Lacoste and Talbots to open at Gulfport Premium Outlets

By MARY PEREZ - The Sun Herald

Two upscale outlets, Lacoste and Talbots, will open at Gulfport Premium Outlets in May.

Lacoste is scheduled to open May 2 and Talbots May 16.

The stores will be on the north side of the outlet, near Coach.

“We are thrilled they have decided to join the many other high quality brands at the center,” said Pam Meinzinger, general manager of the outlets.

Lacoste is known for its trademark embroidered crocodile on cotton polo shirts. The company began in 1933, when René Lacoste replaced long-sleeve starched shirts on the tennis courts with what is now the classic Lacoste polo.

The company has expanded into clothing for men, women and children and accessories.

Talbots caters to women age 35 and older, featuring classic styles of clothing with modern detail. The company’s first outlets opened in 2009, introducing the Talbots Outlet label of clothing.

Meinzinger said Gulfport Premium Outlets, as the complex is now named, has an excellent reputation in the outlet industry that attracts brand name stores.

The outlets are located off U.S. 49 at Interstate 10 in Gulfport.