Retail Roundup

Outlet Shopping In Burlington

North Carolina features a host of shopping opportunities across the state, but the piedmont is the retail kingdom, and Burlington is its Mecca. Credit cards across the country get hot just thinking about it. Burlington in essence is a shopping center the size of an entire town. Here you’ll find tons of outlet stores, offering factory direct savings on brand name merchandise from clothing and shoes to luggage and furniture.

Outlet centers and independent mill outlets in a charming downtown shopping district and the recently remodeled Colonial Mall may require you to pack your bags and stay a few days. Let’s get shopping, beginning at one of the key interstate exits, 145 off I-85.

Located here is the largest center in town – Burlington Outlet Village – with more than 75 stores in one area. The Village is near hotels and restaurants, so if you tire from the pace of shopping, get a room. There’s a free weekend tram service to help you get around the 22-acre shopping complex. Also, Burlwood Farm Antiques and Grandaddy’s Antiques are right off Exit 145, as is the route to historic downtown Burlington. While downtown, visit a restored train depot as well as a number of antique shops and restaurants.

Let’s take a tour of a couple of the other exits just to get a taste of what awaits.

Exit 141
Colonial Mall - Burlington's enclosed mall with a variety of shops (approx. 50) and eateries (approx. 10).

Little Red Barn Lamps & Antiques - 1609 N. NC Hwy 87, Elon College. Saturday: 10am-4pm; Sunday: 1-5pm (antiques/collectibles/lamps).

Exit 143
Alamance Antique Mall - 2602 Eric Lane, Burlington.
Monday-Saturday:  10am-7pm; Sunday: 12-5pm
(antiques/collectibles, 50 dealer spaces).

Hickory White Furniture Manufacturers Outlet - Ramada Road, Burlington.  Monday-Friday: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday: 10am-5pm.

Carpet Mart Home Fashions - Ramada Road, Burlington. Monday-Friday: 9am-5:30pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm (carpet).

Glencoe Carpet Mills Showroom, Inc. - 2362 River Road, Burlington. Follow Highway 62 North about 3 miles out of town, then cross river, showroom is on left. Monday-Friday:  8am-5pm, Saturday: 8am-1pm (carpets/vinyl flooring, rugs, Oriental rugs).

Glencoe General Store - 2649 Union Ridge Road, Burlington. Follow Highway 62 North about 3.5 miles out of town, cross river, go left at light, store is on right. Monday-Friday:  8am-5pm, Saturday: 8am-4pm (upholstery & drapery fabric, hardware & tools).

J.R. Factory Outlet - Eric Lane, Burlington. Monday-Friday:  8am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday:  8am-8pm (Discount cigars, cigarettes, designer fragrances, apparel, linens, toys, books, etc.).

Uncle Bud's - 2589-A Eric Lane, Burlington. Monday-Friday: 9am-8pm, Saturday: 9am-8pm (linens, wallpaper, fabric, yarn, shoes, etc.).

The Burlington/Alamance County Convention and Visitors Bureau can provide detailed maps outlining shopping areas, restaurants and hotels.

added: December 22, 2008

updated: December 26, 2008