Outlet Mall near Toledo?

There is one in Detroit, and one in Indiana right over the border directly off the turnpike. I like the one in Indiana. The one by Detroit has a lot of normal priced stores trying to look like an outlet.

I like these: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=51

Depending on what you're looking for there is an outlet center in Monroe.

http://www.factoryoutletstores.info/michigan/horizon-outlet-center-monroe.html

http://www.greatlakescrossingoutlets.com/

Be very careful with the outlet stores. Many of them, like the Gap chains (BR, Old Navy, etc), all manufacturer clothing especially for the outlet. They are made of cheaper materials and less stitching, but only go for a few bucks less than regular. The will all carry tags with 3 dots/stars on them.

Most "REAL" outlet merchandise that is authentic original items but with small defects/rejects will have the original label but cut in half or marked through.

I like the outlets in Fremont IN and the ones in Milan MI. Monroe is a joke!

Great Lakes Crossing looks like the biggest one...but is this just a regular mall dressed up as an outlet center?

Outlet mall? 1992 called and it's pissed that all of it's buildings are boarded up and parking lots are full of potholes. Try the internet for the best deals.

It is an indoor mall, but the stores there are definitely outlets, for the most part.

The other one that hasn't been mentioned is Birch Run - its a longer drive (2+ hours?) but they have a huge selection of stores.

Depends. Horizon, which had the one up in Monroe, just built a new one here 2 years back. It started with 350,000 sq ft of retail space and added an additional 30,000 sq ft at the end of last year. They are also putting plans to build out the third phase of the project. So it depends where you look. Of course the economy down here is night and day to up there. They are still functional in some areas where they aren't in others.

Where is this in Milan? Don't recall ever seeing one there.

Birch Run is probably the largest around. It's usually pretty packed with shoppers. Great Lakes Crossing has a few higher end outlets. Monroe has about 5 stores. There's one in Howell, MI.

That previous poster was correct: most of the big stores sell lower quality outlet-only goods.

It used to be that you could find decent items at outlets, but stores are better now at keeping their inventory low and less past season stuff is making it to the outlet. As others have noted, it is usually filled with things made specifically for the outlets. But Great Lakes Crossing is still worth it because they have Neiman Marcus and Saks outlets with quality items. Down the road from Somerset, there is a Nordstrom Rack, which is OK too.

Thanks everyone - Great Lakes Crossing looks like the best bet for us.