The Shops of Grand River — Attraction in Leeds

This review is to make you aware of the encounter we had with McDowell security who was handling security at the outlet. McDowell Security employees were very rude unprofessional and RACIST!!! Our encounter with McDowell security occurred 4.7.19 at the Outlet Shops of Grand River in Leeds, AL and was very unpleasant, unprofessional and unnecessary . Our group of 4 people (2 adults and 3 youth) were approached in the parking lot of the Grand outlet by a male and female in a golf cart as we were walking from our vehicle parked far out in the parking lot. We were asked if we were attending the Barber Motorsports event and we replied yes, but were going to do some shopping first. We were told that there were designated parking spaces to catch the bus to attend the Barber Motorsports, but as stated we were going to shop first and then attend the event and we had looked for parking in the designated areas upon 1st arriving and were unable to locate a parking space. After walking through the Grand Rivers outlet, we approached the gate to head toward the buses. When approaching the gates, we asked if we were at the correct entrance to board the buses to go to the event, only to find out that the man in the golf cart had contacted security to provide our description and inform them not to let us through the gate until we moved our vehicle! The security guard stated that our PROFILE met the description of the group that was not parked in the correct location and that he would not let us through until we moved. This was handled very unprofessionally and the whole incident could have been avoided for the following reasons. 1. AT no point in time did the man in the golf cart tell us that it was MANDATORY, for us to move to get through a gate to board a bus. 2. At no point and Time ever is the Leeds outlet full of cars, ESPECIALLY parked far out, so our parking would not have inconvenience anyone. 3. We were patrons to the outlet too and were not treated as such. This was a very disheartening event and not behavior that one would want 1st time youth attending the event to encounter. Not impressed with McDowell Security!!!! As frequent patrons of Leeds outlet, we were very offended to be treated this way and appalled that the Outlet shops of Grand River would use such an unprofessional company. One would think the Outlet Shops of Grand River would have been appreciative of the foot traffic in an effort to increase the revenues of...

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Our experiences on 3/12/2019 3-9pm.

Very nice facility,well kept, nicely decorated and modern. Not all shops are equal. In Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's, Tools and More and Jockey the sales associates are very professional, well trained and courteous. Real Winners! On the other hand in, Guess(inattentive, not adequately trained, unwilling to assist, no knowledge of products, entertaining each other discussing personal and private bedroom issues), Sbarro(food stale for hours, staff not interested in make selections more appealing, blatantly rude to guests), and Famous Footwear(sales associates were trying their best to close the store when we entered at 8:15pm, one associate seemed to be the more senior representative on the floor was cashier and 4 or 5 staffers were active taking inventory, everyone were interested in making a $20 kids sale to a group with out of control toddlers and with a communication issues rather than assisting two adults with 2-3 selections for men and women. We placed our items on the counter and walked out. No one attempted to intervene and rescue a substantial sale) the service was nonexistent and an obvious example of lazy, failed management.

In these times sales associates should be well aware of the economy, attempt to encourage sales and be rewarded or punished for their performances. When $1000 +/- is spent a several times a quarter by 2 customers openly expressing their intention to make purchases, management should be much more active and hands on or expect to continue to have poor sales and unemployment looming. We...

Good:

Plenty of shops to explore, food to try, and activities for children.

Has plenty of stalls and urinals to use in men's.

The two suit places I went two had pretty good customer service and helped me find a suit right for my event.

Been going here for years and never really had too many issues.

Good community outreach, last time I visited I saw girl scouts selling cookies.

Cons:

Expect it to be pricey, most shops are but food, drinks, and most stores will be expensive if you're on a normal paycheck. (BUT THEY DO HAVE DISCOUNT OFFERS THAT HELP IN STORES)

You expect bathrooms to be a little crowded but not 1. pee all over the floor (contained within stalls and urinals fortunately) 2. One obvious location for a bathroom. I have yet to find another restroom I could use that's not in that one location.

They have the layout where all the stores you want to go to will most likely be far from other stores you're likely to go to. I know this is a sales thing to make you look at more stores but still, c'mon.

OVERALL: maybe I caught them on a bad day or at the wrong time, I've gone here for years and never really had too many issues (rip gap though)

enclosed with this review is a photo of a friend trying on a suit there...