Tanger Outlets broke ground today at Foxwoods. In the works for over a year, construction finally got underway in Mashantucket, CT for a new “luxury” retail development. The famous casino has partnered with Gordon Group Holdings and national factory outlet retailer, Tanger to construct a 312,000-square-foot retail venue at the Resort. The idea was borne out of the need to expand the Casino’s non-gaming offering and grow jobs in an ever-changing economy for the two Indian-operated casinos in Southeastern Connecticut. The new retail venture will also help to solidify the link between the two parts of the casino – the Grand Pequot Tower Hotel (built in 1997) and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, which has been an ongoing issue since the construction of the MGM expansion project in 2008.

The Tanger retail development will include 80 retailers yet to be named and is aiming to open for business in 2015.

Also scheduled to open in 2015 is an expansion project at nearby Mohegan Sun. The Mohegan Tribe is expanding their retail, entertainment, and dining options by adding what they’re calling the “Downtown District” project. This $50 million, 200,000-square-foot development will be attached to the existing resort and include a gourmet food pavilion, a 14-screen Marquee Cinemas movie theater, a luxury bowling alley, and a variety of shops including luxury brands like Coach, Tiffany, Sephora, and Tommy Bahama.

These two projects are certainly exciting for Connecticut tourism. Many have their hopes pinned on these luxury ventures as both casino revenues and jobs have seen a steady decline in recent years. Also feeding the need to expand is the threat of new casino development in Massachusetts and growing competition in New York and Atlantic City. Connecticut’s casinos are doing everything possible to remain relevant and competitive in this challenging environment.

What is yet to be seen is if the new retail and luxury offerings will be strong enough to help the casinos cast a wider net and pull in new, high-spending consumers and whether current guests will spend their dollars on new handbags in addition to the craps table. In a highly saturated retail market, it is hard to be optimistic, but only time will tell.