Elmwood Shopping Center, a prominent retail destination in Jefferson Parish, is set to welcome a new Tommy Hilfiger factory outlet, further enriching its diverse array of discount retailers. This global brand, renowned for its preppy polos and iconic sportswear, will occupy a substantial 5,600-square-foot space strategically positioned between Elmwood’s existing anchor tenants, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. This new addition marks the second Tommy Hilfiger outlet in the greater New Orleans area and the third across the entire state, signifying the brand’s continued expansion.
William Place, president and chief operating officer of Lauricella Land Company, which owns and operates the shopping center, emphasized the strategic importance of this new tenant. He stated that the inclusion of Tommy Hilfiger aligns perfectly with their ongoing efforts to elevate both the breadth and quality of their retail offerings. Place highlighted Tommy Hilfiger as an iconic American brand that consistently evolves, thereby contributing to the dynamic retail landscape at Elmwood.
The integration of this factory store is a deliberate move consistent with Elmwood’s overarching retail strategy, which has increasingly focused on attracting a robust mix of factory and discount outlet stores. Over recent years, the center has successfully added notable brands such as Banana Republic Factory, J.Crew Factory, Nike Factory Store, Ann Taylor Factory, and Express Factory Outlet. This commitment to offering value-driven retail options was further solidified in July 2025 with the opening of a Nordstrom Rack, the discounted offshoot of the popular Nordstrom department store.
The space now being transformed for Tommy Hilfiger was previously occupied by The Children’s Place, a baby and children’s clothing retailer that had been a fixture at Elmwood since 2007. The closure of The Children’s Place almost two years prior was attributed to broader company-wide store closure plans, a direct consequence of diminished foot traffic experienced during the global COVID-19 pandemic. This shift underscores the evolving retail landscape and Elmwood’s adaptability in filling vacancies with high-demand brands.
Beyond the new retail additions, the shopping center is undergoing significant expansion and revitalization. In May, developers initiated construction on The Francis, a 251-unit multifamily complex. This ambitious project is transforming the former Kmart site into a vibrant residential hub. Lauricella, in collaboration with Felicity Property Co., a New Orleans-based developer, is investing $76 million into this apartment complex. Furthermore, Lauricella has earmarked an additional $35 million for supplemental retail development, aiming to transform the outdoor strip mall into a comprehensive mixed-use development. This vision seeks to encourage visitors to linger longer and engage more deeply with the shopping center’s offerings, fostering a more integrated and pedestrian-friendly environment.
As the largest open-air shopping center in the state, Elmwood boasts an impressive annual visitor count of 9.3 million. Place remarked on the undeniable appeal of this high foot traffic, suggesting that "When people come in and they see the traffic at Elmwood, they kind of realize what it’s all about." He further speculated that the sheer volume of visitors and the substantial critical mass present at the shopping center likely played a significant role in impressing Tommy Hilfiger and securing their new location. The new Tommy Hilfiger factory store is currently under construction and is slated to open its doors to the public in November. It will join existing Tommy Hilfiger locations at the Riverwalk Outlets downtown and the Tanger Outlets in Gonzales, expanding the brand’s accessibility across the region. This continued development marks a significant step in Elmwood’s evolution, solidifying its position as a premier retail and residential destination. For more news and updates, visit our news section.
