are outdoor fireplaces for patios and decks, and Talavera dishes and pottery. Owner Phyllis Williams said that business improves as more people are learn about her store and that many people seem excited about what it has to offer.



– Deli Delights:

Owner: Debbie Friedlein

Suite 18

Phone: (229) 559-4417

On Nov. 8 last year, Deli Delights became the only restaurant in Lake Park Factory Outlets. Offering a light menu of homemade soups, sandwiches and deserts, it delivers free to Lake Park businesses and opens for lunch at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Deviled eggs are one special delight made by owner Debbie Friedlein. Homemade chili will become a part of the new menu starting Nov. 1. Friedlein said that business had been up and down until the new stores opened. Now it is stable and better than ever.



– Jodi’s Accessories

Owner: Jodi Doss

Suite 32A

Phone: (229) 559-8197

Jodi’s Accessories opened a second location October 2004 after outgrowing its first location in Valdosta’s historic downtown. Owner Jodi Doss recently consolidated the two stores into one at the Lake Park Outlet mall because this location is more spacious and efficient than the Valdosta site. Jodi’s offers stylish accessories for women and girls including jewelry, bags, decor and much more.