Community
steve craig; The Man Behind The Outlets
by Don Kindred t
he word entrepreneur comes from a French verb which means “to undertake”. It becomes an apt description for those builders and
businessmen who accept the challenge of creating, not just something new, but something beyond the ordinary. The title is fitting for Steven L. Craig, who has undertaken the development of the Outlets at San Clemente, and through the 18 years it took to become a reality, never wavered from the vision of what could be the finest center in the state.
born to build Craig has always been a builder, “It’s in my
blood,” he says, (His ancestors built most of the famous buildings in Edinburgh, Scotland in the 1700s.) While growing up in St Joseph, Missouri, he
busied himself building models, tree houses, even the hot dog, hamburger and candy stand that would become his first business ... when he was 10. By the time he turned 12, he’d moved up to fireworks stands, a chain of which would later put him through college at USC, and set him on the path to an empire that will soon include 18 outlet centers in 12 states.
on san clemente Steve Craig remembers that when he first
walked the Marblehead Coastal Property in 1997, he had just turned 41. “It didn’t take a lot of brainpower,” he says
of the easy decision to purchase the property. “It was, and is, a beautiful site, with a rare combina- tion of ocean views and freeway frontage.”
Facts about the outlets
size: 325,000 at opening, 500,000 sq. ft. at completion acres: 52
stores: over 35 retail stores at opening, 70 retailers upon completion of Phase I
Future ocean-view Restaurants: 4
arches: Over 350 Five-star bathrooms: 4
services: Valet, Concierge, a VIP Private Lounge, complimentary wi-fi, baggage check, stroller and wheelchair rentals
But bringing the project to life hasn’t been so
easy. Only this November, after 200 months, $100 million and 125 public hearings will Steve Craig, now 60, finally cut the ribbon on San Clemente’s largest retail project. Outlets at San Clemente will encompass more than 500,000 square feet of upscale retail space. It will open with fast-casual eateries, more than 35 retail stores and over 3,000 parking spaces. The final devel- opment plan includes more than 12 restaurant and dining options, including four restaurants with scenic ocean views. Steve acknowledges that there were delays,
problems and frustrations along the way, but as he says, “I think of San Clemente as sort of the cul- mination of everything that we have done as a company to date, this will be a very special center.”
Indeed, the center will include such non-
shopping amenities as a VIP loyalty program with an exclusive lounge, valet parking and concierge- services. As well as complimentary Wi-Fi, baggage check, stroller and wheelchair rentals. It will also feature a Mother’s Lounge and four five-star bath- rooms. Craig explains the latter, “For most shopping
centers, the restrooms are an afterthought, some- thing that needs to be done. For us, it’s a chance to make a statement. Our customers are 80% women, they need a place that is comfortable.”
Philanthropy Steve Craig has been fortunate in life and he’ll
be the first to admit it. He believes in giving back. His donations to Missouri Western State Univer- sity, in his hometown, led the school to establish the Steven L. Craig School of Business at Western. His motivation? He says, “I just wanted to inspire people to do great things and at the same time, create a phenomenal business school.” He personally created a program for students
at the school’s Applied Learning Center for En- trepreneurship, which allows them a chance to compete for their own franchise. “In the last six years,” Craig says proudly,
“Twenty four students have gone straight from college into their own franchises through the pro- gram. Two of them, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Blaze Pizza will be opening with us in San Clemente.” A football fan, Craig is a member of the Ex-
ecutive board of the Lott Impact Foundation, which annually recognizes the top defensive player in College football. (He’s also been known to show up at a USC tailgate party and take all chal- lengers in a game of Cornhole.) He makes his home in Newport Coast but
has been named an Honorary Citizen of the City of Commerce for his contributions to the com- munity and he still serves on their AA Advisory Board. In each of the communities where his com- pany has built outlets, they are known for their community support. Outlets at San Clemente will host its first an-
nual Shopping Extravaganza fundraiser on Satur- day, December 5, to benefit 18 local charities including the Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area, Family Assistance Ministries, Kids Around the World, and Sunrise Rotary Club. Shopping Extravaganza features a private catered lunch, wine and craft beer tastings, entertainment and up to $50,000 in prizes. Outlets at San Clemente will donate $25 for every $35 ticket purchased and tickets are on sale now at
shoposc.com/tickets.;
www.outletsatsanclemente.com SANCLEMENTEJOURNAL 13 Craig explains the project to San Clementeans in March of 2014 for a Mayor’s Walk. outlets at saN cleMeNte CURRENT LIST OF PHASE 1 STORES
2XU Aerosoles ASICS AT&T Auntie Anne’s Bass Factory Outlet Blaze Pizza Bowl of Heaven Calvin Klein Carter’s Childrens Chico’s Outlet Clarks Outlet Cole Haan Columbia Sportswear Converse Daisy Shoppe Eddie Bauer Flip Flop Shops Guess Factory Store H&M HanesBrands Jockey Le Creuset Levi’s Outlet Store The Luggage Factory Nautica
New Balance Factory Store Nike Factory Store OshKosh B’Gosh Panera Bread Papaya Pearl Izumi Perfumania Planet Beauty The PUMA Outlet Store
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Ruby’s Diner Skechers Starbucks Sun Diego Boardshops Sunglass Hut Swarovski Tilly’s Tommy Hilfiger Under Armour U-Swirl Van Heusen Vans White House | Black Market Zales Zumiez
Steve Craig oversees every aspect of the development.
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