MONROE — Theresa Lynch of Lebanon decided to attend the grand opening of the new Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe on Thursday, Aug. 6, to see what all the excitement was all about.

“I just wanted to see what was here. It’s nice to have it close to home so I don’t have to go to Jeffersonville,” she said while heading to her car to place two shopping bags of shoes in her truck.

“I think it’s great and I love the set up. It’s easier to get around (than Jeffersonville). It looks nicer and it’s a little more upscale. It also has a great selection of stores.”

Lynch was just one of many hundreds of people who made the trek to visit the $100 million outlet center, which opened its doors at 9 a.m. near Ohio 63, off Interstate 75 in Warren County. The 400,000-square-foot mall features a racetrack design, which is meant to provide easy access to the stores that include Banana Republic, Coach, Cole Haan, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth.

The mall is the 41st outlet center in the United States — 51st worldwide — that is owned and operated by Chelsea Property Group, a division of Simon Property Group, said Kori Mallett, a representative for Cincinnati Premium Outlets. Molly Hinker of Monroe said she came to the mall in search of deals for herself and her 1-year-old daughter, Caroline.

“I’m looking for shoes for her and for myself, and I’m looking for fall clothes. I’m a teacher so I need a new fall wardrobe,” said Hinker who teaches eighth-grade history at Loveland Middle School.

She said she is impressed with the open-air feeling and easy access to the stores in the mall.

“I love it. I think it’s really nice. I like how it’s outside, but kind of inside at the same time. Really good for winter and rain ...,” she said while looking up at an overhead canopy.

“I like the way it’s organized ... like the circle (design).” About 70 of the 100 designer and name brand outlet stores welcome shoppers with giveaways and discounts.

Banana Republic’s Factory Store gave away one $100 gift card on Thursday, but is planning to have giveaways all weekend that includes 40 percent off all purchases storewide with no exclusions, said Clint Adams, store manager.

“We’ve been swamped. We’re really doing well. Better than we planned,” he said.

The Brooks Brothers Factory Store also gave away one $100 gift card during the grand opening celebration and plans to continue offering 15 percent off all purchases in the store through Sept. 8, in addition to any other sales items, said Nathan Morgan, store manager.

“We’ve had a really great response. People seem to be enjoying what we have to offer,” he said.

Rose Payne of Lebanon said she is thankful the area finally has a mall close by.

“We needed something like this here because there’s nothing in Lebanon really: Walmart, Target and Kohl’s. I like the variety here,” she said.