Thousands of parking spots filled up early this morning as shoppers turned out for the grand opening festivities and deals at the new 75-store Tanger Outlets mall in Washington, Pa.

By mid-day, parking space was at such a premium, cars were lined up along the road leading up to the mall. Traffic out of the center had slowed to a crawl.

Steven B. Tanger, president and chief operating officer of the Greensboro, N.C., company that built the $105 million shopping center, thanked local and state officials for helping the development get the roads, tax incentives and other assistance it needed to make the project work.

He conceded there had been struggles along the way, as some in the community opposed some support given to the project, but said "99.99 percent" of the people in Washington County and South Strabane are excited about seeing the investment in the community that will bring an estimated 800 full- and part-time retail jobs and millions in tax revenues.

Numerous officials showed up to welcome the center to the area, and the state's executive director of tourism marketing read a proclamation from the governor to that effect.

"We're really excited about this," said Richard Bonds, noting tourism is a major state industry and shopping is the number one activity for tourists.

Coupons were a big draw for some of the shoppers who turned up to check out the new competitor to the Prime Outlets mall further up Interstate 79 in Grove City. But then, so was former Steeler running back Jerome Bettis. By mid-day, the line for autographs from the football star extended past numerous stores. Some people had been there for more than two hours.