UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect the addition of Starbucks and U.S. Polo.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A slew of popular national retailers will open their doors at Empire Outlets, New York City's first retail outlet center being built in St. George.

A Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, White House Black Market, Columbia Sportswear Company, Guess Factory Store, Wilsons Leather, U.S. Polo, G.H. Bass & Co., Lids, Obey Your Body, Innovation Luggage, Walgreens, Starbucks, Haagen Dazs, Krispy Kreme, Nathan's Famous and Applebee's will occupy the 100,000 square feet of retail space.

"We are extremely excited to welcome these premier retailers at Empire Outlets," said Joseph Ferrara. He is a principal at BFC Partners along with Donald Capoccia and Brandon Baron.

"The global presence and appeal that these brands have to our local, domestic and international visitors will undoubtedly be an experience that guests will want to repeat time and time again."

The announcement comes closely on the heels of two other retailers joining Empire Outlets: Nordstrom Rack, the off-price retail division of Seattle-based Nordstrom, Inc., which has taken approximately 34,000 square feet of retail space as one of the project's anchors, as well as Swedish fashion retailer H&M, which has signed for 26,000 square feet at the complex.

When complete, the BFC Partners' project will be a 1-million-square-foot, open-air pedestrian-friendly mall with waterfront dining, 100 designer outlet shops and a 190-room hotel situated in the shadows of New York Wheel.

BFC Partners said it will use the city Economic Development Corp.'s HireNYC program to create a local hiring plan to fill the jobs generated by the 1-million-square-foot development.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Outlet Mall and the NY Wheel will be Thursday, April 16, at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George.

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