Sales, hiring hot at Mebane's new Tanger Outlet mall

Shoppers hoping to cash in on bargains lined up outside the mall before it opened Sunday morning.

"You put 'outlet' on anything, and people automatically think it's a good deal," shopper Clara Andrews said.

Shoppers Adrian Long and and Latoya Bryant got up early to check out the Coach outlet store.

"I love it, so I am here to see what deals they have," Bryant said.

Kathy Hackshaw, the mall's general manager, said that opening weekend has exceeded retailers' expectation, and some stores are already hiring new workers.

"We knew we would be busy, but they are even busier than they thought they would be," Hackshaw said. "They don't expect it to slow down between now and the holidays, so some of them need more people."

More than 3,000 applicants waited in line during a job fair at the mall this past fall. Eight hundred positions were filled.

"I would get out here this week, if you want a job," Hackshaw said. "Knock on some doors and see if they need anybody."

Crowds at the mall opening also provided a quick buck for nearby businesses. Some charged as much as $20 for parking.