''No-guns'' Prime Outlets Mall circulates composite of Retail Rapist

Ohioans For Concealed Carry first notified supporters about Prime Outlets Mall's discriminatory signs on May 3. The Jeffersonville mall holds a dubious distinction on the Do Not Patronize While Armed list, as the only retailer which has had employees victimized by the Tri-State "Retail Rapist".

Soon after employees at the Jeffersonville store were targeted by the Retail Rapist, mall management reacted by posting signs banning law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves, even in the parking lot! This means that when customers travel to Prime Outlets in Jeffersonville or Lodi (a 1 hour or longer drive for most of their customer base), they are confronted with signs that prohibits them from even entering the property with their vehicle if they are concealed handgun license-holders and are carrying a firearm. (Click here to read the memo Prime Outlets delivered to each store owner announcing the ban last April.)

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So how is the ban working to serve the "best interest of the shopping center as a whole"? How is disarming law-abiding citizens working to protect customers from predators like the Retail Rapist?

A new memo is being circulated by Prime Outlets management in Jeffersonville, which tells the tale all too well (click to enlarge image at right).

In the memo, Prime Outlets encourages tenants to instruct their employees to study the composite image of the Retail Rapist, and to "provide as much information as you are able to gather" on suspicious customers.

Columbus' WBNS 10TV reported recently that the dangerous predator is still on the loose. But as this memo shows, the most Prime Outlets can say to nervous tenants is they are "doing everything in our power to make this center a safe place to work and shop."

Posting "no-guns" signs is most certainly a part of their attempt at making Prime Outlets a "safe" place to work and shop. But why do they think a criminal such as the Retail Rapist would honor such a prohibition? And why don't they trust their tenants or customers in Ohio who chose to bear arms for self-defense, even in their cars while traveling to and from the mall, when they have experience from their businesses in other states that proves there is nothing to fear from CHL-holders?

Last summer, an OFCC investigation found that Prime Outlets properties in Pennsylvania and Michigan were not posted with these signs (the company's current portfolio includes 32 outlet centers in 20 states).

When OFCC last communicated with Prime Outlets, it came on the heels of the company being inundated with calls and letters from angry customers. The company's Director of Corporate Security (who is based in the anti-gun state of Maryland) was seeking a "compromise" that would "satisfy" gun-owners:

    Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2004 13:01:45 -0400
    From: Gee Cosper [email protected]
    Subject: RE: OhioCCW.ORG FAQ for High Risk Businesses

    Jeff,

    Please give me call (410.542.XXXX) to discuss the option of relocating the signage from the property line to the curb at the common area entrances. Would this compromise satisfy you and your colleagues? If so, I will meet with Prime Retail Senior Management and recommend this modification.

    Gee

OFCC President Jeff Garvas replied as follows:

    Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2004 22:10:44 -0400
    From: Jeff Garvas
    Subject: Re: OhioCCW.ORG FAQ for High Risk Businesses
    To: Gee Cosper [email protected]

    Gee,

    I apologize for not responding sooner.

    We're not really in a position
    to negotiate a compromise for the entire gun-owner population.

    If you move the signs, we'll report that on our website, mailing lists, and to other national distribution lists and websites. We'll let everyone know that while they can drive to Prime locations armed, they'll still be required to shop defenseless.

    However, our concern is that the "Retail Rapist", as the news media and
    police are calling him, won't be any worse off for having them disarmed
    at the curb than disarmed at the lot line.

    If Prime makes a decision on this, please let us know. This has become somewhat of a national issue with gun owners now due to Prime's large retail footprint.

    Look forward to hearing from you again.

    -Jeff Garvas

Cosper never responded, and the signs remain. No doubt the Retail Rapist is pleased with the news.

  • Prime Outlets corporate management can be reached by clicking here.
  • Gee Cosper can be reached at [email protected].

    For the extensive list of Prime Outlets tenants who were not even given the choice of whether or not to disarm their customers and employees, click on the "Read More..." link below.

    As you scan this list or contact these businesses, keep in mind that only Tommy Hilfiger and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory have voluntarily posted "no-guns" signs in their windows. Every other tenant on this list has had their right to allow customers and/or employees the choice to bear arms for self-defense stripped away from them when Prime Outlets Mall management posted signs at parking lot entrances.

    Allen-Edmonds
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8665
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    American Eagle Outfitters
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    American Outpost
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8130
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Bass Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8475
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Bath & Body Works
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8155
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Beauty Express
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8210
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Bible Factory Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8140
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Big Dog Sportswear
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8505
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Bombay Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8180
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Book Warehouse
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8555
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Borders Book Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Bosca Leather & Accessories
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8765
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Bose Factory Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8455
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Brooks Brothers Factory Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8400
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Casual Corner Annex
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8430
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Casual Corner Annex Petite
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8440
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Casual Corner Annex Woman
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8425
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Casual Male Big & Tall
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Children's Place Outlet, The
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8745
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    CinnaMonster
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8010
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Claire's
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8420
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Clarks Bostonian
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8335
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    COACH
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8670
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Coldwater Creek Outlet Stores
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8160
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Corningware Corelle Revere Factory Stores
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8615
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Crafty Peddler
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8465
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Dress Barn Outlet/Dress Barn Woman Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8350
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Easy Spirit Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8540
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Ecko unltd.
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Eddie Bauer Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8190
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Factory Brand Shoes
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8315
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Fossil
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8840
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Gap Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8865
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    GNC/Value Nutrition
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8725
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Gold Star Chili
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8040
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Gold Toe
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8570
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Great Steak & Potato
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8030
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Guess?
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8600
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Haggar Clothing Co.
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8770
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Harry and David
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8567
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Hartstrings Childrenswear
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8220
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Hoover
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8305
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    IZOD
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8510
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Jockey
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8625
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Johnston & Murphy
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8720
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Jones New York
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8860
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Journeys
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8835
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    K/B Toy
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8655
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Kitchen Collection
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8310
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Le Gourmet Chef
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8650
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Lenox
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8225
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Limited Too!
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8580
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Maidenform
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8560
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Motherhood Maternity
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8410
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Music for a Song
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8115
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Naturalizer
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8550
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Nautica
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8700
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Nike Factory Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8890
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Nine West Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8715
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Noritake
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8620
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Oneida Home
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8545
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    OshKosh B'Gosh
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8640
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Pacific Sunwear of California
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8845
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Paper Factory
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8660
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Perfumania
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8470
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Pfaltzgraff
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8630
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8896
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Pottery Barn Furniture Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8100
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Pro Image
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8110
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Rack Room
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8235
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8205
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Royal Doulton
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8150
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Rue 21
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8740
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    S & K Menswear
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8360
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Samsonite Company Stores
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8335
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    SAS Factory Shoe Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8125
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Saucony
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8735
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Springmaid Wamsutta
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8300
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Stride Rite/Sperry/Keds
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8535
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Sunglass Hut/Watch Station
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8170
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Talbots
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8250
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    The Cosmetics Company Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8705
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Tommy Hilfiger Company Store
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8800
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    totes ISOTONER Sunglass World
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8200
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Ultra Gold and Diamond Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8185
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Uncle Andy's Pretzels
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite K2
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Valleverde
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8565
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Van Heusen
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8460
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Villa Pizza
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8020
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Vitamin World
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8512
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Waterford Wedgwood Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8825
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Welcome Home
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8610
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Wilsons Leather Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8730
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Wok & Roll
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8050
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Woolrich
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8815
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    Yankee Candle
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8415
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

    ZALES, The Diamond Store Outlet
    8000 Factory Shops Blvd, Suite 8120
    Jeffersonville , Ohio 43128

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