Margaret Sorensen first moved to Livermore in 1929.
The 3-year-old at the time was one of just under 3,000 residing in town, she said.
Today, the 86-year-old Sorensen is amazed at how far her once "little cow town" has come along.
"What a change," Sorensen said Thursday at the Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley grand opening. "This is just so awesome. I'm just sitting here in awe."
The new outlets center is the latest attraction to the Livermore Valley, which already boasts a deep wine country, a thriving downtown and a booming technology hub.
Livermore Mayor John Marchand says the outlets brings in more than 3,000 jobs to the area.
"It encourages people to shop local and keep dollars in their community," he said.
Shoppers arrive early
Livermore-resident Gerald Yano has been waiting for the opening since officials broke ground on the shopping center in August 2011.
Yano was one of many shoppers who headed to the outlets early Thursday morning. He plans to take advantage of the special sales offered at the grand opening.
"This is big for Livermore," he said smiling. "I can't wait."
C.J. Robinson of Antioch and Sondra Robinson of Dublin also arrived early and were one of the first people in line at the Nike outlet.
They started standing in line at around 8:30 a.m. to get a water bottle and gift card Nike was giving out to the first few hundred shoppers.
By 9:30 a.m. the line to the Nike store wrapped around the corner and had more than 150 people.
Lines also began to form at the nearby Coach store.
The outlets feature , just off Interstate 580.
Traffic, traffic and more traffic
Days before Thursday's grand opening officials warned of heavy traffic expected in the area. Patch readers on our Facebook page reported traffic to be grid locked on Interstate 580 and the new Jack London Boulevard extension in Livermore to be backed up.
A traffic collision near the El Charro Road exit on the freeway also contributed to the delays, according to the CHP.
Some said it took more than 30 minutes to travel from one exit to another on Interstate 580.
"It's horrible," a Patch reader said.
It took 90 minutes for Patch Regional Editor Kari Hulac to get to the outlets center from Pleasanton.
Others decided to give up, turn back around and plan a visit another day.
CHP also issued a traffic alert due to the huge delays. Details here.
Share your photos and experience
Share your pictures at the grand-opening events here by clicking on the "Upload Photos and Videos" button on this post. Tell us what you're most excited for at the grand opening and share your experience visiting the new shopping center in the comments section below.
Store list and schedule of events
View a store list in the attached document. Here's a rundown of the scheduled grand-opening events this weekend:
Thursday, Nov. 8: Open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- 10 a.m.: Champagne & Confetti Grand Opening Ceremony, near Food Court ·
- 10 a.m.: Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley opens with limited-time offers, merchant giveaways, prize sweepstakes and entertainment
- 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Diablo’s VIP Grand Opening Party, near Brooks Brothers Factory Store
Friday, Nov.9: Open 10 a.m. to midnight
- Limited-time offers, merchant giveaways, prize sweepstakes and entertainment
Saturday, Nov. 10: Open 10 a.m. to midnight
- Limited-time offers, merchant giveaways, prize sweepstakes and entertainment
- 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association’s Sunset, Sip & Shop event
Sunday, Nov. 11: Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Limited-time offers, merchant giveaways, prize sweepstakes and entertainment “Even before our grand opening shoppers have the opportunity to join our exclusive Privilege Club at www.paragonoutletsLV.com. Becoming a member entitles shoppers to a complimentary VIP Coupon Book worth hundreds of dollars in extra savings,” said Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley Assistant General Manager Dave Ackerman.
