On Friday, Nov. 15, the sparkling new Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna will open its doors to the public, just in time for all of the holiday shopping madness.

Ever since construction on the 350,000-square-foot open-air shopping mall got underway in March, Nebraskans yearning for something fresh, new and exciting to enter their shopping and dining lives have followed the project's progress with the intensity of a young child watching Christmastime toy commercials on TV.

The $112 million mall, located approximately 20 miles southeast of downtown Omaha at the confluence of U.S. Highways 31 and 6 and Interstate 80, is, to say the least, an upgrade from the 20-year-old outlet mall it is replacing, which was demolished this past spring.

Nebraska Crossing Outlets will offer 65 outlet or factory stores and retailers. Some of the most popular name brands include the following:

  • Columbia
  • Old Navy
  • Tommy Bahama
  • Forever 21
  • Bose

And to ensure you don't go hungry or thirsty during your visit, Nebraska Crossing serves up a cornucopia of fine eateries, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Big Cheese
  • Burger Star
  • Pieocracy
  • Bakery Express
  • Scooter's
  • Voodoo Taco