There are two itinerary options thatjust about every tour has in com-mon. Your travelers are going to

eat and they’re going to shop. We could go on for days about the

culinary substance of Virginia. How-ever, the sheer number of shopping alternatives is one of the main rea-sons that tours choose Virginia. Frommajor malls to specialty shops to artist galleries, there are plenty of shoppingoptions available. For now, though, our focus is for the bargain-hunting, discount-seeking, outlet junkies.

Tidewater & Hampton RoadsFor over 60 years Williamsburg

Pottery has been welcoming groups. In1938 the pottery was founded by JamesE. Maloney to make 18th century saltglaze pottery reproductions and sellthem at discounted prices. Since thenthe pottery has grown to more than 200acres, hosting three million annual vis-itors and exceeding 70,000 items.

What’s old, though, will soon be new,as Williamsburg Pottery has announcedplans for a $20-million makeover. The146,800-square-foot retail project willinclude three separate buildings in a traditional European market theme.

36 February 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com

Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, located

just 15 minutes from Dulles Airport, offers

shoppers more than 100 stores.

Outlet stores tempt group travelers withhefty discounts on national brands and the best of made-in-Virginia products

on location: south � dave bodle

VirginiaOutletShopping

VirginiaOutletShopping

Construction began in December andan April 2012 grand opening is antici-pated to commemorate the 100th birth-day of the founder.

Other features of the new Williams-burg Pottery are a courtyard with a stagefor live music and performances, plusinside/outside seating at the Café &Bakery and Deli. The pottery will con-tinue to operate throughout the con-struction, closing only on ChristmasDay. (williamsburgpottery.com)

The Williamsburg area may just be

the epicenter of outlet shopping. Comefor the history, but stay an extra day ortwo to shop. Williamsburg OutletMall boasts savings of 20%-70% off re-tail with more than 40 stores in an en-closed mall. L’eggs, Hanes Playtex, Totesand Linen Barn, along with two foodgardens and plenty of resting benches,make the mall a pleasantstop. Complimentary mallcoupons worth over $100are available for group pas-sengers at Levi’s/Dockers

Outlet by Designs. Also at Levi’s arefree shopping bags for group tour pas-sengers and meal vouchers or gift cer-tificates for drivers and escorts. A loungeis available for drivers and escorts.

With 135 designer and brand nameoutlet stores, Williamsburg PremiumOutlets is one of Virginia’s larger out-let centers. Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren,Chico’s, Adidas, Tommy Bahama andKate Spade are just a few stores offeringoutstanding savings and exceptional se-lections. Williamsburg Premium Out-lets welcomes groups of all sizes andprovides special welcome packages forgroups and bus tours that pre-registerat premiumoutlets.com/english/reser-vation_form.asp.

Northern VirginiaPotomac Mills, just 30 minutes

south of Washington, D.C. on I-95, isa bargain hunter’s dream. Among 225retailers promising savings of 30%-70% are Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th,Ann Taylor, Banana Republic andNordstrom Rack. At least six area ho-tels offer group shopping packages.

A reservation two weeks prior toyour visit is requested and allows themto prepare for your group and providespecial perks. A Potomac Mills couponbook is available upon arrival for groupsof 10 or more, plus a souvenir gift forthe group leader and/or bus driver. Tomake a reservation for your group,email dsanders@simon.com or call703-496-9352. (simon.com)

Set in a picturesque outdoor village,Leesburg Corner Premium Outletsfeatures 110 retail stores, from GapOutlet and Reebok to Nautica and Bar-neys New York. The mall is located atthe intersection of Route 7 and U.S. 15Bypass in Leesburg, just 15 minutes

LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2011 37

Potomac Mills, one of the East Coast’s top outlet malls, offers free coupon books

for groups of 10 or more. It’s a half hour south of Washington, D.C.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

For more Virginia shopping ideas, go online and

see the article “Five Unique Virginia Shops.” Log on to

http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=22092

from Dulles Airport. Groups of 15 ormore receive free VIP coupon booksupon arrival. Reserve by completing theform at premiumoutlets.com/english/reservation_form.asp.

The Russell Stover Candies storein Ruther Glen features Russell Stoverboxed candies and chocolates, includ-

ing net carb, sugar-free, factory secondsand plenty of bargains. Mouth-water-ing treats await just 2.5 miles off I-95at Exit 104, Highway 207.

Shenandoah ValleyWhat would you call an outlet

bookstore featuring 500,000 new booksthat are discounted from 60-90%? US Airways Magazine called it “The

Best Bookstore on the East Coast.”Green Valley Book Fair, near I-81 between Harrisonburg andStaunton, offers all categories ofbooks, including history, literature,children’s, cooking, self help and re-ligious. It opens six times a year,usually for two weeks at a time. Visitgobookfair.com for the schedule.Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. seven daysa week.

Southern VirginiaWhen shopping for clothing

name brands by Worthington, St.John’s Bay, Southpole and more,visit the JCPenney Outlet Store atMartinsville’s Liberty Fair Mall.Taking advantage of overstockedand discounted merchandise fromthe JCPenney network, you’ll findnumerous selections at 20%-60%less than store prices.

No trip to Martinsville is com-plete without doing some homefurnishings shopping. MartinPlaza Furniture Outlet is home tothe Bassett and Hooker FurnitureOutlets with selections from manyother major manufacturers. River-side Furniture specializes in bed-room, living room and dining roomfurniture and framed artwork. Bar-gains Galore offers name-brandfurniture at discounted prices andhas two showrooms in the Mar-tinsville area.

About a mile off I-95 at exit 4,just before you leave Virginia goingsouth, is Good Earth Peanut

on location: south �

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Obtain Virginia

visitor guides

and itineraries –

and contact group-

friendly suppliers

directly – at

leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Company. Virginia grows the largestvariety of peanuts in the world, and thefamily-owned and operated companyspecializes in gourmet peanuts. In ad-dition to peanuts and other nuts, you’llfind traditional preserves, butters andpickled items, all made in Virginia. Thestore is closed on Sunday. (800-643-1695, lindsey@goodearthpeanuts.com,goodearthpeanuts.com)

Central VirginiaSince 1980 Plow & Hearth has

been a trusted name specializing in en-during home and lifestyle products.Located just off Route 29 at Madison,in the foothills of the Blue RidgeMountains, the outlet offers catalogoverstocks, discounted items and one-of-a-kind samples at savings of 30%-70% off regular catalog retail prices.(plowhearth.com/outletstore.html)

Located just outside Bedford, Emer-son Creek Pottery has been creatinghandmade and hand-painted items foralmost 30 years. Adjacent to the studiois the retail outlet store in an original1825 log cabin with its original log walls

and fireplace, and three double-barrelchimneys. Visitors connect with the pastby experiencing the special quality ofhandmade pottery, which continues atrue American tradition handed downfrom Colonial times. (866-411-1977, e-mail retail@emersonpottery.com, emer-soncreekpottery.com)

Blue Ridge HighlandsIn 2004 Gina and Ron Isom pur-

chased what is now Fancy Gap Pot-tery & Fabric Outlet in, where else,but Fancy Gap, Va. As the name im-plies, pottery and fabric are featured,but new merchandise arrives almostdaily. Included are giftware and homedecor, ribbon and floral supplies, silkflowers and a wonderful Christmasshop. Located just off I-77 at exit 8,they’re open seven days a week. (276-728-9524, fancygappottery.com)

Near Wytheville and convenientlylocated at the intersection of I-77and I-81, you’ll find the bright redroof of the Ft. Chiswell Outlets.More than 25 stores, headlined byPolo Ralph Lauren, Bon Worth andL’eggs/Hanes/Bali/Playtex, offer sav-ings up to 70% off of department storeprices. (276-637-6214, ftchiswellout-lets.com)

From the Blue Ridge Mountains tothe Tidewater/Hampton Roads region,from malls to individual manufacturer’sstores, Virginia truly is for lovers of out-let shopping. LGT

LeisureGroupTravel.com February 2011 41

Emerson Creek Pottery’s retail outlet store is adjacent to the studio.

Nordstrom Rack and more than 200 other stores draw groups to Potomac Mills.