National Harbor - News, Events, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (prices, club)

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

I would go further and say that it is a regional destination much like Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Not just for Maryland, but for DC and NoVa as well. It would be interesting to see just how far people will travel to go to NH. Do they come as far as Dale City, Ashburn, Baltimore? Or more local such as Alexandria, DC, and MoCo/PGC?

I do agree that people aren't flying across the county to visit NH. Only MGM could draw that type of patron to NH.

Hmmm. Well its definitely known regionally and is one of MD's popular attraction. Though it is probably due to visitors from outside the state. Doing a poor man's survey on yelp, I would say the majority are from nearby but that could change with outlet, the casino, and any future destinations. As a side not it is interesting how reviewers really slam the National Harbor and are now equally slamming the Outlet. The initial critiques seem to be based on their experiences with traffic during opening weekend which is unfair.

Here is the link for those who want to check it out or add their own reviews (also why do people constantly want to place the Harbor in Fort Washington? Its in Oxon Hill....sheesh)

Tanger Outlets National Harbor - Fort Washington, MD

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Hmmm. Well its definitely known regionally and is one of MD's popular attraction. Though it is probably due to visitors from outside the state. Doing a poor man's survey on yelp, I would say the majority are from nearby but that could change with outlet, the casino, and any future destinations. As a side not it is interesting how reviewers really slam the National Harbor and are now equally slamming the Outlet. The initial critiques seem to be based on their experiences with traffic during opening weekend which is unfair.

Here is the link for those who want to check it out or add their own reviews (also why do people constantly want to place the Harbor in Fort Washington? Its in Oxon Hill....sheesh)

Tanger Outlets National Harbor - Fort Washington, MD

I agree those reviews are a bit ridiculous. When I review on there, I usually go to a place a couple of times before giving a review. Some of the complaints were just a tad bit petty. People complaining about how slow cashiers are. I mean it's their first day, what do you expect?

And the comment about being cheaper than Potomac Mills is a bit silly. Potomac Mills is a little different than Tanger. Potomac Mills still has some regular stores like Burlington Coat Factory or Marshalls, which are places you will save money, but if you go to the outlets, it's just like any other outlet mall. Places like Neiman Marcus or Johnston & Murphy do not really save you any money.

As far as the traffic and the lack of eating places, that is going to be a complaint for people who aren't familiar with the area. If people aren't familiar with National Harbor, it's easy to understand why somebody would take issue with the road system and the lack of eating places. Not often will you go to a shopping center like that and not have more eating places right there.

[King_of_DC]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Hmmm. Well its definitely known regionally and is one of MD's popular attraction. Though it is probably due to visitors from outside the state. Doing a poor man's survey on yelp, I would say the majority are from nearby but that could change with outlet, the casino, and any future destinations. As a side not it is interesting how reviewers really slam the National Harbor and are now equally slamming the Outlet. The initial critiques seem to be based on their experiences with traffic during opening weekend which is unfair.

Here is the link for those who want to check it out or add their own reviews (also why do people constantly want to place the Harbor in Fort Washington? Its in Oxon Hill....sheesh)

Tanger Outlets National Harbor - Fort Washington, MD

I've been down there a couple of times and found the traffic okay... no biggie... and plenty of places to each... actually lots of choices.

Yelp? I remember when they were sending spam and were unknown... I don't follow yelp since I question some reviews. Plus, I've seen bad reviews pulled or even buried when business owners complain. Hard to maintain a fair system that way. I can't say if the owners had a fair argument... just saying...

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by King_of_DC

I've been down there a couple of times and found the traffic okay... no biggie... and plenty of places to each... actually lots of choices.

Yelp? I remember when they were sending spam and were unknown... I don't follow yelp since I question some reviews. Plus, I've seen bad reviews pulled or even buried when business owners complain. Hard to maintain a fair system that way. I can't say if the owners had a fair argument... just saying...

Yelp is subjective and I agree that some of the reviews get suppressed but, like it or not, a lot of people use that site to decide whether they are going to go to a restaurant or store. More people are going to complain than praise so you have to take it with a grain of salt.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by pgtvatitans

I agree those reviews are a bit ridiculous. When I review on there, I usually go to a place a couple of times before giving a review. Some of the complaints were just a tad bit petty. People complaining about how slow cashiers are. I mean it's their first day, what do you expect?

And the comment about being cheaper than Potomac Mills is a bit silly. Potomac Mills is a little different than Tanger. Potomac Mills still has some regular stores like Burlington Coat Factory or Marshalls, which are places you will save money, but if you go to the outlets, it's just like any other outlet mall. Places like Neiman Marcus or Johnston & Murphy do not really save you any money.

As far as the traffic and the lack of eating places, that is going to be a complaint for people who aren't familiar with the area. If people aren't familiar with National Harbor, it's easy to understand why somebody would take issue with the road system and the lack of eating places. Not often will you go to a shopping center like that and not have more eating places right there.

Yep there is going to be an adjustment period for those new to that development. Like other initial issues (roads, parking, access to food options), it should subside over time. The one good thing is that, based on the master plan, there will be other dining options closer by(I imagine that customer demand would expedite these developments). Also, as people get used to Tanger's urban model, they will start patronizing the harbor restaurants more. I would do it just to take advantage of the free parking at tanger :-)

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Hmmm. Well its definitely known regionally and is one of MD's popular attraction. Though it is probably due to visitors from outside the state. Doing a poor man's survey on yelp, I would say the majority are from nearby but that could change with outlet, the casino, and any future destinations. As a side not it is interesting how reviewers really slam the National Harbor and are now equally slamming the Outlet. The initial critiques seem to be based on their experiences with traffic during opening weekend which is unfair.

Here is the link for those who want to check it out or add their own reviews (also why do people constantly want to place the Harbor in Fort Washington? Its in Oxon Hill....sheesh)

Tanger Outlets National Harbor - Fort Washington, MD

Try Tripadvisor, you may find more out-of-state visitors. Yelp is more for local reviewers.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Yelp is subjective and I agree that some of the reviews get suppressed but, like it or not, a lot of people use that site to decide whether they are going to go to a restaurant or store. More people are going to complain than praise so you have to take it with a grain of salt.

Yep, more people will use their energy to complain than to praise something.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Try Tripadvisor, you may find more out-of-state visitors. Yelp is more for local reviewers.

Thanks those reviews are better and don't seemed to be as influenced by local biases of the area.

[adelphi_sky]

An article that speaks to the relationship between NH and Tanger in terms of retail.

Taylor Chess, president of Peterson's retail division, doesn't think the two conflict.
"We see it more as complementary," Chess said. "What you have at the outlets is a true destination … another reason to come to National Harbor.


The idea is that increased traffic to National Harbor benefits all the area's businesses.


"We think that with the new wave of customers that we hope to bring to National Harbor through Tanger and other activities, we will be able to sustain a very high occupancy," Chess said of the retail space in National Harbor's downtown area.


While there has been some turnover in the retail space at National Harbor, it is 90 percent occupied, weathering an economy that has been difficult for retail, noted Chess.


Peterson believes a retail mix between the mass market and the small independents helps a project to be successful.

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/washingto....html?page=all

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Try Tripadvisor, you may find more out-of-state visitors. Yelp is more for local reviewers.

I absolutely love Tripadvisor! I use them a lot more often for restaurant choices than Yelp.