The Mills Turns Out Bargains

By Nancy Dunham

This might sound ridiculous considering the holiday shopping season has just passed, but you do not want to miss Potomac Mills Mall. Yes, you’ve heard us say that before but this is really the time to find amazing bargains.

Doubt that?

Consider when large groups of visitors come to the D.C. area, one of the top attractions they want to visit is this mall — many simply call “The Mills.” I’ve seen numerous government visitors with only four free hours on jam-packed itineraries opt to visit that mall instead of any other site. There are even dozens of blog postings about the joys of The Mills such as this one titled "This Must Be What Heaven Is Like."

If you’re like my husband, you likely wonder how great this mall can be. It’s a fair question. Whenever we drive through the southeast states, my husband always comments about the factory outlets that dot the landscape. Frankly, how many legitimate “outlets” are out there? Beats me, but it’s clear that The Mills is one of the great ones. There are not only more than 200 stores — including Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet Off 5th, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Nordstrom Rack — but they have legitimate bargains.

Department store and boutiques in the Washington, D.C. area have always been first-rate and now that Michelle Obama has boosted the fashion watch, they have blossomed. You can’t walk a block in Georgetown, Chevy Chase or other retail centers, without finding must-have designer jewelry, bags, shoes and clothes.

The problem, of course, is the prices. As corny as it sounds, that’s why fashion-conscious locals head to The Mills. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve kicked myself because a friend has told me about a bargain find — I love purses so it’s usually a designer bag — I had missed just because I didn’t visit.

Remember that there are also great finds for the house and garden there too. Ikea and Costco are bargain-hunters’ paradise.

Potomac Mills Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. It’s located at 2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Woodbridge, Va., 22912, just off I-95.

Directions:
From the North:
Take I-95 south and exit on 158B to Prince William Parkway. At the fourth stoplight, take a left onto Worth Avenue. After two traffic lights, Worth Avenue comes to a "T" at Potomac Mills Circle. You've arrived at Potomac Mills.

From the South
Take I-95 north and exit on 158B to Prince William Parkway. At the fourth stoplight, take a left onto Worth Avenue. After two traffic lights, Worth Avenue comes to a "T" at Potomac Mills Circle. You've arrived at Potomac Mills!

For more information, including directions, call 703-496-9330 or click here.