They come by car and park in color-coded garages set along the perimeter of a cluster-model mall — stores arranged in Stepford neighborhood groupings: Niagara, Hudson Valley, Saratoga . The shops face inward around a series of walkways leading to open-air commons, framed by the pastoral backdrop of low wooded hills.

They come by the millions , from most continents and dozens of countries and on daily buses from Canada or from Port Authority in Manhattan. That is where I set out on the ShortLine, boarding behind a clutch of millennial shoppers whose excitement about the trip ahead was unconstrained.

“We’re going to Woodbury Common!” one announced in a hyperventilated tone you may associate with an 8-year-old headed for Disney World. Settling into seats near the rear of the bus, the small group excitedly shared their retail dreams.

“Can I tell you what I’m looking for in case any of you see it on your travels?” one woman asked. “I’m looking for pearl statement earrings. I need a suede jacket with a fringe, either brown or black. I want a bathing suit slash cover-up for a bachelorette weekend, a tweed jacket I can wear with jeans and a bra.”