OT Good Shopping near Sandusky Ohio

[abbyndrewmom]

After much deliberation we have decided to take the kids to the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky for 2 nights rather then spending a week in Myrtle Beach for Spring Break . As a compromise I get to take some of the "saved" vacation money and go shopping, something that I would not have been able to do much of in MB .

I like to stock up on clothing for the kids while we are in the US I will be buying for Spring & Summer as well as any leftover winter clearance for next year. I like Dillards (I hope they still have some 75% clearance left!), oulet malls, Old Navy, Childrens Place etc. I have also promised to take the kids to Build a Bear and we would like to go to a Traders Joe's as well. We will be driving through Detriot & Toledo on I-75 so we can stop along the way. I know there is a Trader Joe's in Ann Arbour, MI so we will probably stop there on the way back if we don't find one closer to Sandusky.

Any suggestions on where to go and what to look for are much appreciated. We are going March 14-16.

 

[lorisnuts]

There is a mall in Sandusky. but it doesn't have a build a bear,dillards, or childrens place (the last time i was there in january). they don't even have a disney store. There is an old navy store near the mall. There is an outlet mall outside of sandusky on 250 near Avery. The mall has stores like Jcpenney, sears, fashionbug, elderbeerman, victoria secret and tjmax. If you are wanting quality shopping. stop make a stop in toledo.

 

[chele4kids]

I know there is an awesome mall in Sandusky, supposedly with a great indoor playground! I remember there being billboard signs advertising it, also have a friend who lives in Sandusky talking about the mall all the time. Maybe if you google malls in Sandusky, also, look up Trader Joe's for locations. The Kalahari is an awesome place to stay, very clean, lots to do, and my kids love to save their allowance to blow it all on the Candy Hut ~ make sure you get one of their chocolate covered candy apples! Have fun!

 

[chele4kids]

Oops, sorry, lorisnuts! I must have posted just after you. I looked up the Sandusky mall, and you're absolutely right ~ no really great stores. They must have a good playground, though, the way my friend talks! And I looked up Trader Joes, it looks like the closest one is in Westlake, which is about 45 minutes west of Sandusky. So anyway, I do know the Kalahari is great, sorry I didn't help much on the shopping part.

 

[abbyndrewmom]

Thank you for your suggestions I will plan on doing my "mall" shopping in Toledo, I hoped some one might have good suggestions on outlets. I know where the one in Monroe, MI are but they are not many stores there compared to other outlet centers I have been. If anyone knows of any larger outlet malls in this area I would love to hear about them.

Thanks,

 

[iluveeyore]

I love the DIS boards! I was just browsing as I usually do, and I have been looking for a get away for me and the kids since I can't afford to do Disney this March Break , and then I read about the Kalahari Resort, and yay I have a two night getaway booked that the kids are all excited about. It's a 4.5 hour drive, which is nothing, and they get to swim and play for three days while I catch up on some good books - thanks!!!!

 

[abbyndrewmom]

I love the DIS boards! I was just browsing as I usually do, and I have been looking for a get away for me and the kids since I can't afford to do Disney this March Break , and then I read about the Kalahari Resort, and yay I have a two night getaway booked that the kids are all excited about. It's a 4.5 hour drive, which is nothing, and they get to swim and play for three days while I catch up on some good books - thanks!!!!

When will you be there and how old are your children? We will be there on the Thursday. Did you book a package, I got the Sampler package for $189.00 a night which I thought was a great deal!!

Allison

 

[lorisnuts]

Sorry i just got home so i haven't had a chance to respond sooner.

I just wanted to let you all know there is a place that is run by cedar point "similar" to kalahari called castaway bay. there was an ad in the paper last week for $129 for one night, or $199 for two nights with 4 waterpark passes. offer valid only through may 10, 2007. book online at castawaybay.com and use the coupon code "splash." or call 1-800-BEST-FUN.

 

[hinodis]

I live just north of Toledo, Ohio. The Kalahari is GREAT! Do not go to Castaway bay. You will love the Kalahari. We have been there several times. For shopping in Toledo go to The Westfield Mall. It has a Build a Bear and Dillards and many other great stores. There is also a Kohl,s near the mall. Do NOT go to the outlet stores in Monroe I just went there 2 days ago and it was terrible. Many places are empty there. It is a waste of time. Ann Arbor is a great place to shop. They have a Whole foods and a great store call the world market (very cool). Toledo also has a lot of very good restaurants. Just PM me if you need anymore information on this area. I have lived here all my life. Have a GREAT trip

 

[dizneenut]

The Sandusky Mall isn't all that great.
No Old Navy, but there is a new Kohl's. You probably would be better off doing your shopping in Toledo.
There is a Meijer, Super Walmart and Target, too.

 

[abbyndrewmom]

Thank you for your replies, Hinodis how far is the Westfield Mall off of I-75. What is the state tax in Michigan vs Ohio? I found an outlet mall in Detriot called Great Lakes Common, it looks like it has some good stores. they also have a child care place to drop the kids for two hours. Have you ever been there, it is off I 75. Do you know where the Trader Joes is in Ann Arbour, Dh and I love that store (we use to shop their all the time when we lived in LV) and always try to visit it if possible to stock up on our favorties! We also want to eat at Culvers, there is one off of I 75 in Taylor on Eureka Rd. Any idea how that will fit in our other plan. I guess I better get out some maps and figure out how to fit all this into two days!!

 

[ntburns22]

The Sandusky Mall isn't all that great.
No Old Navy, but there is a new Kohl's. You probably would be better off doing your shopping in Toledo.
There is a Meijer, Super Walmart and Target, too.

The mall is no good, but there is a Old Navy right next to Target. They both opened before Christmas.

 

[smaurer]

We live 10 miles south of Sandusky and to tell you the truth there really isn't much in the mall that makes for good shopping. If you check out the prime outlet website at primeoutlets.com and go to locations and under Lodi they do have some decent stores. It is about 45 minutes from us but we have always found stuff there. If you are heading that way shopping anyway you might as well hit Southpark Center in Strongsville, it is a much better mall. Two stories with dillards, macy's, jcpenneys, childrens place, gap, gap kids, gymboree and a bunch more stores total drive of about 1 hour or 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sandusky. Let me know if you have any other questions considering we go to Sandusky every other day or so.

 

[Fire14]

I'm terrible with directions but isn't birch run (Huge outlet mall) in the area of travel. also the mall off 94 in ann arbor is nice name is brairwood mall if I recall correctly. MI sales tax is 6% but detroit has a city tax also I'm thinking.

 

[abbyndrewmom]

I'm terrible with directions but isn't birch run (Huge outlet mall) in the area of travel. also the mall off 94 in ann arbor is nice name is brairwood mall if I recall correctly. MI sales tax is 6% but detroit has a city tax also I'm thinking.

I love Birch Run but it is a little further North then I want to go on this trip. Do you know what the city tax is, I am trying to figure out if we would be better doing our "mall" shopping in Ohio or Michigan.

Allion

 

[briannesmom]

Are you coming into the US through Detroit or Port Huron? I think Ann Arbor is a bit out of the way for you to go to Trader Joes. They now have a few more locations closer to Detroit (Royal Oak is probably closest to I 75). The outlets in Monroe aren't really worth going to. Great Lakes Crossing is nice, it isn't as far north as Birch Run.
Sales tax is 6%, no additional tax in Detroit.

 

[Fire14]

Are you coming into the US through Detroit or Port Huron? I think Ann Arbor is a bit out of the way for you to go to Trader Joes. They now have a few more locations closer to Detroit (Royal Oak is probably closest to I 75). The outlets in Monroe aren't really worth going to. Great Lakes Crossing is nice, it isn't as far north as Birch Run.
Sales tax is 6%, no additional tax in Detroit.

Thanks for clarifying City Tax thing I just thought I had heard that in past. Tax rate in Ohio is 6% but differant counties can add in their % too. I know I avg 6.75% in areas I shop futher south in state.

 

[iluveeyore]

Hey Allison - I got a desert room for $199/night w/four passes - we are staying Wed. the 14th and Thurs. the 15th. My middle son is 15 and is bringing a friend, and my daughter is 11. My niece might be coming too, she is 12. They are very excited after looking at the website.

 

[candeeapril]

hello there!

We live just 10 minutes away from Sandusky. No outlet malls anymore in Avery. The mall is just O.K.. we have a new Target and Old navy. No Trader Joe's anywhere in this area. The closest is near CLeveland. Not sure about Toledo area. We have stayed at all three water Parks(Great Wolf, Kalahari, and Castaway Bay.) Kalahari is a very nice resort and if you have older kids who aren't afraid of water they will love it. My kids(6,4) weren't tall enough to ride alot of the slides and there was just one small kiddie area for them. I thought it was kind of cold inside the water area, but I like hot water. My kids do love the Tree Frog playground between the waterpark and they arcade. Beware everything is highly over priced. They actually make WDW seem cheap.

There is a really great Italian restuarant just little bit down the street called "Danny Boys" check it out. They do carry out too. Have Fun.

 

[YayDisney!]

Allison - so glad you're coming to Ohio! You'll love the Kalahari - we were there early this year.

I would definitely recommend shopping in Toledo before coming to Sandusky. The Westfield Shopping Center - Franklin Park is the best mall, in my opinion. You'll get there off I-75 - take Rt. 475 west - travel until Talmadge Road, exit to the right, turn right. Go straight thru 1st light, then turn into the mall parking lot on your right - you won't be able to miss it.

This is a very large mall - there's Dillards, JC Penny's, Macy's, Build-A-Bear, Gymboree, Limited Too, Victoria Secret and many, many others. It's a really great mall.

Let me know if I can help out any more. I live in this area (Bowling Green, OH). Have a great trip!!

Lisa