Bloomingdale's opening Garden City outlet

Bloomingdale's is aiming to add new customers with the opening of its first Long Island outlet location, at The Gallery at Westbury Plaza.

Bloomingdale's, The Outlet Store had a "soft" opening on Monday but is holding its official grand opening Thursday, promising Bloomingdale's upscale brands at prices reduced by 35 percent to 80 percent.

The kind of consumer the company expects to draw to this new Garden City outlet location on Old Country Road is "the shopper who understands and knows the brands of Bloomingdale's and is looking for a great deal," said Arnie Orlick, senior vice president of The Outlet Store, as well as "the shopper who aspires to the brands of Bloomingdale's but who can't afford buying the merchandise at full price."

Bloomingdale's launched its outlet store concept in 2010, well after upscale competitors such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus had established off-price divisions. It was clear there were good opportunities for Bloomingdale's in this sector, Orlick said. "I think there is success out there from major competitors . . . with good growth."

With 25,000 square feet of retail space, the outlet will feature apparel and accessories, including women's ready-to-wear, men's and children's clothing, shoes for women, men and children, handbags and jewelry. The selection encompasses both reduced-price items direct from Bloomingdale's full-line stores and lines made for the outlet from upscale brands such as Elie Tahari, Theory and Calvin Klein.

The area is in a prime retail hub that draws shoppers from Nassau and Suffolk counties, Orlick noted. It is also near the Roosevelt Field mall, considered by many retail experts as a powerhouse attracting shoppers not only from Long Island but from New York City.

Orlick said he expects the specialty supermarket Trader Joe's will create more traffic of repeat customers.

"We love when there are big supermarkets," he said. "Having a terrific supermarket in our shopping center means more of the same customers coming to visit more frequently, which is important."