Exploring the shops at Exit 76 with Amy

If shopping’s your thing, set a course for Exit 76 off I-65, where Indiana Premium Outlets (previously Edinburgh Premium Outlets) and the Exit 76 Antique Mall pack a one-two punch of opportunities to browse and buy.

Who doesn’t love a good deal? The prices at Indiana Premium Outlets are well below what you’ll see at retail stores to begin with, but time your visit right, and you might just walk away with some even more spectacular deals.

Our trip happened to coincide with a move-’em-out sale at the Banana Republic Outlet, offering 50 percent off already-marked-down clearance items. We walked away with a bag full of shirts, pants, and skirts for less than $10 each (some items as low as $4). And when we walked into the J. Crew Outlet, we were greeted with the happy news that everything in the store was half-off that day. Score!

With 85 stores to wander through, it’s easy to make a morning, afternoon, or entire day of it at Edinburgh Premium Outlets. Designer duds from DKNY, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren Polo share space with other recognizable retail names selling shoes, kids’ clothing, accessories, and housewares to create a well-rounded shopping experience.

Shhh…here’s an insider tip that can save you even more money: before you go, register online (for free!) at www.premiumoutlets.com/vip to get exclusive downloadable coupons and a bonus VIP savings booklet you can pick up at the mall office. Many of the participating stores offer an extra percentage off your total bill if you spend $100 or more. And you’ll also enjoy access to additional discounts and special offers at regional restaurants and attractions.

Don’t even plan to set foot in the Exit 76 Antique Mall unless you’ve got a couple hours to spare. With more than 600 vendor booths and cases, saying there’s a lot to see here is a serious understatement. It’s easy to get disoriented strolling these aisles, but signage and customer-service phones are always on hand, and strategically placed “rest stop” benches are a welcome sight if you need a few minutes to regroup. At the front of the mall, you’ll find restrooms, a few vending machines, and a smattering of tables and chairs.

The dizzying inventory covers everything under the sun — toys, Pez dispensers, books, albums, furniture, tools, quilts, furniture… the list goes on and on. Depression glass and Fiestaware are represented in every imaginable color, along with a surprisingly large array of Star Wars collectibles and enough cookbooks to fill a library.

The inventory changes often, so you never know what treasures you might come across on any given visit. A booth full of cast-iron skillets, a selection of girls patent leather tap shoes, what looked to be a mounted javelina head, and a condom machine were among the more notable items we spied during a recent walk-though.

If you’re a collector, looking for a unique gift, or in the market for a conversation piece, the Exit 76 Antique Mall is sure to provide plenty of options to consider.

Story and photos by Amy Lynch

For more information:

Indiana Premium Outlets
11622 N.E. Executive Dr., Edinburgh
(812) 526-9764

Exit 76 Antique Mall
12595 N. Executive Dr., Edinburgh
(812) 526-7676