For decades, Reading stood proudly as the Outlet Capital of the World—a destination so unique that millions of shoppers traveled here for bargains they couldn’t find anywhere else. Bus tours packed the parking lots. Industrial buildings buzzed with activity. And the VF Outlet [...]
Gather ‘round, ye seekers of discounted fleece, for the tale of the Redding Pennsylvania outlets—er, Reading Pennsylvania outlets (curse that silent “a”)—is a yarn spun from the looms of history, greed, and polyester blends. Once the crowned jewel of America’s bargain empire, this [...]
At one time Reading was dominated by textile manufacturers. By the 1960s and early 1970s most of the textile companies moved south, but a couple that remained - Talbott and David Crystal – had outlets, mainly for women’s clothing. Under the leadership of [...]
Around 1992, 8 million people used to shop the Reading area outlets each year. People would drive from near and far to shop in the old knitting and textile mills that were converted into more than 300 outlet stores. The number of shops [...]
Outlets first appeared in the Eastern United States in the 1930s. Factory stores started to offer damaged or excess goods to employees at a low price. After some time, the audience expanded to include non-employees. In 1936, Anderson-Little (a men's clothing brand) opened [...]
